Dr.P.H. Field Practicum

Curriculum Requirements  Course Descriptions   Dr.P.H. Handbook (pdf)   Field Practicum Capstone Guidelines 

Practice is critical to education. As a professional degree, the Dr.P.H. program values field experience as an integral part of the educational goals. The Dr.P.H. degree curriculum includes two supervised public health field experiences. Field experiences will be consistent with the Association of Schools of Public Health Council of Public Health Practice Coordinators report Demonstrating Excellence in Academic Public Health Practice.

Purpose of Field Practicum

The purpose of the field requirement is to encourage exposure to professional public health practice and the application of didactic knowledge and problem solving in the field. The two doctoral field experiences are required of all students regardless of prior work experience. Doctoral Field Experience I (two hours) will be an introductory one semester, experience for a total of 120 contact hours. Doctoral Field Experience II (four hours) will be an advanced one semester experience for a total of 240 hours. The field experience time periods are set as minimum expectations; it is assumed that some students will elect to expand their field work activities. The experience may complement prior work experience, but students will normally be placed in public health settings doing work other than that which they are employed to do. It is possible to complete a work experience in the student's current work place; however, it must be different activity than employment. Placements will be coordinated with the UKCPH Practicum Director in a variety of settings including local health departments, the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the federal government and other public health settings.

II. Prerequisites

Prior to enrolling in Doctoral Field Experience I, the student: must have:

1. selected art area of concentration;
2. completed at least 39 credit. horns or on approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
3. completed the courses designated by the academic advisor as necessary to the particular field practicum assignment;
4. completed all arrangements with the practicum director and the site preceptor, and
5. obtained the approval of the academic advisor or the Dr.P.H. program director.

III. General Policy

1. One semester's credit hour win be equal to a minimum of 60 completed field practicum hours.
2. Upon completion of the appropriate field practicum hours and after completing all required reports with the practicum director, the student will he given a grade for CPH 997.

B. Student Responsibilities

Student duties are to:

1. In consultation and on approval of the practicum director, determine an appropriate field practicum assignment; 
2. Sign a learning contract with the preceptor including objectives and major tasks to be completed during the practicum. This must be forwarded to the practicum director within one week of beginning the practicum;
3. Confer with the preceptor on a regular basis;
4. Confer with the practicum director on a regular basis and inform the director of any problems which may arise;
5. Write interim reports (approx. every 40 hours) on the practicum experience and submit to the practicum director via email or fax.
6. Complete, at the conclusion of the practicum experience, the final report and request preceptor evaluation.

IV. Evaluation

For a more comprehensive discussion of policy and procedures regarding the field practicum experience, and copies of all forms, students and faculty should consult the Field Practicum Manual. (See Appendix II)