Internship Preceptor Request

Preceptors play a critical role in the education of MPH students. They have the knowledge and experience to guide students to new opportunities and to demonstrate how skills introduced in the classroom are implemented in the real world. Preceptors for MPH students have:

  • A working knowledge and practical experience in the project areas assigned to the student
  • A graduate degree and at least three years of full-time, professional experience in public health OR a terminal degree (e.g. PhD, MD) and current, professional experience in public health OR a BA/BS with 5+ years of public health experience
  • An interest in and commitment to helping a graduate student
  • Time to commit to mentor a student

Timeline

  • Before the internship starts:
    • Identify a project or set of projects for a student to complete.
    • Interview with interested students who contact you.
    • Review the student’s portfolio (if available) and discuss competencies that the student will work to develop during the course of the internship.
    • Review and sign the student’s Internship Proposal Form.
  • During the internship:
    • Arrange a schedule that will allow the student to complete their required hours.
    • Orient the student to ensure a smooth transition.
    • Allow sufficient time for supervision and instruction in the form of routine interactions.
    • Guide the student throughout their projects as needed: review work, offer feedback, and ensure that the student has the resources and time for an optimal learning experience.
    • Keep a record of the student’s progress, hours, and work.
    • Fill out the Midterm Evaluation of the student, sent out by the Internship Coordinator mid-semester.
  • After the internship:
    • Complete the final evaluation of the student. Sign off on any logs/paperwork that the student needs to complete their internship experience.
    • Touch base with the Internship Coordinator – offer feedback on the internship process.
    • Let us know if there are upcoming internship opportunities by filling out and sending the Internship Coordinator Site Profile (at the bottom of this page)

What should my intern be doing?

While internships act as real-world experiences for our students before they graduate, they also allow our students to meet requirements for the MPH program. Students who’ve entered our program after Fall 2019 should have the following experience:

  • Students should be copleting a minimum of 150 hours of internship in a semester.
  • Students should be able to produce work products based off of their internship projects. PHC 6941: MPH Applied Practice Experience requires a minimum of two work products that meet at least five MPH competencies, at least three are foundational competencies.
  • Students should be interacting with the site in a professional manner. In turn, they should be treated as a professional and offered constructive feedback and guidance.

Are you interested in becoming an internship preceptor?

Please complete and submit an Internship Site Profile to be featured on our internship postings for students.