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Kansas State University

Field Experience in Public Health

Guidelines for Students:

  1. Introduction & Policy
  2. Requirements
  3. Approval Procedures
  4. Agency Field Experience Sites

Agencies and Preceptors Hosting an MPH Student:

  1. Frequently asked questions
  2. 10 reasons to host an MPH student
  3. Portable Document Format Field Experience Student Request Form (PDF File)

 

About:

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program provides a graduate student an opportunity to bridge professional academic preparation and public health practice through a supervised field experience. Knowledge and skills acquired in the five core public health courses and the area of emphasis-specific courses are applied in an agency under the supervision and mentoring of an experienced employee. The student gains first-hand experience with areas of public health for which future employment is sought and the host agency receives the benefit of a highly motivated individual who is eager to work in the field of public health. The field experience component of the MPH degree program plays a vital role in training students to assume public health leadership positions.

A well-designed field experience does the following:

  • Offers professional experience with continuous supervision
  • Applies to the student's area of interest and emphasis
  • Grants access to additional opportunities for leadership development, seminars, project development, etc.
  • Assures that the student receives an overview of many public health functions
  • Supplies a mentor who is committed to providing career advice and constructive feedback
  • Provides involvement in specific projects of which the student can take "ownership"

 

Credit hour/Clock hour Requirements:

For students completing the full field experience requirement in one block of time:
6 credit hours = 480 clock hours
This time requirement can be taken at 30 hours per week for 16 weeks during a fall or spring semester OR at 40 hours per week for 12 weeks during a summer session.

For students who need to spread the experience over a combination of two different semesters:
3 credit hours = 240 clock hours
This time requirement can be taken at 15 hours per week for 16 weeks during a fall or spring semester OR at 20 hours per week for 12 weeks during a summer session.

For students who are completing the Master's Report (2 credit hours) in combination with a field experience (4 credit hours):
4 credit hours = 320 clock hours
This time requirement can be taken at 20 hours per week for 16 weeks during a fall or spring semester OR at 40 hours per week for 8 weeks during a summer session.

 

Forms for Students:

Portable Document Format Field Experience in Public Health Agreement (PDF File)

Portable Document Format Field Experience Description (to be attached to the Agreement; PDF File)

Portable Document Format Student Evaluation of Field Experience Placement (PDF File)

Portable Document Format Agency Preceptor Evaluation of the Student (PDF File)