CGH 306 Supervised Field Training in Public Health Orientation and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is a field training experience? Final, practical experience in the CGU MPH program Worth 4 units Timeframe is 1 semester to as much as a 1 year term Taken after completion of all MPH core and concentration courses

What is the purpose? Provide a professional experience where knowledge from coursework is applied in a real- world setting Apply existing skills and learn new ones Gain experience within the field of public health and your concentration Professional networking Address and reflect on MPH student competencies

What are the prerequisites? Complete MPH core and concentration coursework (or be in the final semester of coursework) Complete the Student Interest Form and secure proof of health insurance before meeting with the MPH Program Manager to discuss: Interests and possible sites for field training experience Affiliation paperwork Placement search strategy

What is involved in CGH 306? Internship site selection and agency affiliation paperwork Learning Contract with 2 attachments 4 credits (total 400/200 hours)- register for CGH 306 Apply knowledge in a real-world competency based experience Reflective Journals Poster presentation Student & supervisor evaluations

What is involved in the poster presentation? Opportunity to practice visual and oral presentation Content depends upon activities conducted during the internship, general guidelines include: Title, Introduction, Methods & Activities, Conclusion plus copy of an abstract Attended by faculty, staff and students Graded using standardized rubric

How do I find an field experience? Announcements circulated through school e- mail Check list of affiliated sites Site identified in consultation with MPH Program Manager or faculty Your own ideas and contacts!

Where have students found field experiences in the past? Health departments Healthcare organizations Non-profit organizations Worksite programs International contacts Government agencies Schools/Colleges/Universities

Where have students found field experiences in the past? Azusa Neighborhood Wellness Center City of Hope Cities of Chino & Claremont Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Foothill AIDS Project Planned Parenthood Reach Out Riverside, San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc. School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research

What is a waiver and who is eligible? Certain students may be eligible for a waiver of the hour requirement. Requests for a partial waiver of hours (200) are considered and approved on an individual basis. Students with previous public health employment may be eligible for a partial waiver of hours. Applications will only be considered if a student can verify three years of continuous, paid, public health employment prior to enrollment in the MPH program

How do I apply for a waiver? Time frame: No later than semester prior to start of internship Students shall submit a signed waiver form along with a 2-3 page (single-spaced) narrative describing relevant public health work experience. A review committee assesses the relevance of the previous work experience. Students will be contacted by the MPH Program Manager within 2-3 weeks with a decision. Decisions of the panel are final. A letter confirming a waiver of hours will be sent to the student.

What is a preceptor?  Your site supervisor Appropriate mentorship preceptors must have public health credentials or appropriate health related credentials and experience Preceptor cannot be your faculty advisor

Are field experiences paid? Not expected/required May be negotiated between student and preceptor University usually is not involved in salary/wage arrangements

What needs to be done? Meet with the MPH Program Manager to discuss possible sites – no later than semester prior to start of internship Secure a placement and site preceptor Complete the student forms (legal, travel, learning contract) Provide copies of forms to: MPH Program Manager: Interest, legal, travel MPH Program Director: Learning contract Register for CGH 306 See Program Manager if experiencing difficulty with registration

What needs to be done? Maintain an ongoing field training reflective journals Meet or communicate with Program Director advisor periodically during field training experience Immediately discuss any concerns or questions with your Program Director

What do I do if I am involved with data that might be used for my field training experience? Develop proposal under supervision of faculty advisor and preceptors Gain approval of proposal Submit to IRB for approval, as necessary

How can I make sure my experience is a good experience? Talk with others who have interned at your site, interact with other MPH students about possible sites Meet with your MPH Program Director and preceptor to clarify activities Complete all requirements in a timely manner Immediately discuss concerns or questions with your Program Manager/Director

What are the deadlines? Must submit the Learning Contract before attainment of 100 or 50 hours of work depending upon your particular requirement Register for CGH 306 in the semester you anticipate completing the requirement Submit Application for Poster Presentation Form to the Program Manager at least 1 week prior to the event To receive a final grade, you must submit all deliverables before the end of the term, as outlined in the course syllabus

How is the grade determined? Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Satisfactory performance: Completion of hour requirement Accomplishment of project objectives & student competencies Reflective insights about experience & relevance of previous coursework Preceptor’s recommended evaluation of student’s progress Acceptable poster presentation Unsatisfactory performance Insufficient documentation of items above Program Director will provide guidance if performance is unsatisfactory

Additional Information For more information, please refer to the MPH Supervised Field Training Handbook and forms available at: Contact MPH Program Administration Maggie Hawkins: Darleen Peterson at