Enrollment and Hour Requirements:
Students enroll for field experience credit in public health through their major advisor using the course number in their area of emphasis. However, the faculty advisor for the field experience does not have to be the student’s major professor. A faculty member other than the advisor of record may be in a better position to provide guidance in finding and benefitting from the best site placement. The faculty member who assists with the placement will continue to serve as the university supervisor during the field experience.
The preferred arrangement for the field experience is at the end of the coursework. In extenuating situations it may be necessary for the experience to be spread over two semesters, either fall and spring or spring and summer. For a fulltime field experience of 6 credit hours, 480 clock hours need to be worked in the agency setting. This is equivalent to 80 clock hours for each 1 credit hour.
A student who elects to do a combination of a Thesis (6 credit hours) or Master’s Report (4 credit hours) plus a field experience for 3 credit hours, would work 240 clock hours in the agency. During the summer semester, the field experience could be fulltime (40 hours per week) for a period of 12 weeks, or a total of 480 clock hours. Three credit hours taken during a fall or spring semester would be 16 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 240 clock hours.
According to university policy, international students must complete an additional form for the International Student Office on campus before beginning their field experience.
Reference: MPH Graduate handbook 12.11.3