Start early! Although the Professional Practice Experience occurs during the last semester of your MPH Degree Program, it is important to begin planning and preparing early to enhance your experience. Talk to your Faculty Mentor, start networking, and make an appointment with a SPH-B Career Coach.
There are many resources to help you explore and select a site for your PPE. Discuss your ideas and research sites with your PPE Instructor, MPH Academic Advisor, MPH faculty & staff, other IUB campus faculty, your peers, colleagues, other public health professionals, and the internet. Contact SPH-B Career coaches in the SPH-B Office of Career Services and explore internship opportunities. It is important that students select a PPE site and preceptor that meets their academic and career objectives, and the PPE SPH-X 696 requirements.
The IU Alumni Association has resources to help you connect with MPH Alumni through a program where students can search for MPH Alumni who are willing to help MPH students. Access this service through the IU Alumni Association.
Students may be able to complete their PPE at their current place of employment. However, this option must be discussed and approved by the PPE Instructor before internship planning begins. Approval is not guaranteed. To be considered, the organization must provide public health services, the preceptor must meet PPE requirements, and the internship projects must be distinct from the student's regular job responsibilities. PPE activities must provide new learning opportunities and demonstrate graduate-level public health competencies.
As you search, think about:
- What type of position do I aspire to after graduation?
- What type of public health agency do I wish to work in after graduation?
- What experience and/or skill gaps must I close in order to be promoted or hired into my desired career position?
- Where can I get the needed experience and skills to increase my chances of securing my desired career position?
- Does this agency offer opportunities to help me achieve my learning goals and objectives?
- Will this agency expand my current skills and knowledge levels?
- What types of projects will I be involved with?
- Do I want to work directly with the clients or the community, or do I want to work behind the scenes?
- Can I afford, financially and emotionally, to do this particular PPE?
- Do I plan to relocate to a different city after graduation?
- What are the opportunities for networking?
- Is there a chance I will be hired at the agency or an affiliated agency once I have completed my PPE?
- Do they offer any stipends or salary during the PPE?
If you want to complete your PPE internationally, talk with your coordinator early.
There are 2 separate PPE courses that all MPH students will take during their MPH Degree Program.
- The first course SPH-X 695 is a 1 credit course that is taken the semester before actually doing the PPE at the public health agency with the site Preceptor. This course is designed to help students and the PPE Instructor prepare for the PPE semester. Graded on S/F basis only.
- The second section SPH-X 696 is a 3 credit course when the student completes the PPE. Graded on S/F basis only. The required prerequisites for this course are:
- successful completion of all core and required MPH courses with a passing grade of C or higher
- successful completion of the 1 credit SPH-X 696 Preparing for the PPE course with a passing grade of Satisfactory
- a current graduate GPA of at least 3.0
- and permission of the PPE Instructor.
All Preceptors (persons who supervise and mentor interns at the PPE site) must be approved by the PPE Instructor in advance of finalizing PPE planning documents and must meet one of the following criteria:
- A doctoral degree in public health or in a closely related field and at least one year of experience in public health
- A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or a master’s degree in a closely related field and at least two years of experience in public health
- A bachelor’s degree in public health or closely related field and at least eight years of work experience in public health
- If the preceptor does not meet any of the above requirements, please talk to your PPE Instructor to discuss alternate options
Note: Family members cannot serve as supervisors.
When selecting a preceptor, ask the following questions
- Does this person have a degree in a field related to my concentration and meet the minimum requirements for the PPE preceptor?
- Is the agency external to Indiana University and working in the field of public health?
- Does this person have the desire, time, and skills to adequately supervise and mentor me?
- In terms of personality, are the preceptor and I compatible?
- Does this person possess cutting-edge knowledge in areas of major interest to me?
- Is this person well known and respected in the public health community?
- Would this person be a good career sponsor (i.e., one who would be very helpful in assisting me with going to my next career level)?
Your Academic Advisor, Myc Miatrowski, will help to organize and plan your course sequence to map to the completion of your degree. Plan on meeting with your academic advisor each semester to stay on track and up to date with any important notices or opportunities related to course enrollment.
As an intern, you are expected to contribute professionally and represent both yourself and Indiana University positively while working at your site.
- Display professional conduct at all times.
- Maintain a regular work schedule and adhere to agency policies and procedures.
- Follow agency guidelines regarding professional attire.
- Accept supervision and guidance from your Preceptor and agency staff.
- Observe all agency rules, regulations, and workplace expectations.
- Learn about the agency's history, mission, programs, services, and target population before and throughout the internship.
- Actively participate in assigned projects, activities, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Participate in agency events both on-site and off-site as recommended by your Preceptor.
- Communicate regularly with your Preceptor regarding projects, responsibilities, and progress.
- Promptly notify both your Preceptor and PPE Instructor if emergencies, illnesses, or other circumstances affect your ability to meet internship requirements.
- Discuss the expected duration of any absence and your plan for returning to the internship.
- Arrange meetings with your Preceptor as needed.
- Participate in a midterm evaluation with your Preceptor.
- Complete an exit interview at the conclusion of the internship.
- Evaluate your Preceptor and internship site upon completion of the experience.
As a student completing an academic internship, you are also responsible for fulfilling course and program requirements.
- Maintain regular communication with your PPE Instructor throughout the internship.
- Arrange meetings with your PPE Instructor when needed.
- Complete and submit required progress reports or journals according to established deadlines.
- Develop a PPE Portfolio that includes:
- Three site-based products or deliverables.
- Evidence demonstrating achievement of at least five competencies:
- Three Foundational Competencies
- Two MPH Concentration-Specific Competencies
- Complete a high-quality synthesis project or paper demonstrating application of at least three competencies through a field-based project or case study.
- Participate in required evaluations and assessments.
- Complete an evaluation of your PPE Instructor at the conclusion of the experience.
Students are responsible for managing the logistical and compliance requirements associated with their internship.
- Pay all expenses related to travel to and from the internship site or other required agency locations.
- Understand that Indiana University and your academic department do not reimburse internship-related travel expenses.
- Consult with your Preceptor regarding whether the agency offers reimbursement for required travel.
- Do not transport agency clients, patients, or participants in your personal vehicle.
- Obtain and maintain all required medical tests, screenings, vaccinations, immunizations, background checks, and certifications required by Indiana University or the host agency.
- Complete required trainings (e.g., HIPAA, CPR) before beginning the internship when applicable.
- Begin gathering required documentation early, as processing may take time.
- Maintain any insurance required to complete the internship, including but not limited to:
- Health insurance
- Automobile insurance (if applicable)
- Professional liability insurance (if required)
