PENN STATE MPH - Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

PENN STATE MPHMY PRACTICUMPHS 895A: MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNSHIPThe Penn State Master of Public Health (MPH) program requires that all students complete three credits ofpracticum experience prior to graduation. The practicum provides students with a unique opportunity to gainprofessional experience and apply knowledge, competencies, and skills learned in the classroom to real-worldpublic health settings and real-time public health issues.‣ Students are matched with Practicum Sites based on academic andprofessional interests and goals.‣ At each Practicum Site, students are guided by an on-site Preceptor.‣ The Preceptor supervises the student’s practicum experience, monitors,and mentors student.Is the practicum paid or unpaid? The practicum is for academic credit and is a requirement for graduation.Practicum hosts are not expected to pay students; however, sites may elect to pay MPH students.What do I do at my site? Students complete their practicum experiences at Practicum Sites and work onprojects that (1) contribute to their growth as future public health professionals and (2) help advance themission of the sites at which they are placed.Semester Practicum Site Location DescriptionSummer Pennsylvania Department of HealthMPH student assessed the preparedness of the stateHarrisburg, PA2012 Bureau of Health Planninghealth department for national accreditation.Summer2012Biochemistry Industry Organization(BIO)Washington,D.C.MPH student developed communication systems for globalrelations.University of Pennsylvania SchoolSummerPhiladelphia, MPH student evaluated a local county community dentalof Dental Medicine Department of2012PAprogram and a developed a program plan.Community HealthSummer2012Penn State College of MedicineGlobal Health CenterHershey, PAand HaitiStudent prepared a program plan for communityvaccination program at a PSU Global Health site in Haiti.Fall 2012Penn State Center for NutritionStudent currently assessing community need for obesityHershey, PAActivity and Promotionprevention program in a local county school system.Fall 2012 Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg, PA Student will develop and train health promotion programs.717-531-1502 - mphprogram@phs.psu.edu - www.mphprogram.psu.edu

StudentPreceptorPracticumDirectorPRACTICUM SITE: The public health agency, organization, orinstitution that Penn State MPH student completes thepracticum experience.PRECEPTOR: A staff member, employed by the Practicum Site,who supervises and mentors the Penn State MPH student onsite during the practicum experience.PRACTICUM DIRECTOR: The Penn State MPH programrepresentative who oversees the MPH program’s practicumrequirement.Upon successful completion of the practicum, students will be able to:1) Describe the vision, mission, purpose, goals, objectives, and function of the organization inwhich they have been placed.2) Explain the relationship between the organization in which they have been placed and thecommunity in which it operates.3) Identify the basic personnel structure and professional qualifications of employees of theorganization in which they have been placed.4) Collect and summarize data relevant to the public health issue addressed in the practicum.5) Contribute to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a specific public health project.6) Self-assess their professional public health knowledge and skills identifying their strengthsand areas for growth.7) Analyze the professional and personal skills and characteristics necessary for success in thisparticular work setting.8) Apply one or more MPH core competency with the skill expected in a work setting.9) Apply one or more area of specialization competency with the skill expected in a work setting.10) Demonstrate professional work habits.11) Effectively participate in and contributeto a public health practice team.12) Communicate effectively both inwriting and orally.Penn State MPH Practicum ContactTeresa Kern, PhD, Practicum DirectorAssociate Director for EvaluationAssistant Professor of Public Health Sciencestkern@psu.edu - 717-531-2004717-531-1502 - mphprogram@phs.psu.edu - www.mphprogram.psu.edu