Practicum Experience in Population-based Health
(Guidelines for Part-time/Internet-based Students)

All CEPH accredited MPH programs require that students obtain a significant practicum experience in population-based health prior to graduation.  A practicum experience involves a mentored, hands-on experience working and interacting with public health professionals.  Some students will have had significant experiences prior to becoming an MPH student.  However, other students without such prior experience are expected to do so during their course of study.  The MPH Program will contact students without adequate prior experience once they matriculate into the program.  These students will need to complete a practicum during their time enrolled in the MPH Program.  At the conclusion of the project, a brief written summary of the experience may be required by the student's faculty advisor or practicum mentor.

The goal of the MPH mentored practicum is to have a practical public health experience that provides mentoring, contact with public health professionals, and the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way.  Although the duration and intensity of commitment is variable and flexible depending on the practicum situation, it is expected that students should earn at least 2 units of academic credit under the mentorship of a Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty or approved outside mentor.  A general guideline is that the practicum requires a commitment of about 48 hours.

The practicum may also be used by students as an experience on which to build on for their capstone project.

Opportunities for Practicum Experiences in the MPH Program

If you have convenient access to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, you may be able to have a practicum experience by participating in one of the several selected classes or internship opportunities offered by JHSPH programs listed below. 

• Mentored practicums with the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and local health departments.  This program, known as PHASE, is a structured internship running 2nd-4th terms.  Selection of students occur in the 1st term.  Students sign up for academic credit in 2nd term (1 unit) and 3rd term (2-4 units) and 4th term (2-4 units).  Click here for additional information about the Public Health Applications for Student Experience.
• Mentored practicums with community-based organizations in Baltimore.  This program, in collaboration with SOURCE (Student Outreach Resource Center), and the Applied Public Health Program provide opportunities for students to work with various Baltimore-based community organizations and local health departments in our region.  Students enroll 2nd and 3rd terms for between 1-4 units each term.  Click here for additional information about the Baltimore Community Practicum course.
• Mentored practicum in health care epidemiology and outbreak investigation.  A limited number of internships are available in infection control and outbreak
  investigation at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Students enroll for at least 2 units of academic credit.
• Courses with significant practicum component.  Completion of any of the courses below (taken for a letter grade) could satisfy the practicum.
  Health and Homelessness (410.610): Lee Bone, 3rd term, 3 units
  Ethnographic Fieldwork (410.690): Lori Leonard, 3rd term, 4 units
  Applications in Program Monitoring and Evaluation (380.612), Clea McNeely, 4th term, 4 units
  Occupational Health (188.681): Jackie Agnew and Peter Lees, 4th term, 5 units
  Health Survey Research Methods (340.717): Susan Sherman and Vivian Go, 2nd term, 4 units
• Population, Family and Reproductive Health Internship Resource List.  The Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health maintains a list of 
  local, national, and international opportunities related to population and family health. 

Alternatively, regardless of your geographic area, you may develop your own practicum opportunity.  These customized opportunities are developed in collaboration with Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty and a local onsite public health professional.  The practicum experience should be approved by the participating faculty member, who oversees your work and awards special studies MPH practicum academic credit that counts toward your degree.  Click here to see some examples of student practicum experiences in the Baltimore area in past years.

The School may be affiliated with opportunities in your area.  Please contact  David Earle for more information.

Logistics for Signing Up for the MPH Practicum Special Studies

The MPH practicum special studies course numbers are xxx.895.  The 3-digit prefix number is determined by the primary department of your faculty practicum supervisor (check with the course catalog and your advisor).  You can determine the department affiliation of any faculty in the School by clicking here.

If your practicum supervisor does not have a primary appointment in the School of Public Health but has a joint appointment in a SPH department, then use that department affiliation.  If no joint appointment or outside JHU, then use your advisor's department.  If you are still uncertain, check with the MPH Program office.

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