An integral part of the USC MPH program is the practicum, a structured and supervised professional experience with an approved agency for which students receive academic credit. As a working partnership between students and public health agencies, the field training experience offers students a rotation through an area of public health practice in a county, state, federal or community based agency. The goal of the practicum is to further students' practical experience while enhancing the work of public health. Through field training and the associated grant writing seminar, students have the opportunity to demonstrate an integration of coursework into a real-world setting, preparing them for a professional career in public health.
Eligibility and Waiver Criteria
Students are eligible for the practicum upon completion of all MPH core and track core coursework.
The practicum has a variable unit (4/8) and hour requirement (200/400).
Automatic waivers will be given to students enrolled in one of the USC MPH professional dual degree programs (i.e., MD/MPH, PharmD/MPH, PhD, Clinical Psychology/MPH or PPDPT/MPH). Dual degree students register for 4 units of PM 593 and complete 200 field training hours. No additional paperwork is necessary.
Students with previous public health employment may be eligible for a waiver of hours. Applications will only be considered if students can verify three years of continuous, paid, public health employment prior to enrollment in the MPH program. Students receiving a waiver due to previous public health experience register for 8 units of PM 593 and complete 200 hours.
Public health work involves organized community-based efforts. Clinical experience involving individual patient care or health facility administration is not considered relevant public health experience.
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