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

What is a field training experience? A integrative, practical experience in the CGU MPH program Worth 4 units of coursework Timeframe of placement is 1 semester to as much as a 1 year term Serves as the culminating experience for the degree Taken after completion of all MPH core and concentration courses

What is the purpose of field training requirement? Provides a professional experience where knowledge and existing skills from coursework are applied to a real world experience Students gain experience within the field of public health and their specialization Fosters professional networking for students Addresses and reflects on MPH student competencies Provides a guided, supportive transition from student life to a professional career.

What is a preceptor?  Another name for your site supervisor Appropriate mentorship preceptors must have public health credentials or appropriate health related experience Ideally, preceptor should have an MPH If not, an advanced degree in a similar field is acceptable (MSW, PhD) We will consider those without an advanced degree if they have significant public health experience Program director will make the determination of preceptor qualifications Faculty advisors/mentors can serve as your preceptor

What kinds of agencies have students found field experiences? Local, state and national health departments Healthcare organizations Non-profit organizations Worksite health promotion programs International contacts Government agencies Schools/Colleges/Universities Research organizations Community based organizations Voluntary health organizations

What specific sites have students found field experiences in the past? Azusa Neighborhood Wellness Center City of Hope Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Foothill AIDS Project Planned Parenthood Orange County & San Bernardino Veterans Benefits Administration-Honolulu Regional Office Riverside, San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc. World Health Organization UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Randall Lewis Fellowship with placements in several city governments

Are field experiences paid? Occasionally, stipends may be offered Payment may be negotiated between student and preceptor University usually is not involved in negotiating salary/wage arrangements

What is a waiver and who is eligible to apply? Certain students may be eligible for a partial waiver of the hour requirement. Requests for a waiver of 200 of the 400 hour requirement 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? Recommended time frame for submitting a waiver is the 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 are the prerequisites for conducting field training? 1. Complete MPH core and concentration coursework (or be in the final semester of coursework) 2. Secure approval from the Program Director during academic advisement 3. Attend an orientation session 4. Complete the Student Interest Form and schedule a meeting with the MPH Program Manager to discuss: Interests and possible sites for field training experience Agency Affiliation paperwork Placement search strategy

What questions should I ask myself when selecting a field training experience? What do I want to learn during this experience? Specifically, does the agency have work opportunities related to my concentration? What skills do I have and how can I contribute to the agency? Is the agency located in a community with which I am already somewhat familiar? Is the agency located where I might be able to stay with friends or family to reduce costs? Is the environment of the site and travel to and from the site safe? Does the experience represent the type of setting in which I would eventually like to be employed? Is the agency located in a community large enough to likely contain significant employment options into which I might network? Is the agency located in a area of the country where I would like to live?

What are some strategies & resources to identify field experiences? Check announcements regarding internship opportunities circulated through SCGH administration and on Canvas Check the list of CGU-MPH affiliated sites Consult MPH Program Manager or faculty Contact agencies directly regarding openings Go on informational interviews Speak to students and alumni about their experiences Connect with guest speakers in your classes, panelists from symposiums Explore online resources from national public health associations (APHA, ASPPH) Apply to special fellowships (LA County Public Health, Randall Lewis Fellowship

Do I pay tuition for field training units? Yes, field training units count as part of the credit hours necessary for graduation. Students must be enrolled and pay all tuition & fees and any additional expenses (i.e. cost of transportation to the field training site, materials). Students enroll in 4 units of CGH 306 during one of their last semesters at CGU.

What are the steps involved in completing the field training requirement? 1. Attend an orientation session 2. Complete the student interest form and student legal form in preparation for a meeting with the Program Manager to discuss possible sites and strategies 3. Contact and interview with potential sites 4. Acquire approval of the placement from the Program Manager 5. Meet with the Program Director to go over the requirements for CGH 306 and determine the semester of registration 6. Begin field training hours and keep track of hours with a time card 7. Register for CGH 306 and begin completing course requirements 8. Submit learning contract to the Program Manager for approval

What are the requirements for the supervised field training course: CGH 306? 1. Keep track of your hours with a timecard 2. Submit reflective journals 3. Submit mid-point responses and schedule an optional meeting with Program Director to discuss your experience 4. Develop and present a poster summarizing your experience 5. Complete a student evaluation

What are the deadlines? Must submit the Learning Contract before attainment of 100 or 50 hours of work depending upon your particular hour 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 to the Program Director before the end of the term, as outlined in the CGH 306 course syllabus (if not, you will receive an grade of INCOMPLETE)

How is the grade for CGH 306 determined? Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Satisfactory performance: Completion of hour requirement [400 or 200 (with waiver)] Demonstrated accomplishment of project objectives & student competencies Insights about experience & relevance of previous coursework reflected in journals, mid-point review and student evaluation Acceptable poster presentation delivered to peers, faculty, staff and supervisor (if applicable) Unsatisfactory performance Non-completion or unsatisfactory completion of items listed above Program Director will provide further guidance if performance is unsatisfactory

What do I do if I am involved with human subject data that might be used for my field training experience? Develop proposal under supervision of faculty advisor and/or preceptors Gain approval of proposal from Program Director Submit to IRB for approval Revise if necessary

Need Additional Information? For more information, please refer to the MPH Supervised Field Training Handbook and forms available at: and on Canvas Contact MPH Program Administration Ms. Kimberly Johnson: Dr. Darleen Peterson at