Applied Practice Experience

An applied practice experience is required of all Master of Public Health students.  The purpose of this course (IPHS 650) is for students to acquire experience and develop practical skills in the application of public health competencies and concepts.  After completing the integrated core curriculum consisting of IPHS 401, IPHS 402 (404/405), and IPHS 403, the applied practice experience provides an opportunity for students to:

  • apply the content and analytical skills of MPH degree coursework to issues, situations, contexts, and projects associated with the experience.
  • gain or enhance knowledge or skills related to public health competencies.
  • use journaling as a mode of inquiry, reflection, and learning.
  • create a synopsis to summarize the activities and products from the experience.

Students will work under the supervision of a preceptor, a practicing public health professional with an advanced degree in public health who are generally mid-management or higher at an organization, generally with three or more years experience post-masters degree.

Experiential Learning & APE opportunities

Current Microinternship & Service opportunities

Applied practice experiences around the world Heading link

Global health applied practice experience builds maternal health policies
Monday, November 8, 2021
Tcherna Halpern's global health applied practice experience focused on building health policies for the World Federation of Public Health Associations to address maternal mortality.
An aerial view of the barangay of Poblacion on the island of Banton, within the province of Romblon.
Alumna Builds Emergency Preparedness Capacity in the Philippines
Friday, June 26, 2020
Alumna Ysabelle Burgos completed her global applied practice experience in the Philippines, focusing on emergency preparedness in the nation she grew up in.
Benjamin Tate poses for a photo at Boeing's Everett, Washington plant.
AP Experience at Boeing Builds Industrial Hygiene Skills
Monday, March 16, 2020
MPH student Benjamin Tate worked at Boeing's Renton, Washington factory, ensuring healthy work conditions for employees working in confined spaces and noisy environments.

MPH Students in Action Heading link

  1. MPH student Sampada Mudgalkar inspects a package containing a human skull and bones at the O'Hare CDC quarantine station.
    Sampada Mudgalkar, MPH in Community Health Sciences student, completed her applied practice experience at the CDC Quarantine Station at O'Hare International Airport, tracking controlled substances and objects brought into the country.
  2. MPH student Colin Hendrickson poses for a picture in front of a solar powered water disinfection station in Kenya, holding up two vials of water.
    Colin Hendrickson, MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences student, completed his global applied practice experience in Kenya, working with SPH's Dr. Samuel Dorevitch researching solar-powered water disinfection.
  3. Cortney Alleyne poses for a picture standing outside the UI Health Sickle Cell Center office.
    Cortney Alleyne, MPH in Community Health Sciences student, completed her applied practice experience at the UI Health Sickle Cell Center, analyzing what motivates or discourages sickle cell disease patients to participate or not participate in research studies.
  4. Paris Bates sits at a table with UI Cancer Center staff during a meeting.
    Paris Bates (right side of table, far end), MPH in Epidemiology student, interned at the UI Cancer Center, exploring cancer disparities among African American men in Chicago's south and west sides, particularly assessing for lifestyle risk factors associated with diet and tobacco use.
  5. Muhammad Ullah poses for a picture sitting at his desk at the Chicago Department of Public Health.
    Muhammad Saif Ullah, MPH in Community Health Sciences student, worked at the Chicago Department of Public Health's Office of Violence Prevention and Behavioral Health for his applied practice experience, preparing for accreditation of Chicago mental health centers.