1. MPH Practicum overview February 13, 2018
Michael McLeod, JD, MPH Amanda Compton

2. Overview What is the practicum? Outline of the course
Use of Intern Placement Tracking Software (IPT)

3. What is the practicum?
As a requirement established by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), All professional degree students must develop skills in basic public health concepts and demonstrate the application of these concepts through a practicum experience that is relevant to the students’ areas of specialization. (CEPH, School of Public Health Accreditation Criteria, Amended June 2016)

4. Practicum goal A “bridge” from classroom to public health practice
To synthesize, integrate, and apply practical skills, knowledge, and training learned through courses
To learn by doing public health work that benefits the practicum site

5. Practicum sites should…
Have a public health mission (or department/section with such a mission)
Address significant public health problems
Offer students the opportunity to engage with experienced preceptors
Be local, state, federal, or international agencies or organizations

6. Preceptors should… Be employed by the host organization
Have at least five years of public health professional experience
Have a graduate degree in public health or a closely-related field
If not, should have more years of experience

7. Course requirements Required of all MPH students
All placements must meet minimum standards established by CEPH
Planned
Supervised
Evaluated
Students must complete a minimum of 135 hours

8. Course requirements Conducted in a public health setting
Under the supervision of an experienced public health professional
Tailored to program-specific competencies

9. What is ipt?
Software used to manage students throughout their practicum
Before placement, students will use IPT to review sites to prepare for placement meeting with the Practicum Director
After placement, students will use IPT to upload ALL course documents/assignments (e.g., Approval Form, Learning Contract)

10. Selection and registration
Complete all pre-requisites (if admitted prior to 2017)
FPH 7010 Urban Community Health Assessment and Planning
FPH 7240 Epidemiology I
FPH 7015 Biostatistics I
FPH 7100 Health Care Administration and Organization
FPH 7320 Social Basis of Health Care
FPH 7420 Principles of Environmental Health
Complete the Practicum Development Form

11. Selection and registration
Meet with Faculty Advisor to complete Practicum Approval Form
Complete CITI training, TB screening, and CV/resumé
Meet with Practicum Director
Complete course registration
Meet with potential Site Preceptor

12. The learning contract
Establishes the expectations, deliverables, and timeline before the start of the practicum
Describes scope of work
Learning objectives
Activities
Deliverables
Competencies
Timeline

13. Practicum showcase Scheduled one per semester
Required of each practicum student
Draft abstract and poster required, feedback provided
Each student expected to deliver three-minute presentation about the practicum experience
Preceptors encouraged to attend

14. Abstract Developed using the Practicum Abstract Form 250 words or less
Will be published

15. poster
Choose a template provided through School of Medicine, imaging/

16. Executive summary
Logical and clear statement of how the practicum advanced your learning
Brief description of how your work contributed to the practicum site
Use non-technical language
Limit to two pages

17. Evaluations Practicum Midpoint Review signed by student and preceptor
Student evaluation due by end of semester
Preceptor evaluation due by end of semester

18. Performance rating scale
Score 5: Exceptional
Score 4: Exceeds Expectations
Score 3: Meets Expectations
Score 2: Needs Improvement
Score 1: Unsatisfactory

19. Assessment and grading
Pass/Fail
Completion of a minimum of 135 contact hours
Completion of all deliverables, including: Learning Contract, Midpoint Review, Executive Summary, Abstract, Poster Presentation, Student Evaluation, and Preceptor Evaluation
Achieve an overall performance score of 3 or above on the Preceptor Evaluation

20. Save the date
April 17, :00 PM-5:00 PM 3939 Woodward Avenue, 2nd Floor Conference Room

21. Practicum tips Finish the practicum in the semester that you begin
Consider using the practicum as a bridge for doing MPH project at same site

22. Thank you!
Michael McLeod, JD, MPH, Practicum Director Amanda Compton, Practicum & Community Engagement Coordinator