Public Health Field Practicum

Course Description

The public health field practicum is a culminating experience to demonstrate public health competencies through practical application of knowledge and skills. The 8-week (4.5 unit) course has several requirements including official documentation of at least 120 hours of approved public health experience, an electronic portfolio, a capstone paper and a presentation. Documentation of approved hours can begin up to 9 months in advance after participating in orientation and receiving written approval from Lead Faculty (For more information email [email protected]). Students are expected to initiate contact and interview with public health preceptors from currently affiliated agencies or full-time faculty in the Department of Community Health. Students may also request an affiliation agreement for a new agency including a current employer. Students seeking experience from their current employer must demonstrate that duties are separate from current job duties. Students may work with one or more preceptors according to interests, abilities, and availability and may complete approved certifications towards accumulation public health experience. Grading is S/U only. Course is IP eligible.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply theoretical concepts of public health in a specific practice setting.
  • Demonstrate practical knowledge and skills necessary for competent public health practice.
  • Competently apply knowledge and skills to a public health program in an organizational environment.
  • Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional relationships with agency staff and the target audiences of the agency.
  • Apply needs assessment, program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills to public health programs.
  • Apply effective communication and advocacy strategies to promote health.
  • Assess a given population’s health status based on an ecological approach incorporating biological, psychological, social and systems dimensions to address community health problems.
  • Apply a variety of health promotion methodologies to address a given health problem in a given population group.

Prerequisites

  • COH100
  • COH300
  • COH310
  • COH315
  • COH317
  • COH318
  • COH319
  • COH320
  • COH321
  • COH380
  • COH400
  • COH401
  • COH412
  • COH416
  • COH422
  • COH430
  • COH435
  • COH440

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