PM 596: Public Health Practicum

This course was designed by: Dr. Shubha Kumar and Dr. Jane Steinberg

Practicum Director:
Jane Steinberg, Ph.D., MPH
Office: 312-A
Phone: (323) 442-8242
E-mail: janestei@usc.edu

Practicum Coordinator:
Carolina Lopez
Office: SSB 209-11
Phone: (323) 442-8275
E-mail: lope968@usc.edu

Course Background

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requires that MPH students complete a “planned, supervised, and evaluated practice experience.”1 The goal of the Public Health Practicum (PM 596) is to enrich students’ educational training in public health by providing an opportunity to apply theory and skills acquired from their courses to public health practice and/or research. Placement sites include community-based organizations; research, clinical and school based settings; and federal, state, local and/or international public health agencies and organizations. Students contribute to an agency’s resources and to the solution of public health problems while developing personal confidence and leadership as a public health professional.

1 Council on Education for Public Health. (Amended 2016) Accreditation Criteria: Schools of Public Health & Public Health Programs. Retrieved on December 21, 2017, from https://ceph.org/assets/2016.Criteria.pdf

Course Description

This is a required 1-unit course to earn your MPH degree. Students must complete 300 hours of supervised field-work experience.

Students are eligible for the practicum (PM 596) upon completion of at least 5 MPH courses. We strongly recommend that these 5 classes include 4 public health core classes and one track core class. One of the 5 MPH classes may be taken concurrently with PM 596. In addition, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to begin their practicum.

Learning Objectives

The objectives of the Public Health Practicum (PM 596) are to provide students with the following opportunities:

Types of Experiences

The content and scope of field training activities should be characteristic of those performed by an entry-level public health professional. Typical activities may include (but are not limited to):

Steps of the Practicum Process (All are Mandatory)

  1. Meet with the Practicum Coordinator to discuss possible practicum sites; follow up with faculty as needed.
  2. Submit the MPH Practicum Approval Form to receive approval of the practicum site of interest
  3. Submit the Student Legal Form (if applicable) and Affiliation Agreement (if applicable) prior to starting at the practicum site
  4. Submit any necessary forms according to the table below
  5. Submit Scope of Work signed by your Supervisor and Competency Checklist at the 50-hour mark to be reviewed by the instructor.
  6. Meet with the instructor to discuss progress during scheduled Live Sessions.
  7. Complete all the remaining practicum hours.
  8. Submit time card approximately every 2 weeks throughout your 300 hours. (be sure to view this important Timecard Instructions)
  9. Submit the completed Practicum e-Portfolio and all its components by the deadline.

Course Set-up

The structure of the course is unique in that it utilizes a blend of distance learning and performing your practicum at your practicum location. Course deliverables include a self-evaluation presentation and a practicum e-portfolio that will all be submitted online.

Sessions and Days of the Week

The course is divided into fifteen weeks. Due dates for assignments and discussions are stated in day numbers. Day 1 is Wednesday, the first day of the beginning of each weekly session.

Class Day Corresponding Week Day
Day 1 Wednesday
Day 2 Thursday
Day 3 Friday
Day 4 Saturday
Day 5 Sunday
Day 6 Monday
Day 7 Tuesday

Assignments are due no later than 11:55 p.m. in the Pacific Time zone on the day that is stated in the assignment page.

Course Requirements

Practicum Forms

Students must submit the following forms according to the schedule below. All forms are within the MPH Practicum Tab, Important Practicum Documents link.

Form Completed by Deadline Submit the form to
Practicum Approval Form Student Once a practicum site is found Practicum Coordinator & Practicum Director
Institutional Affiliation Agreement2 Field Agency Designee Prior to student beginning training hours Practicum Coordinator
Student Legal Form Student Prior to student beginning training hours (Note: the legal form must be received BEFORE starting at the site. Hours worked prior to submitting the form will not be counted) Practicum Coordinator
Release for Domestic or International Travel and/or Travel Information Student Prior to student beginning training hours Practicum Coordinator
Time Card Student; approved by Field Supervisor Submitted by student and approved by Field Supervisor every two weeks Practicum Coordinator
Scope of Work3 and MPH Competency Checklist Student; with Scope of Work signed by Field Supervisor Prior to student attainment of 50 hours of a 300 hour practicum* (Note: the scope of work, and competency checklist must be received at the 50 hour mark. Hours worked after 50 hours will not be counted unless these documents are submitted on time.) Practicum Director & Practicum Coordinator
Field Supervisor’s Evaluation of Student Field Supervisor At the conclusion of field training hours Emailed directly to Practicum Coordinator by the Practicum Site Supervisor

1 Needed only if agency is not currently listed on list of MPH affiliated sites OR field supervisor is new
2 Needed only if agency is not currently listed on list of MPH affiliated sites
3 A draft scope of work must be submitted before submitting the final practicum learning contract.

Field Training Hours

Students must secure a field placement prior to enrollment in PM 596, or at least prior to the add/drop deadline (3rd week of the semester). The exact hours and days worked will be negotiated between the student and the field supervisor.

Students will complete a timesheet approximately every two weeks which should be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator via the Practicum Tab.

Mid-Practicum Assessment

Students must meet with the faculty instructor during scheduled Live Sessions to discuss the progress of their practicum to ensure satisfactory completion of all the practicum requirements.

Practicum e-Portfolio

The practicum e-portfolio is a collection of materials personally developed by students as evidence of their accomplishments and commitment to the field of public health. The contents demonstrate an application and mastery of the program competencies. The purpose of the e-portfolio is to demonstrate that students have engaged in a self-reflection of their practicum experience and to showcase to others—potential employers, for example—their capabilities as future public health professionals. The following documents comprising the e-portfolio should be uploaded as separate documents:

  1. Scope of Work
    • Tips for Writing Goals and Objectives
    • Sample Scope of Work
    • Instructions for Creating the Scope of Work
  2. Competency Checklist
    • Competency Checklist
  3. Self-Evaluation Presentation
    • The self-evaluation presentation should be submitted as a Zoom recording including a PowerPoint and video of you delivering your presentation of no more than 8-10 minutes in length.
    • Upon conclusion of your field training hours, describe how this Practicum has contributed to your understanding of public health and public health practice.
    • Identify and assess the extent to which the general public health competencies and the track-specific competencies you chose were synthesized and integrated during the Practicum. Assess the extent to which you have achieved the objectives outlined in your scope of work. Guidelines for the Self-Evaluation Final Presentation (PDF)
  4. Sample Work/Deliverable
    • Attach documents/materials you have produced as a result of your practicum. Examples of acceptable documents include: surveys, health education materials, reports, proposals, presentations, etc

MPH Practicum Overview

Practicum Eligibility

Recommended preparation for this course is completion of two of the five following core courses: PM 501 (Foundations in Health Education and Promotion), PM 508 (Health Service Delivery), PM 510 (Biostatistics), PM 512 (Epidemiology), PM 564 (Leadership); AND at least one MPH concentration course. One of the three courses may be taken concurrently with Practicum (PM 596). In addition, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to begin their practicum.

If you choose to begin your practicum prior to officially enrolling in the PM 596 course, you must notify the Practicum Coordinator and, if your practicum is approved, upload your materials using the “My Practicum” tab in Moodle. However, once you enroll in PM 596, it will be your responsibility to upload all materials (including any revisions needed) in the course space and e-portfolio.

Timeline and Forms

Once you have met the eligibility requirements, the following timeline should be followed:

  1. At least six months before you want to begin your practicum:
    1. View Practicum Orientation video
    2. Complete the MPH Practicum Interest Form
    3. Meet with the Practicum Coordinator to discuss the Student Interest Form
    4. Begin searching for a practicum site that is related to your MPH track competencies.
  2. Once you find a practicum site:
    1. Submit the MPH Practicum Approval Form
    2. The Practicum Coordinator will review your form with the instructor and you should receive an email response in approximately 7 -10 business days stating whether your practicum has been approved
  3. When your practicum has been approved:
    Email the following to the Practicum Coordinator:
    1. Student Legal Form
    2. Scanned copy of your health insurance card
    3. Note: You must submit the Legal Form and the copy of your health insurance card before you working at your practicum site. We will only count the hours you accrue after these items have been received.
    4. Submit timesheets approximately every 2 weeks throughout your 300 hours.
  4. Once you have completed 50 hours:
    1. Upload the following:
      1. Practicum Learning Contract
      2. Scope of Work (use the sample Scope of Work as a template)
      3. MPH Competency Checklist
      4. Note: any hours you work past 50 hours will not be counted if the aforementioned documents are not received.
  5. In Week 15 of the course, submit your self-evaluation presentation.
  6. Upon completion of all your hours
    1. Upload the following items to the e-portfolio in Moodle:
      1. “Practicum Forms”
        1. Student legal form
        2. Copy of your health insurance card
      2. “Scope of Work”
        1. Practicum Learning Contract
        2. MPH Competency Checklist
        3. Scope of Work
      3. “Self-Evaluation Final Presentation”
        1. Self-evaluation presentation
      4. “Sample Work/Deliverable”
        1. All sample work/deliverables you created during your practicum would go in this folder (i.e., PowerPoint presentations, pamphlets, surveys)

*Your Field Supervisor Evaluation Form must be completed by your field supervisor preceptor and he/she must email it directly to the Practicum Coordinator by the end of the semester.

Grading Policy

Students will be given a grade of Credit (CR)/No Credit (NC) by the Faculty Instructor based on feedback from the Field Supervisor and the content of the Practicum e-Portfolio. All course requirements, assignments, and forms must be completed in order to receive a grade of Credit (CR). Unsatisfactory completion of the course requirements will result in a mark of No Credit (NC).

Live Sessions

This course will include occasional Live Sessions designed to provide an opportunity for you to share information about your practicum and any insights/challenges as you progress through your project with the faculty instructor and your peers.

Attendance at all Live Sessions is strongly encouraged for your successful completion of the course.

Please review the Orientation to Using Zoom for details on how to attend a Live Session.

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity: Students should maintain strict adherence to standards of academic integrity, as described in SCampus). In particular, the University recommends strict sanctions for plagiarism, defined below:

11.11 Plagiarism

  1. Presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words, is an academic offense with serious consequences. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct.
  2. The submission of material subjected to editorial revision by another person that results in substantive changes in content or major alteration of writing style.
  3. Improper acknowledgment of sources in essays or papers.

Note: Culpability is not diminished when plagiarism occurs in drafts that are not the final version. Also, if any material is prepared or submitted by another person on the student's behalf, the student is expected to proofread the results and is responsible for all particulars of the final draft.

Source: SCampus University Governance, Section 11 Behavior Violating University Standards; For the full text please see SCampus Policy.

USC Policies on Accessibility for Online Courses

The University of Southern California is dedicated to maintaining an environment that ensures that all students with documented disabilities, including deafness, ADHD, dyslexia, visual impairments, mental health disorders and other disabilities, have equal access to its educational programs, activities and facilities. This policy covers all students at USC and in distance learning programs. The accommodations are designed to level the playing field for students with disabilities, while maintaining the integrity and standards of USC’s academic programs.

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Examples of typical accommodations include assistance in providing note-takers, sign language interpreters, real-time captionists, readers, scribes, advocacy with faculty, accommodated exam proctoring, alternative text formats, adaptive technology, referrals to community resources, support groups and other support services for individual needs unique to a student’s disability. DSP encourages you to contact their office early in the semester to discuss individual needs and arrange appropriate support services and strategies. More information on these policies is available in the Disability Services and Programs website.

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is sent to the professor as early in the semester as possible. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776. The on-campus office is located in GFS 120 and is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Support Systems

Counseling and Mental Health - (213) 740-9355 – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) - (213) 740-9355(WELL), press “0” after hours – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.

Office of Equity and Diversity (OED)| Title IX OED - (213) 740-5086 | Title IX – (213) 821-8298
Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.

Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment- (213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298
Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office of Equity and Diversity |Title IX for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.

Office of Disability Services and Programs- (213) 740-0776
Support and accommodations for students with disabilities. Services include assistance in providing readers/notetakers/interpreters, special accommodations for test taking needs, assistance with architectural barriers, assistive technology, and support for individual needs.

USC Campus Support and Intervention – (213) 821-4710
Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.

Diversity at USC
Tabs for Events, Programs and Training, Task Force (including representatives for each school), Chronology, Participate, Resources for Students

USC Emergency UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call
Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.

USC Department of Public Safety UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-120 – 24/7 on call
Non-emergency assistance or information.

Library Access

As a MPH student, you have access to all the library resources. The Norris Medical Library Librarian, Jennifer E. Dinalo, is available to assist you with any inquiries you may have.

Check your System Compatibility

To verify that you have the appropriate hardware and software, please log in to the course to launch the Browser Test Page.

Technical Support

Assistance to resolve technical problems is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Please note that this service is restricted primarily to problems associated with the functionality of the course delivery platform.

Contact the Help Desk staff for assistance to resolve problems you believe are not associated with the computer hardware and software you have purchased from a vendor.

Examples of problems that fall within this category are:

If you are not sure whether the problem is due to your computer system, contact the Help Desk for guidance; otherwise, contact the vendor.

To talk to a live technical support agent, please call the following number:

Toll-free 877-646-1885
Support Center http://usc.echelp.org
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