SPH Applied Practice Experience

Graduate Requirements

Effective through Summer 2022 required hours for internship credit has been reduced for all courses: PH 497 (124 hours); PH 650R (120 hours); PH 650/PH 750 (160 hours); PH 850 (160 hours).

1. Completed Foundations of Public Health Module – MPH/MS/JDP students must first complete the Foundations of Public Health modules on Canvas prior to requesting PH 650R approval. This is a collection of online readings, activities and quizzes designed to provide students with foundational knowledge in the profession and science of public health and factors related to public health. This involves five lectures, readings, and quizzes (estimated time for all activities is approx. 10 hours).


2. PH 650R (3 units) is required for graduation for all MPH divisions including dual students. This is a course that includes two components:
   1. Internship - Requires completion of 120 hours (approximately 8-9 hours/week if completed in a regular fall or spring semester).
   2. Interprofessional Education (IPE) – This experience will offer the experience to work inter-professionally and gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other professional disciplines (i.e., nursing, social work, etc.), communicating effectively across teams, merging professional expertise, and collaborating to improve health outcomes for our communities. The IPE involves three lectures, readings, two quizzes, an online case study module and a group project presentation (estimated time for all activities is approx. 20 hours).
   
   NOTE: Students registering for PH 650R will need to 1) identify three Foundational Public Health Competencies and two concentration-specific competencies and 2) products they will achieve/develop by the end of their internship (i.e. research paper, educational materials, social media graphics, etc.).


3. Additional units of internship credit (PH 650, PH 750) may be approved as prescribed electives for your division. Up to 12 combined units for all internship credit is allowed.
   
   IMPORTANT: It is highly recommended that you review your division-specific Road Map and speak to your faculty advisor for guidance regarding best time to register for PH 650R or other applied practice credit.


4. Criteria for site approval includes:
   • Internship project is aligned with public health competencies and program learning outcomes.
   • There is an established Service Learning Agreement (SLA) with the site. A comprehensive list of all SDSU SLA’s can be found here.
     If the site is not listed, contact the Applied Practice Advisor to initiate the SLA process.
   • Appropriate sites include, but not limited to, hospitals, managed care organizations, health care organizations, government agencies, community organizations, research institutions, advocacy and policy programs, and private institutions. Internships with academic research centers or institutes may be approved; however, PH 650R credit requires that the research project be one that would allow the student to perform duties involving significant engagement with community members and/or organizations outside of the academic institution.


5. Students in paid positions working in a public health or related role may be eligible to receive credit for hours if:
   1. employment is six months or less and duties and/or project align with the MPH Overview of Competencies.
   2. employment is more than six months and there is an agreement with supervisor to work on a public health project with duties different from regular duties
   
   Students must submit the Employer Verification of Internship Requirements to the Applied Practice Advisor for approval BEFORE submitting the Request for Applied Practice Approval.


6. The internship primary duties and responsibilities should be aligned with the MPH Public Health Competencies.
   
   NOTE: While it is expected that most positions will include general office duties, the majority of the time should be spent assisting with designing, implementing or evaluating a public health project or program.


7. Students are required to submit the following assignments by the general due dates listed below (actual dates provided at the start of the semester):
   
   Prior to Starting Internship and/or Registering for Credit
   • Release of Liability
   • Internship Agreement
   Final’s week
   • Final Log of hours (incomplete grades will be given to those who do not complete the hours)
   • Final Student Evaluation
   • Final Supervisor Evaluation