Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What makes an MPH field experience in public health unique?
2. What type of academic preparation and skills can I expect my student to have?
3. What are the student’s expectations of the field experience?
4. How many clock hours does the student spend in my agency?
5. When are students available?
6. Does the student expect to receive a salary or stipend? If so, how much?
7. What are my chances of getting a field experience student?
8. What is the role of the agency supervisor/preceptor?
9. Are students covered with health insurance or workman’s compensation?
10. How do I establish a field experience partnership with the MPH Program at KSU?
11. Are students available for short term or research projects?
For answers to questions not address below, please contact Dr. Michael Cates, MPH Program Director, (cates@k-state.edu, 785-532-2042) MPH Program Office, 311 Trotter Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
1. What makes an MPH field experience in public health unique?
A field experience in public health is the culmination of a student’s graduate education and allows them to apply the information they have learned in the classroom. This experience is required for all students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
Students work with their faculty advisor and agency preceptor to prepare an agreement that matches their learning objectives with the needs of the organization. The student is required to produce a final written product and present an oral summary of the experience before receiving their degree. Formal evaluation is conducted by the agency preceptor/mentor and the student’s supervisory committee.
The preceptor is expected to arrange a variety of experiences encompassing several public health disciplines, to provide opportunities for interaction with individuals and groups, to include the student in meetings and events for professional development, and to offer career advice and counsel as a mentor.
2. What type of academic preparation and skills can I expect my student to have?
The student is knowledgeable about the core functions of public health and has advanced knowledge in an area of emphasis (food safety, or infectious disease/zoonosis, or nutrition, or physical activity). At the time of the field experience, the student is enrolled in the MPH program at Kansas State University for 3, 4, or 6 credit hours. When possible the student is encouraged to complete all of the classroom courses before their field experience.
In addition, an individual student is likely to have skills in instructional media/technology, use of computer software programs for word processing, data entry, statistical analysis, and electronic presentations, or design of web pages, or development of survey instruments. As a minimum, each student will be teachable and able to function as an entry level professional to further the mission of your organization.
3. What are the student’s expectations of the field experience?
As a graduate student, he/she is expected to be treated as an entry-level employee who is an integral part of the work team. The student should be given work space, access to a phone and other technology equivalent to that provided other employees with similar responsibilities.
4. When is the student available?
Placement for field experience is very flexible to meet the needs of the student and organization. Generally, the field experience is on a fulltime basis either during one semester. When needed to accommodate schedules it can be part time and go two semesters.
5. How many clock hours does the student spend at my location?
Most students are required to complete 6 credit hours for their field experience which equals 480 clock hours (12 weeks at 40 hours per week or 16 weeks at 30 hours per week). Students completing a thesis will complete 3 credit hours which equals 240 clock hours.
6. Does the student expect to receive a salary or stipend? If so, how much?
Yes, if an agency is able to budget for a salary or stipend, the KSU Financial Aid Office recommends base monthly living expenses around $1000. Typically, many public health agencies are unable to provide a stipend, but they usually offer something unique and valuable to the student that cannot be found elsewhere. The student, however, has other financial aid options, such as scholarships, traineeships, fellowships, or other sources of support.
7. What are my chances of getting a field experience student?
Highly likely, students are very excited to get out in the real world and work in a public health setting. Please note that it is not always possible to predict which agency or organization a student will select as interests vary from student to student and from year to year. Some students will need to stay in the Manhattan area or within a reasonable commuting distance of KSU; others will seek experience in an international setting or in another part of Kansas or the United States.
Faculty encourage students to seek individuals, organizations and agencies that can provide a broad range of public health experiences, have recognized expertise in their area of emphasis, and demonstrate a willingness to provide leadership mentoring. The MPH Program Director will work with you to create a good fit between your agency and the student.
8. What is the role of the agency supervisor/preceptor?
The agency supervisor /preceptor should have expertise and experience in the student’s area of emphasis (food safety; infectious disease/zoonosis; nutrition; or physical activity) as well as an interest and competence in supervising and mentoring students. As the student’s supervisor, you may not necessarily be the one to provide direct supervision on the project, but you will be asked to provide:
9. Are students covered with health insurance or worker’s compensation?
Enrollment as a student at KSU during the period of the field experience qualifies them for health insurance coverage either through an independent policy or through their parent’s policy. Since the status of liability and worker’s compensation coverage is determined according to policies within each individual organization or agency, program faculty will work with the supervisor on a case by case basis.
10. How do I establish a field experience partnership with the MPH Program at KSU?
Please complete and submit the Request Form to Host an MPH Student, located under “Hosting an MPH Student” on the MPH Program website homepage. The form can be submitted electronically to Dr. Michael Cates, MPH Program Director, at cates@k-state.edu, or mailed to the MPH Program Office, 311 Trotter Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
11. Are students available for short term or research projects?
Yes! There are ample opportunities to work with MPH graduate students and faculty. If you have a part time position for work on a specific project, please contact us.