Summer 2016

MPH INTERNSHIP GUIDE

Master of Public Health

Program
A CEPH-Accredited Program

About the Manual

This manual is a compilation of the philosophy, policies, procedures, and requirements of the MPH internship experience.
Students will use this manual as they consider application for participation in the internship experience and select their
specific internship site and preceptor.
Although this manual contains the most pertinent information students will need, students should also be familiar with the
Department of Public Health curricula policies. Faculty and staff of the program are readily available to students for
guidance and are prepared to assist in monitoring student progress toward achieving internship requirements. The
Department reserves the right to modify provisions in this manual with approved updates.
It is the responsibility of the student to read this manual and seek clarification on any matters.

Master of Public Health Program

11000 University Parkway
Building 38
University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 32514
Phone: (850) 474-2650
Fax: (850) 474-2749
Email: [email protected]

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I: Introduction and Purpose

All MPH students are required to complete an internship. The MPH internship enables students to participate in real-world
public health projects and research through local, national, and international placements. The internship is an integral part
of the MPH curricula. It should broaden the students public health perspectives and provide experience in applying the
theory and content learned in didactic courses in public health practice. Through the internship experience, the student
should have the opportunity to interact with public health professionals and participate in activities that constitute public
health. In addition, the student will be exposed to various paradigms and ways to solve public health problems, with
experiences that reinforce communication principles, use of relevant information technology, sensitivity to diversity and
cultural issues, and enhance a students leadership, program planning, and systems thinking skills. Students are therefore
encouraged to be creative and to keep in mind that every practicum has the potential to contribute to health promotion or
disease prevention. Thus, a relevant public health experience must include at least one of the following components:

Assessing, monitoring, or conducting surveillance of health problems/services in a population

Establishing health objectives and priorities
Conducting research on population-based health problems including biological, environmental, and behavioral
issues
Developing/implementing policies/intervention strategies to meet public health needs in a population setting, or
Studying the natural history of disease or health-related effects in a population

To help with these activities, the student must have a preceptor who will guide him/her during the internship experience. It
is important that both the preceptor and the student have a sense that the internship activities are contributing to the
preceptor's work. As such, students participating in the internship must be academically prepared through prior completion
of required core courses. During the internship, students must maintain an appropriate work ethic, adhere to the MPH
Honor Code, adhere to the sites policies and regulations, communicate effectively and professionally, and work
independently as appropriate on project-related tasks.
II: Registering and Completing the MPH Internship
The internship experience is fulfilled with 6.0 semester hours of course credit and is completed in two semesters (3.0
semester hours each), beginning in the Fall 2016 semester. Students are required to complete the internship project with a
minimum of 180 total work hours supervised by an approved preceptor. Work hours accumulated prior to the approval of
the project will not be counted toward the minimum hour requirements. Students must register for the Internship in Public
Health course sequence in order to receive the 6.0 course credits required for graduation.
Students should plan early for the internship experience, but are not prepared for the Internship in Public Health course
sequence until the following courses have been completed:
_______________________MPH Core Courses Required to Prepare for Internship_______________________
1. PHC 5050 Biostatistics for Public Health1
2. PHC 6000 Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
3. PHC 6150 Public Health Policy2
4. PHC 5410 Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
5. PHC 6300 Environmental Health3
___________________________________Additional Preparation___________________________________
1. PHC6196 Computer Applications in Public Health
2. PHC6015 Epidemiology Study Design and Statistical Methods

1
2
3

Replaces STA 5176 Biostatistics for Public Health

Replaces HSA 5115 Public Health Policy
Replaces previously named PHC 6318 Survey of Environmental Problems

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Some internship projects may involve collection and/or analysis of data either retrospectively or prospectively, in a public
health or health care setting. Students must use any of the standard study designs used in public health (e.g., cohort, casecontrol, cross-sectional study design, randomized trials, etc.). The case-study design is not an acceptable design for
purposes of the internship requirement.
Internship projects can either be:
Research-focused involving the identification of datasets, research questions, testable hypotheses, and associated
literature review
Evidence-based/Integrative/Evaluation-focused involving evaluation of a particular project (including policies and
may involve multi-disciplinary areas) or intervention studies (may involve providing educational sessions to the
participants, supporting the development of self-management goals, etc.)
In either case, your final report must include a focused description of one central area, including an associated literature
review. Specific details of this requirement will be outlined in the Internship in Public Health course sequence upon
enrollment.
At the conclusion of the internship, the student is required to develop a poster presentation and additionally write a report
on their experience. The student will also be expected to defend their report to a faculty committee within an oral defense
session. Since the UWF MPH is a totally online program, defense of the internship report can be conducted by video
conferencing for students outside of UWFs geographic area (residence outside 50 miles of UWF). Camera/video support is
the responsibility of the student. Software to engage in video conferencing (e.g., Skype, BlueJeans) will be utilized. Students
will also be required to show photo identification prior to the defense, using a UWF-issued Nautilus card. Students within
UWFs geographic area will present the project report face-to-face.
Background Check
Some internship agencies may require a background check before students can begin practicum hours. In those cases, the
cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student.
III: Student Roles and Responsibilities
In collaboration with a prospective preceptor and the MPH faculty advisor, students begin the internship approval process
with the following steps:

Identify potential practicum topics based on areas of career interests, professional goals, any previous experience,

and the needs of potential host sites.

Identify a potential preceptor for the internship experience and complete and submit the Preceptor Approval Form.

Develop a practicum/project plan including learning objectives, a timeline, milestones, and final deliverables. The
student must secure approval of the plan by the preceptor and the faculty advisor, using the Internship Approval
Form. This form outlines the scope of the project and provides a description of the relevant competencies to be
attained during the placement, using the Table of Competencies for MPH Internships (see Appendix for a copy of
these competencies). Please note these additional guidelines when completing the Internship Approval Form:

Students can begin early to identify an internship site and will work on the Internship Approval Form with a
faculty advisor regarding feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Students much attach to the form a signed copy of the Department of Public Health Honor Code Form.

Students must attach to the form one of the following:

o NIH (National Institutes of Health) Office of Extramural Research: Protecting Human Research Participants
Training Course or CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative): Human Subjects Research Training
Modules

o Specific requirements are described here: http://uwf.edu/offices/research-sponsored-programs/ethicscompliance/institutional-review-board-irb/mandatory-training-for-investigators/

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If needed, the student, in consultation with the preceptor and the faculty advisor, must also complete and seek
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval from all agencies required as part of that process, including the
University of West Florida. This process must be completed prior to the student engaging in internship activities
where such approval is necessary. Students of public health must understand that the determination of whether a
project involving human subjects is exempt from IRB rests with the IRB itself and not the student. Consequently, all
projects involving human subjects must be submitted for IRB review. Your advisor will work with you and
determine the review level appropriate for your project. In some cases, particularly when this training is not
offered through the project site, the students may be asked to complete the CITI Information Privacy Security
(HIPAA) Training.

Specific IRB requirements for UWF are described

programs/ethics-compliance/institutional-review-board-irb/

here:

http://uwf.edu/offices/research-sponsored-

Selecting a Project Topic

In thinking about the internship experience, students must keep in mind that the practicum experience should be a mutually
beneficial experience for the student, the host institution, and the preceptor. As noted above, students will use the Table of
Competencies for MPH Internships (see Appendix) when outlining internship activities, with the following additional
guidelines:

Competencies must be derived from at least 3 of the following discipline-specific domains:

o Biostatistics-based Competencies
o Environmental Health-based Competencies
o Epidemiology-based Competencies
o Health Care Policy and Administration-based Competencies
o Social and Behavioral Sciences-based Competencies
Competencies must be derived from at least 4 of the following cross-cutting domains:
o Communications and Informatics-based Competencies
o Diversity/Culture-based Competencies
o Leadership-based Competencies
o Professionalism-based Competencies
o Program Planning-based Competencies
o Systems Thinking-based Competencies
o Public Health Biology-based Competencies
In the Internship in Public Health course sequence, a faculty advisor will guide students in meeting these requirements.

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Students will apply SMART guidelines for writing objectives and aligning objectives with practicum goal(s), as follows:

Specific Be as specific as possible within the constraints of your project topic.

o A specific objective has a much greater chance of accomplishment than a general one.
o A general objective would be: Increase immunization rates
o A specific objective would be: Increase immunization rates in Escambia County, Florida by 15% by October 2016
Measurable Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each objective.
o Ask yourself: How much? How many? How will I know when the objective is accomplished?
o In the objective above, the 15% and the October deadline are what make the objective measurable.
Attainable Objectives must be achievable given the resources available.
o You must conduct an inventory of the resources necessary to accomplish the task.
o Think of the financial resources, human capital, time, technology, and the expertise you have at your disposal.
Realistic Objectives are said to be realistic when they meet these criteria:
o Objectives match the skills needed to reach the objective.
o Goals fit within the overall strategy and goals of the organization.
Timely When setting objectives, you must:
o Identify a beginning date and end date
o Identify how much time it will take to reach the objective within the beginning and end date timeframe.
Once the typed Internship Approval Form is finalized and signed by the student, preceptor, and faculty advisor, it must be
approved by the MPH Program before students will begin work on these two deliverables:

Poster presentation
Internship Report
Upon approval of the preceptor, host internship site, and the associated project, students are responsible for the following:

Provide monthly progress reports to the preceptor and MPH Program advisor using the Monthly Internship
Review Form. This form should be uploaded to the assignment dropbox on a monthly basis regardless of whether
or not the student worked any hours during a particular month. The forms must have original signatures from the
students and preceptors. All original forms, with original signatures, should be maintained by the preceptor at the
internship site until the conclusion of the internship. At that date, the original forms should be mailed to the MPH
Program.
Communicate with faculty and MPH Program advisor any problems that arise during the internship experience that
potentially impact the learning experience and/or any changes in the practicum plan.
Participate in periodically scheduled progress review meetings with the preceptor and the faculty advisor.
Preceptors are encouraged to provide regular feedback regarding any issues with a students academic
competence, work ethic, overall professionalism, communication effectiveness, and ability to work independently.
Preceptors are also queried at the 60 hour and 90 hour targets to ensure the student and the preceptor/internship
site is an appropriate match. Students deemed to be making unsatisfactory progress at the 60 or 90 hour targets
may have their match terminated with the loss of any work hours accumulated. Additional remediation plans for
unsatisfactory progress in demonstrating academic competence, maintaining an appropriate work ethic, adhering
to the MPH Honor Code, or deficiencies in overall professionalism, communication effectiveness, and/or ability to
work independently, may include:
o extension of internship work hours beyond the 180-hour requirement, pending the approval of the
current preceptor and internship site,
o requirements to repeat relevant core courses if lacking associated core competencies,
o requirements to take additional coursework to enhance core competencies and/or to improve
professional skills prior to reapplying for an internship opportunity, and/or
o dismissal from the MPH program.

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As students complete internship hours, students are responsible for the following:

Develop a poster presentation to be presented in a virtual forum. Instructions on how to develop the poster
will be provided in the Internship in Public Health course.
Submit a final practicum report describing the project, the activities undertaken, and results, findings, and
recommendations (see the section Outline for the Internship/ Integrated Project Report for details), no later
than dates set forth in the Internship in Public Health course.
Following the submission of the final practicum report, conduct a final self-evaluation of the practicum
experience using the Student Internship Evaluation Form.
Schedule the internship defense using the Internship Oral Defense Scheduling Form and follow the
instructions provided by the instructors in the Internship in Public Health course. Unless otherwise indicated
in the Internship in Public Health course, students attempting to graduate in a specific semester must
schedule their defense at least one month prior to the end of that semester. During the defense, a student will
be evaluated on each of the competencies stated on the Table of Competencies for MPH Internships, using
the Internship Defense Evaluation Form.
Following the defense, the MPH program faculty will review the evaluations of the preceptor, the practicum
report, and the oral defense to determine a final decision of Pass or Fail on the Internship in Public Health
course.
If a decision of Pass is earned, students are required to incorporate all changes/recommendations to the final
practicum report as necessary within five days following the oral defense, or during a timeframe approved by
the MPH program faculty. Students must also complete any additional department requirements such as
poster, presentation, and/or seminar. These requirements will be verified by the faculty advisor at the time of
the decision.
If a decision of Fail is warranted, the student will be notified in writing regarding appropriate remediation
plans prior to the next enrollment in the Internship in Public Health course.
It is the responsibility of the student to submit an electronic copy of the internship report to the MPH program
advisor and faculty advisor.

IV. Preceptor Roles and Responsibilities

Practical knowledge and skills are essential to successful practice. A planned, supervised and evaluated practice experience
is an essential component of a professional public health degree program. These opportunities can take place in a variety of
agencies and organizations and should include local and state public health agencies to the extent possible and appropriate.
Opportunities may also include those in appropriate local, state, national and international non-governmental agencies and
organizations. An essential component of the practice experience is supervision by a preceptor qualified to evaluate the
professional competence of the student. The selected preceptor must therefore possess at least a Masters degree in Public
Health (MPH) or health degree equivalent (information on Health Care Degree equivalent can be provided by MPH Program
Advisor and Faculy Advisor) and have health related field or tangible practice experience. The preceptors responsibilities
include the following:

Provide technical and administrative oversight to the student throughout the practicum period.
If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required, the preceptor must work with the student to prepare IRB
documentation for all involved agencies, including the University of West Florida. This process must be completed
prior to the student engaging in internship activities where such approval is necessary.
Provide periodic feedback and guidance to the student in writing and/or through meetings. Preceptors are asked
to be scrutinizing in their assessment of the intern and the overall internship experience to ensure the internship is
a positive experience for the student, the preceptor, and host internship site. Feedback from preceptors in the
following areas is expected and welcomed:
o overall assessment of students academic competence
o appropriateness of students work ethic

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o
o
o
o

students ability to adhere to the MPH Honor Code

students overall professionalism
students communication effectiveness
students ability to work independently
Maintain communication with the UWF MPH Program office in order to facilitate the student learning experience.
Review the students progress through formal monthly evaluations using the Monthly Internship Review Form.
Collaborate with the faculty advisor to address overall project issues as necessary.
Conduct a final evaluation of the students practicum experience using the Preceptor Internship Evaluation Form.
This form is required before the student can receive credit for the internship course. This form should be
completed within a week of the conclusion of the internship to assist the faculty advisor in assigning the final
grade for the internship (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory/Continuing).

Students are required to submit their final written report to the preceptor within two weeks of the conclusion of the
internship. Preceptors are encouraged to schedule an exit interview following the review of this report to provide final
professional feedback to the intern, as he/she prepares for the oral defense of the internship experience to MPH program
faculty.
Prior to submission of the internship report, the student must submit the draft report to the UWF Writing Lab either in
person or through the Online Writing Lab (OWL). It is suggested that the student consult with the faculty advisor the
semester of the start of the internship to establish contact with the Writing Lab. It is the students responsibility to ensure
that the final draft submitted to the MPH program is free of grammatical, spelling and diction errors. The report must also
be neatly formatted and APA style guidelines for all references (including in-text citations). Students must keep in mind that
two report must be submitted, one to the MPH program and the second to the host agency.
V. Faculty Advisor Roles and Responsibilities
The faculty advisor provides general oversight of the practicum. In this role, the faculty advisor engages in the following
activities:

Guides students to resources describing possible internship sites.

Provides advice to students about site selection.
Works in collaboration with the student and the preceptor on the development of the specific practicum plan to
ensure consistency with established program competencies for the MPH internship experience.
If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required, the faculty advisor must work with the student and the
preceptor to ensure all IRB documentation for all involved agencies, including the University of West Florida has
been submitted and approved. This process must be completed prior to the student engaging in internship
activities where such approval is necessary.
Reviews overall progress of the student during the practicum process and provides feedback to the student as
necessary, through review of each Monthly Internship Review Form.
Queries preceptors at the 60 hour and 90 hour targets to ensure that the student and the preceptor/internship site
is an appropriate match.
Coordinates with the student the final date and time of the poster presentation and oral defense of the internship.
Communicates with the departmental Chair on any issues that arise and require the collective effort of the Chair.

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VI. Departmental Roles and Responsibilities

The MPH program has the distinct job of supporting students in their process of obtaining a placement to conduct their
internship experience and to improve the quality of that experience. The Chair of the Department oversees the entire
administrative process with the additional following activities:

Reviews all preceptors submitted for approval using the Preceptor Approval Form. The Preceptor Approval Form
is submitted first, to ensure students have identified a local preceptor to oversee the internship project.
Reviews all proposed internship projects/experiences submitted for approval using the Internship Approval Form.
The Internship Approval Form outlines the scope and subject of the study which has been approved by the local
preceptor, along with a description of the relevant competencies to be attained during the placement using the
Table of Competencies for MPH Internships (see Appendix for a copy of these competencies).
Reviews all internship defenses in face-to-face or Web conferencing formats.

VII. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Students collecting data from human subjects (via phone survey, focus group, pen and paper survey, etc.) must receive
approval from the UWF IRB office and complete all required training.
Students will not be allowed to proceed with the internship project until the approval is on file. Please check with your
faculty advisor immediately upon accepting the internship to determine if this will be needed. These approvals can take
weeks to get approved, and you do not want to delay your internship because of this.
VIII. Choosing an Internship
Arranging a practicum is a collaborative effort involving a mix of student, faculty, and community partners activities. It is
the ultimately the students responsibility to secure a practicum and to utilize the resources available to them. Students
can initiate their practicum search in a number of ways, including personal and/or professional contacts, faculty
recommendations, or opportunities posted on the CPH Careers site part of the Buckeyes Career Network as well as a
direct approach to an organization on their own.
A practicum can occur within a variety of organizations including community-based, non-profit, international, as well as
Federal, Local, and State Government Health Departments. A student can find an internship by any number of ways:

Faculty Advisor- Often faculty connections with the community may lead to potential practicum opportunities for
students. Students should establish a relationship with their faculty advisor early to talk about their career goals. In
addition, students should seek out faculty whose research may interest them. As opportunities arise, faculty may be
more willing to recommend students and put them in contact with a preceptor if they are aware of the students
career goals and interest.
Other Students- Second year students are a great resource for new students to find out about practicum
opportunities. If students want to know what other students have done in the past they may review the binder that
includes practicum reports in the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services. The CARMEN Course (Career
Resources) also lists current and prior practicum opportunities students have completed. It is the students
responsibility to contact the organization to make sure the opportunity is currently available.
Network with Professionals and Alumni- Being involved in professional associations such as SOPHE (Society of
Public Health Professionals) or APHA (American Public Health Association) or the Florida Public Health Association
may lead to practicum opportunities. In addition, there are programs in the college and on campus that can put
students in contact with local and national professionals including. The Alumni Connect program allows students to
connect with UWF MPH alumni who have agreed to assist students and provide career advice, networking and
shadowing opportunities, and potentially provide practicum opportunities.

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Research National Organizations- Many national organizations like the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA),
offer summer internships and post-graduate fellowships. Be aware that the application process begins several
months in advance. Students seeking potential practicum opportunities should plan ahead to research deadlines for
national programs.

Finding a Practicum on Your Own- Students may initiate their own potential practicum by contacting organizations
directly. Students should communicate with their faculty advisor to make sure the practicum is an appropriate
experience.

Before contacting an agency, students should have an updated rsum as most of the time potential preceptors will want
to know the students background to make sure they are a good fit for the organization. It is a good idea to find out many
details about the practicum to make sure it fits within the students career goals. If several students have applied, the
organization may want to interview the top candidates. Remember, this is considered professional experience and the
preceptor will want a student that fits within culture of the organization. No matter what resources a student may use in
locating a practicum, they should keep their Faculty Advisor involved as they can provide guidance and support
throughout the process.
IX. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for the internship course?
After selecting the internship experience site and completing an Internship Approval Form, students must obtain
all the necessary signatures in order to finalize the Internship Approval process. Students must provide a copy of
the completed Internship Approval Form with the indicated signatures as this serves as a contract.
How do I write goals and objective?
Students are encouraged to work with their MPH Faculty Advisor to develop appropriate learning objectives. The
learning objectives should perform the following functions:
Describe the performance of a major cognitive skill (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation). MPH students should pay particular attention to the analysis, synthesis and
evaluation skills in the development of objectives.
Begin with an action verb that matches the means of performance assessment.
Describe what you will be able to do as a result of the objective.
Describe the intended outcome or product, not the process.
Use only one objective for each skill.
The objectives should be measurable.
What do I need to do if my internship experience has a human subjects research component?
Most internship experiences do not involve human subjects research. However, if human subjects research is
involved, UWF requires all research conducted with humans and/or human data to be reviewed through UWFs
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee. If no Human Subjects approval has yet been obtained, students will
need to submit proposals for review. It is important to note that only the IRB can determine whether or not
research is exempt from review.
Students must apply with their faculty advisor for IRB approval. Students conducting research
involving human subjects should plan timelines accordingly. Please note that work on the project may
not begin until IRB approval has been obtained. Full information is available through the UWF Office of
Sponsored and Research Programs at http://www.research.uwf.edu/internal/integrity/irb.cfm

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What do I need to do if I am planning an international internship experience?

The MPH program encourages international placement, however, because of the unique characteristics of such
opportunities, international placement preparations and authorizations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Please meet early with your MPH Faculty Advisor if you are planning an international internship/experience.
Submit all materials at least one full term (or more) in advance of your planned international work. Processes
begun after that point may not have received all necessary approvals in time for planned departure. Please note
that all international fieldwork must involve a host agency, or organization. University-sanctioned fieldwork will
not be approved in the absence of a host agency.
X. Outline for the Internship Report
The practicum report is a formal, professional, written document. The report should thoroughly and completely describe
your practicum experience. Unless otherwise noted in the Internship in Public Health course, the final report should be
submitted to the faculty advisor no later than two weeks following the conclusion of the internship. Students are
encouraged to review peer reviewed public health journals for writing styles and presentations of tables and graphs.
Reports should not include raw statistical outputs, rather neatly formatted tables and figures must be included where
available. The final report should include the following content:

Title/Author page
o Include on a separate cover sheet.
Abstract
o In 500 words or less, describe the goals of the project, activities, and results.
Overview of Host Organization
o Briefly (approximately 2 pages) describe the host organization. Background information should include
the agencys or units public health mission and goals, major activities and other information pertinent to
the project topic, etc. Indicate the dates of your practicum and number of hours worked per day/week.
Describe financial assistance received, if any.
Practicum Rationale
o Briefly (approximately 4 pages) outline the public health problem/need/issue that the practicum was
meant to address.
Literature Review
o Provide details of current approaches to this same public health program/need/issue using peer-reviewed
articles, and cited using standards supported by the American Psychological Association (APA style).
o For examples of citations in APA style, see online tutorials of the UWF library (http://library.uwf.edu/) and
review this publication:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association [ISBN-10: 1557987912 or ISBN-13:
9781557987914].

o Address: What have others done? How is your approach different? What is the impact of your approach,
locally, regionally, and nationally? What is innovative about your approach?

o What is your conceptual framework? Or which of the Social and behavioral theories is aligned to your

project? If its a prospective study what is the theory of change?

Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
o State (approximately 5 pages) the specific goals and objectives for your practicum. Describe the
competencies attained during the placement.
Methods
o Briefly describe the target population
o Describe the theory or conceptual framework (use an illustration)
o Briefly describe the process used to address the problem(s) you identified including variables
o Describe the statistical methods used to analyze the data

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Results

o Describe the activities/tasks performed.

o Address how the goals and objectives were accomplished.
o Describe all data collected (quantitative or qualitative), types of data analysis performed, and major

findings. Where appropriate, present data in tables or graphs.

o List/describe any written documents or products which were produced as a result of the practicum.
Discussion
o Provide a discussion based on the work accomplished. What lessons were learned about public health
practice from the experience?
o Discuss all findings and tie results to the literature review.
o Structure the discussion to ensure the literature review and findings weave together.
o Address: Was the need for the project addressed satisfactorily?
o Discuss any unexpected outcomes observed.
o Discuss additional lessons learned. Indicate positive and negative aspects of the experience. Identify any
barriers or limitations you encountered.
Recommendations
o Provide recommendations based on the project. How can/will the agency benefit from the project?
Appendices
o Required appendices: a summary of activities tied to the internship competencies and original copies of
each Monthly Internship Review Form completed during the internship.
o Additional appendices include work accomplished during the practicum: copies of reports or documents
written, materials produced, agenda of trainings held, and other items as deemed appropriate.
References
o Provide a listing of all references, using APA style standards.

XI. Outline for the Internship Defense

Students must schedule their internship defense using the Internship Oral Defense Scheduling Form. The defense will be
scheduled within two months of the request. Students who fail to meet this requirement within two months will not be
eligible to defend until the following semester. Students attempting to graduate in a specific semester must schedule their
defense at least one month prior to the end of that semester. Students within UWFs geographic area (residence within 50
miles of UWF) must complete the defense requirement at UWF. Students outside the geographic area of UWF must
complete the defense using Web conferencing. Webcam expenses are the responsibility of the student. Software to engage
in Web conferencing is available free of charge, and inexpensive Webcams can be utilized with this service. Students will
also be required to show photo identification prior to the defense, using a UWF-issued Nautilus card.
During the oral defense of the internship report, the student must be prepared to professionally address questions
regarding stated learning objectives, activities, outcomes, attained competencies, and lessons learned. A general guideline
for summarizing your report in PowerPoint form prior to questioning would be:

Introduction/Statement of the Problem

Public Health Significance of the Project
o Include brief summary of literature review
Methods
o Must address the following questions: Who? What? When? and methodology used to collect data and
methods for data analysis
o Some practicum projects will not lend themselves to this formulate, however, the student must provide
a narrative indicating a systematic approach used to develop the policy state.

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Results

o Highlight major findings and unexpected outcomes

Discussion/Conclusion
o Must briefly state conclusions and recommendations based on the findings
o Must address lessons learned about public health practice from the experience

Summarizing the report should be approximately 15-20 minutes. The remainder of the defense period will consist of
questions and is generally expected to conclude within an hour. Students will be evaluated during the defense using the
Internship Defense Evaluation Form. A final decision regarding satisfactory completion of the internship experience will be
based on the evaluation from the preceptor combined with numerical scoring outlined in the Internship in Public Health
course.
XI. Internship Resource Guide and Student Job Information
Internships will generally be conducted at public health departments, state health departments, or federal agencies with a
public health mission. The resources summarized below are recommended to all students searching for internship sites
and/or preparing for an internship interview.
UWFs Career Services
11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 31
Pensacola, FL 32514
Phone: (850) 474-2254
Website: http://www.uwf.edu/career
Account Setup: click on JasonQuest
As a first step to begin researching possible internship sites, students should proceed to UWFs Career Services site and log
into their JasonQuest account. This account will allow students to view possible positions for companies that have already
registered with UWF. Students should also contact UWF's Career Services by phone to set up a face-to-face appointment
(or telephone appointment if the students residence is outside of Pensacola). This brief appointment will allow students to
learn about ways UWF's Career Services can assist. To prepare for this appointment, students must have a resume handy in
electronic form and ready to upload to JasonQuest.

XII. Post-Internship Employment Resources

Even as students are completing courses and their internship hours, it is important to begin researching future job
prospects, using multiple sources, such as:
UWFs Career Services
11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 31
Pensacola, FL 32514
Phone: (850) 474-2254
Website: http://www.uwf.edu/career
Students will find UWF's Career Services and their JasonQuest account to be valuable resources as they seek
permanent employment following the internship.

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Appendix

Department of Public Health

TABLE OF COMPETENCIES FOR MPH INTERNSHIPS

Instructions:

In thinking about the internship experience, students must keep in mind that the practicum experience should be a mutually
beneficial experience for the student, the host institution, and the preceptor. Students will use the Table of Competencies for
MPH Internships (see below) when outlining internship activities, with the following additional guidelines:

Competencies must be derived from at least 3 of the following DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC domains:

o Biostatistics-based Competencies
o Environmental Health-based Competencies
o Epidemiology-based Competencies
o Health Care Policy and Administration-based Competencies
o Social and Behavioral Sciences-based Competencies
Competencies must be derived from at least 4 of the following CROSS-CUTTING domains:
o Communications and Informatics-based Competencies
o Diversity/Culture-based Competencies
o Leadership-based Competencies
o Professionalism-based Competencies
o Program Planning-based Competencies
o Systems Thinking-based Competencies
o Public Health Biology-based Competencies
In the Internship in Public Health course sequence, a faculty advisor will guide students in meeting these requirements.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC

Biostatistics-based Competencies
Biostatistics is the development and application of statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing,
and solving problems in public health, health care, and biomedical, clinical and population-based research.
A1.
A2.

Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public health.

Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistic methods
to be used based on these distinctions.
A3. Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.
A4. Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation, and commonly used statistical probability
distributions.
A5. Apply common statistical methods for inference.
A6. Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when assumptions
are not met.
A7. Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a
particular research question.
A8. Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
A9. Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses for both public health professionals
and educated lay audiences.
A10. Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public
health characteristics and in public research and evaluation.

Environmental Health-based Competencies

Environmental health sciences represent the study of environmental factors including biological, physical, and
chemical factors that affect the health of a community.
B1. Specify approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to
human health and safety.
B2. Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological, and safety effects of major environmental and
occupational agents.
B3. Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.
B4. Describe genetic, physiologic, and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes
following exposure to environmental hazards.
B5. Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental
justice and equity.
B6. Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.
B7. Develop a testable model of environmental insult.
B8. Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental
health issues.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC (cont.)

Epidemiology-based Competencies
Epidemiology is the study of patterns of disease and injury in human populations and the application of this
study to the control of health problems.
C1. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of
health issues.
C2. Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, and place.
C3. Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
C4. Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
C5. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
C6. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports.
C7. Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.
C8. Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.
C9. Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use, and
dissemination of epidemiologic data.
C10. Identify the principles and limitations of public health screening programs.

Health Care Policy and Administration-based Competencies

Health policy and management is a multidisciplinary field of inquiry and practice concerned with the delivery,
quality and costs of health care for individuals and populations. This definition assumes both a managerial and a
policy concern with the structure, process and outcomes of health project services including the costs, financing,
organization, outcomes and accessibility of care.
D1.
D2.
D3.
D4.
D5.
D6.
D7.
D8.
D9.
D10.

Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing and delivery of health services
and public health systems in the US.
Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.
Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services.
Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.
Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.
Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.
Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.
Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in
organizational and community initiatives.
Explain methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness.
Apply "systems thinking" for resolving organizational problems.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC (cont.)

Social and Behavioral Sciences-based Competencies

The social and behavioral sciences in public health address the behavioral, social and cultural factors related to
individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. Research and practice in this area
contributes to the development, administration project and evaluation of programs and policies in public health
and health services to promote and sustain healthy environments and healthy lives for individuals and
populations.
E1. Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems.
E2. Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations.
E3. Identify basic theories, concepts, and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used
in public health research and practice.
E4. Apply ethical principles to public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
E5. Specify multiple targets and levels of intervention for social and behavioral science programs and/or
policies.
E6. Identify individual, organizational, and community concerns, assets, resources, and deficits for social and
behavioral science interventions.
E7. Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science
interventions.
E8. Describe the merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies.
E9. Describe steps and procedures for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs,
policies, and interventions.
E10. Identify critical stakeholders for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs,
policies, and interventions.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

CROSS-CUTTING
Communications and Informatics-based Competencies
The ability to collect, manage and organize data to produce information and meaning that is exchanged by use of
signs and symbols; to gather, process, and present information to different audiences in-person, through
information technologies, or through media channels, and to strategically design the information and knowledge
exchange process to achieve specific objectives.
F1. Apply theory and strategy-based communication principles across different settings and audiences.
F2. Describe how societal, organizational, and individual factors influence and are influenced by public health
communications.
F3. Discuss the influences of social, organizational and individual factors on the use of information technology
by end users.
F4. Describe how the public health information infrastructure is used to collect, process, maintain, and
disseminate data.
F5. Demonstrate effective written and oral skills for communicating with different audiences in the context of
professional public health activities.
F6. Use informatics methods and resources as strategic tools to promote public health.
F7. Use information technology to access, evaluate, and interpret public health data.
F8. Use informatics and communication methods to advocate for community public health programs and
policies.
F9. Collaborate with communication and informatics specialists in the process of design, implementation, and
evaluation of public health programs.
F10. Apply legal and ethical principles to the use of information technology and resources in public health
settings.

Diversity/Culture-based Competencies
The ability to interact with both diverse individuals and communities to produce or impact an intended public
health outcome.
G1.
G2.
G3.

Differentiate among availability, acceptability, and accessibility of health care across diverse populations.
Describe the roles of, history, power, privilege, and structural inequality in producing health disparities.
Use the basic concepts and skills involved in culturally appropriate community engagement and
empowerment with diverse communities.
G4. Discuss the importance and characteristics of a sustainable diverse public health workforce.
G5. Explain why cultural competence alone cannot address health disparity.
G6. Cite examples of situations where consideration of culture-specific needs resulted in a more effective
modification or adaptation of a health intervention.
G7. Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of
the communities being served.
G8. Apply the principles of community-based participatory research to improve health in diverse populations.
G9. Differentiate between linguistic competence, cultural competency, and health literacy in public health
practice.
G10. Explain how professional ethics and practices relate to equity and accountability in diverse community
settings.
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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

CROSS-CUTTING (cont.)

Leadership-based Competencies
The ability to create and communicate a shared vision for a changing future; champion solutions to
organizational and community challenges; and energize commitment to goals.
H1. Describe the attributes of leadership in public health.
H2. Describe alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations, focused on public
health goals.
H3. Demonstrate team-building, negotiation, and conflict management skills.
H4. Articulate an achievable mission, set of core values, and vision.
H5. Demonstrate transparency, integrity, and honesty in all actions.
H6. Develop strategies to motivate others for collaborative problem solving, decision-making, and evaluation.
H7. Demonstrate team-building methods for achieving organizational and community health goals.
H8. Engage in dialogue and learning from others to advance public health goals.
H9. Apply social justice and human rights principles when addressing community needs.

Professionalism-based Competencies
The ability to demonstrate ethical choices, values, and professional practices implicit in public health decisions;
consider the effect of choices on community stewardship, equity, social justice, and accountability; and to
commit to personal and institutional development.
I1.

Embrace a definition of public health that captures the unique characteristics of the field (e.g., populationfocused, community-oriented, prevention-motivated, and rooted in social justice) and how these
contribute to professional practice.
I2. Discuss sentinel events in the history and development of the public health profession and their relevance
for practice in the field.
I3. Analyze determinants of health and disease using an ecological framework.
I4. Apply the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance in the analysis of public health
problems and their solutions.
I5. Promote high standards of personal and organizational integrity, compassion, honesty, and respect for all
people.
I6. Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and
burdens of public health programs.
I7. Apply basic principles of ethical analysis (e.g., the Public Health Code of Ethics, human rights framework,
other moral theories) to issues of public health practice and policy.
I8. Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to critical evaluation and decisionmaking in public health.
I9. Analyze the potential impacts of legal and regulatory environments on the conduct of ethical public health
research and practice.
I10. Appreciate the importance of working collaboratively with diverse communities and constituencies (e.g.,
researchers, practitioners, agencies, and organizations).
I11. Value commitment to lifelong learning and professional service.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

CROSS-CUTTING (cont.)
Program Planning-based Competencies
The ability to plan for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to improve
individual and community health.
J1.

In collaboration with others, prioritize individual, organizational, and community concerns and resources
for public health programs.
J2. Describe how social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors contribute to specific individual and
community health outcomes.
J3. Differentiate among goals, measurable objectives, related activities, and expected outcomes for a public
health program.
J4. Explain the contribution of logic models in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
J5. Describe the tasks necessary to assure that program implementation occurs as intended.
J6. Differentiate the purposes of formative, process, and outcome evaluation.
J7. Prepare a program budget with justification.
J8. Explain how the findings of a program evaluation can be used.
J9. Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods in relation to their strengths,
limitations, and appropriate uses.
J10. Assess the quality and utility of evaluation reports.

Systems Thinking-based Competencies

The ability to recognize system level properties that result from dynamic interactions among human and social
systems and how they affect the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and
environments.
K1.
K2.
K3.
K4.
K5.
K6.
K7.
K8.

Identify characteristics of a system.

Identify unintended consequences produced by changes made to a public health system.
Provide examples of feedback loops and stocks and flows within a public health system.
Explain how systems (e.g., individuals, social networks, organizations, and communities) may be viewed as
systems within systems in the analysis of public health problems.
Explain how systems models can be tested and validated.
Explain how the contexts of gender, race, poverty, history, migration, and culture are important in the
design of interventions within public health systems.
Illustrate how changes in public health systems (including input, processes, and output) can be measured.
Analyze inter-relationships among systems that influence the quality of life of people in their communities.

K9.

Analyze the effects of political, social, and economic policies on public health systems at the local, state,
national and international levels.
K10. Analyze the impact of global trends and interdependencies on public health related problems and systems.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

CROSS-CUTTING (cont.)
Public Health Biology-based Competencies
The ability to incorporate public health biology the biological and molecular context of public health into
public health practice.
L1.
L2.
L3.
L4.
L5.
L6.
L7.
L8.
L9.
L10.

Explain the role of biology in the ecological model of population-based health.

Integrate general biological and molecular concepts into public health.
Explain the biological and molecular basis of public health.
Articulate how biological, chemical, and physical agents affect human health.
Apply biological principles to development and implementation of disease prevention, control, or
management programs.
Describe how behavior alters human biology.
Specify the role of the immune system in population health.
Explain how genetics and genomics affect disease processes and public health policy and practice.
Identify the ethical, social, and legal issues implied by public health biology.
Apply evidence-based biological and molecular concepts to inform public health laws, policies, and
regulations.

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Master of Public Health - Internship Competencies

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Students are further expected to demonstrate a dedicated work ethic and consistent professionalism throughout the
internship, as evidenced by these professional skills:
Accomplishment of Assignments
Has acquired appropriate knowledge and skills
Quality and accuracy of work
Work proceeds in orderly and organized fashion
Reliability and Initiative
Works effectively with minimal supervision
Initiates appropriate actions and follows through to completion
Uses and manages time efficiently
Communication Effectiveness
Comprehension of oral and written instructions
Communicates information orally with clarity
Written communication is complete, concise, and accurate
Interpersonal Relations
Accepts direction from supervisor
Accepts constructive criticism of performance
Works well with others
Knowledge and Commitment
Overall quality of internship project
Understanding of projects relevance to public health field
Understanding of organizations role in the larger context of public health community
Commitment to the public health field

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