Field Practice & Professional Growth

Applied Practice Experience

The Applied Practice Experience gives MPH students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-world public health settings through supervised practice, professional deliverables, and competency-based field engagement.

Practicum Instructions Preceptor Overview

APE overview

From Classroom Learning to Applied Public Health Practice

The APE is an essential part of the Master of Public Health curriculum, providing hands-on experience in the field of public health through supervised, competency-based practice.

The MPH Applied Practice Experience provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real-world public health setting. Students work with preceptor supervision to apply concepts, theories, and competencies acquired in the classroom.

The APE must be conducted in partnership with an agency or organization that provides a public health service. It is overseen by course faculty, who ensure that all APE requirements are met.

Students are expected to produce and present standard practicum deliverables that demonstrate competency attainment and professional growth.

100

100 Practicum Hours

Students complete 100 practicum hours as part of the MPH degree requirement, connecting classroom knowledge with supervised public health practice.

80

Minimum 80 On-site Hours

At least 80 practicum hours must be completed on site, allowing students to engage directly with public health organizations and communities.

PH

Public Health Site

The field site must be an agency or organization that provides a public health service and supports meaningful applied learning.

2+

Portfolio Evidence

Students produce practical, non-academic work products for the field site’s use and benefit while demonstrating competency attainment.

Practicum information

Requirements, Site selection, Preceptors, and Deliverables

Use the accordion below to review the key APE requirements and guidance for MPH students.

1 Course Overview
The MPH Applied Practice Experience provides an opportunity for students to work in a public health setting. It includes internship work with preceptor supervision and requires students to apply public health concepts, theories, and competencies acquired in the classroom through experiential activities.
2 Degree completion requirement
Every MPH student must complete a practicum experience as a requirement for degree completion. The APE is intended to provide hands-on public health experience and must be conducted in partnership with an agency or organization that provides a public health service.
3 Domestic and international placements
Students may complete the APE either domestically or internationally. A student’s previous or current professional activities do not fulfill the APE requirement, and activities completed before matriculation into the MPH program do not count toward the practicum.
4 Relation to MPH outcomes
The APE is aligned with CEPH accreditation expectations for applied practice experiences, where MPH students demonstrate competency attainment through applied practice. Competency attainment is assessed in part through a portfolio approach.
5 Practicum topic and site selection
There is no single standard approach to identifying a practicum topic, site, or agency. Students may identify opportunities through faculty members, peers, previous student placements, internship postings, job postings, and professional relationships with public health organizations.
  • Begin exploring potential field sites early.
  • Discuss public health interests and goals with a faculty advisor.
  • Choose a topic and scope that align with educational and career goals.
6 Practicum preceptor
The preceptor must be an employee of the site organization. Students must identify, select, and secure a preceptor who can support the learning objectives and provide objective feedback.
  • Has demonstrated experience or expertise related to the student’s learning objectives.
  • Is not an immediate or first-degree relative.
  • Has no conflict of interest that prevents objective feedback.
  • Is not a current Ensign Global MPH student.
7 Preceptor benefits and recognition
In addition to benefiting from the student’s activities, preceptors may be highlighted by Ensign Global University, receive a letter of appreciation, receive a keepsake, and participate in an orientation program.
8 Requirements and deliverables
Portfolio Work Product Proposal Forms outline the products the student will complete, the competencies being met, how each product supports the competencies, and the tasks or activities to be completed. These forms must be signed by the faculty advisor before submission.
9 Portfolio work products
Students must submit a minimum of two products produced in the practicum setting for the practicum organization. The products must demonstrate the attainment of five MPH competencies.
  • Resources or tools for the organization.
  • Conference abstract, presentation, or poster.
  • Oral presentation to the organization.
  • Research paper suitable for publication.
  • Memo, position paper, or report for the organization.
10 Examples of previous practicum products
Previous practicum site products have included public health program implementation, cervical cancer awareness flyers, IT literacy programs, local-language health education voice jingles, publishable manuscripts, child welfare clinic implementation support, survey design, and public health program design and evaluation.
11 Applied Practicum Registration Form
Practicum applications are completed online. Students are notified by email when they can begin the application process. After submission, further changes cannot be made, so students are encouraged to review applications carefully before submitting.

How the APE Journey Works

The practicum process guides students from preparation and site selection through supervised practice, portfolio deliverables, and final presentation of applied public health learning.

1

Plan Early

Meet with your faculty advisor to align interests, goals, and possible practicum sites.

2

Secure a Site

Identify an agency or organization that provides a public health service.

3

Confirm Preceptor

Work with an eligible site-based preceptor who can guide and evaluate practice.

4

Submit Deliverables

Complete practicum hours and submit practical work products demonstrating competencies.

Student Perspectives

From Classroom to Community

APE projects allow students to contribute to public health practice while strengthening skills in collaboration, problem-solving, research, communication, and community engagement.

Patience Agbate

This project improved her skills in addressing site needs, collaborating with a preceptor, problem-solving, consulting IRBs, and seeking guidance.

Read more

Desmond Opare-Agyekum

His collaborative study analyzed dermatologic conditions and health-seeking behaviors of individuals with albinism in Ghana.

Read more

Dr. Frank Obeng

He identified non-adherence to TB treatment and low COVID-19 vaccine uptake, then organized interventions to address them.

Read more

APE resources

Review related APE pages and continue exploring the MPH program, curriculum, and admissions pathway.

Applied Practice Experience → Practicum Overview for Preceptors → Practicum Instructions → MPH Program → Curriculum →