What is the Applied Practice Experience (APE)?
The Applied Practice Experience (APE) within the MPH program is an opportunity for our students to apply foundational public health skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life experiences within the field. Every year, more than 150 students in the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at the University of Florida serve as both volunteers and interns to complete the Applied Practice Experience with public health agencies and related organizations both nationwide and globally.
PHC 6941: The Applied Practice Experience is typically taken during the student’s last semester in the program in tandem with PHC 6940: Capstone.
What are Applied Practice Experience (APE) Hours?
UF’s MPH program Applied Practice Experience (APE) hours are made up of both Public Health Service (PHS) hours and Internship Hours. The required number of APE hours depends on the student’s program and the number of credits of PHC 6941 they register for. It is a program requirement that all MPH students must complete a minimum of 150 internship hours, no matter what academic program the student is enrolled in.
Please note that 1 credit hour of PHC 6941 is equal to 50 internship hours. For example, if a student is registered for 3 credits of PHC6941 within an academic semester, they must complete at least 150 internship hours by the end of the semester.
Internship Hour Requirements
| academic program/ number of phc 6941 credits | Required internship hours |
|---|---|
| All MPH Students taking 3 credits of PHC6941 | 150 |
| All MPH students taking ≥ 4 credits of PHC6941 | (# of PHC 6941 Credits) x (50) = # of required hours |
Public Health Service (PHS) Hours
Public Health Service hours are non-paid, public health volunteer work. The required number of PHS hours depends on the student’s program and the number of credits of PHC 6941 they register for.
Public Health Service Hour Requirements
| Academic program/number of phc 6941 credits | Required PHS Hours |
|---|---|
| Traditional MPH Program (48-credit hours) students taking 3 credits of PHC6941 | 50 |
| Traditional MPH Program (48-credit hours) students taking ≥ 4 credits of PHC6941 | Not Required |
| Accelerated MPH Program (42-credit hours) | Not Required |
| Combined Degree Programs | Not Required |
Options for Public Health Service Hours are as follows:
- Individual public health volunteer activities (Habitat for Humanity, RedCross, local health departments, non-profits, etc.)
- Public health service and volunteer activities organized by a student association such as the Public Health Student Association
- MPH Program opportunities:
- Participation in the Inter-professional Learning in Healthcare (required; 10 hours)
- Participation in Afternoon of Learning (3 hours)
- Participation in Common Reader book discussion (2 hours)
How do I track my Public Health Service (PHS) Hours?
Public Health Service Hours are self-tracked by students throughout their time in the program. Students are responsible for updating their PHS time log and completing a factual report for each volunteer experience. See the Forms link for both the PHS time log and factual report templates.
Details of the Applied Practice Experience can be found in the APE Handbook.