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Gillings MPH Practicum

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Partnering with communities from Lenoir to Lilongwe
UNC Gillings students are making a world of difference

Do you want to curb the opioid epidemic? Ensure better access to health care for all? Reduce and eliminate malaria in global settings?

These are just a few of the passions you can pursue through the Gillings MPH Practicum. We partner with communities and organizations from Lenoir County, N.C. to Lilongwe, Malawi, and we can help you gain the hands-on experience you need to attain your dreams.

Hayley Welgus works with her Save the Children colleagues.

The Gillings MPH Practicum

Students, faculty and alumni discuss the Gillings MPH Practicum.

Watch the video

Quick Links

Select the headings on the right to learn more about the MPH practicum requirements and opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students, preceptors, and faculty can find answers to their most frequently asked questions by selecting on the link below.

Submit a Practicum Opportunity

Have a practicum opportunity you would like to advertise to our students? Fill out the intake form below. Once approved, the MPH practicum team will advertise your opportunity in our weekly practicum opportunities newsletter and post the opportunity to our online practicum opportunity database.

Practicum Opportunities

AY 2020-2021 Gillings MPH Practicum Facts

Making a Difference in N.C.

Students worked in 17 counties in North Carolina

Around the Globe

Students worked in 17 countries

Partners

Students worked with over 215 organizations

Gillings MPH Practicum

This 200 (minimum) hour planned, mentored, and evaluated work experience (paid or unpaid) gives you the real-world opportunity to integrate and apply Year One of your Gillings MPH training in a professional public health setting such as a nonprofit organization, hospital, local or state health department, or for-profit firm (public or private sectors). You'll have support as you work to identify a partner and project, develop ideas that can benefit both you and your partner organization, and then bring these ideas to fruition. And upon completion, you will have a portfolio of products to show future employers.

Practicum Requirements

Prior to beginning the practicum, Gillings MPH students must complete SPHG 701, SPHG 711, SPHG 712, SPHG 713, SPHG 721, and SPHG 722 and receive permission from their practicum lead to begin their practicum hours.

To satisfy degree requirements, a Gillings MPH practicum must:

  • Be public health practice, research, and/or policy focused.
  • Allow for the application of graduate-level public health skills.
  • Yield at least two student-generated, practical, non-academic work products, produced for the practicum site’s use and benefit, that demonstrate attainment of five CEPH MPH foundational competencies.
  • Be mentored by a supervisor (preceptor) with an advanced degree in public health or related field or equivalent experience with expertise in the practicum project area.
  • Take place in a location approved for student travel (UNC Travel Policy), and the student must complete UNC Gillings International Pre-Departure Travel Requirements prior to travel if applicable.
  • Comprise a minimum of 200 hours (equivalent to five weeks of full-time work)

Questions?

Please email mphpracticum@unc.edu