California State University, Los Angeles Department of Public Health PH 496 Internship Policies and Site Information Advisor: Behjat A. Sharif, PhD, MCHES

A site is any agency that offers an internship. Any site you choose must have a contract with CSULA before you can do an internship there. Please visit the department’s internship website for a list of approved internship sites. 2

If a site does not have a contract, you can do an internship there if: 1.The site is willing to sign a contract. 2.The contract is signed before the start of the quarter in which you want to do an internship. 3.This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. You must start this process at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the quarter.

To create a contract with a site not on the approved list, internship faculty advisor with the following information: 1.Name of the organization. 2.Name, phone #, & address of a contact person. (You should have already spoken to this person about interning) 3.You must have this information to the PH internship faculty advisor at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the quarter in which you plan to do the internship.

Once you have been accepted by a site: 1.Discuss your internship duties and responsibilities with the site supervisor. 2.Acquire a Letter of Acceptance from the site supervisor. You will use this letter to fill out the internship Application and Learning Plan.

The Letter of Acceptance The site should provide the following on letterhead stationery: 1.Dates of the internship. 2.What you will do (your responsibilities). 3.The name of your site supervisor. 4.A statement that they approve of your Learning Plan. 5.The signature of a site representative.

The Application and Learning Plan 1.Print out the internship application and learning plan from the PH Department website. 2.Fill these out and read it completely. You may copy the Service Objectives & Learning Objectives from the Letter of Acceptance. **If you are unsure what to write, ask your site supervisor.

Once you have the documents: 1. You can leave the documents at PH department office (Caroline Trejo) to place it in the faculty advisor’s mailbox. 2.Once the PH faculty advisor approves the documents, Caroline will be notified to provide you with a permit (via ) to enroll in PH 496.

To enroll in PH You must have approval from the PH faculty advisor that is send to the department (Caroline Trejo). 2. You must have permit to enroll that is ed to you by Caroline Trejo. 3. Once you have permit, log into GET and enroll in the course. You must do this within two days or the permit elapses, so don’t wait!

PH 496 course materials 1. The syllabus and any other course materials is posted on the Moodle. 2. There are 2 meetings for all student interns discussion of experiences. 3. See syllabus for details 4. Students can the faculty advisor for assistance throughout the quarter.

FAQs Q: What types of sites are appropriate for an internship? A: Many sites are appropriate, but your internship must involve tasks related to your major in public health and your option in community health. Check with the faculty advisor if you are unsure about appropriateness of your internship responsibilities.

FAQs Q: Can I do 8 units of internship in one quarter? A: You can enroll for 8 units at one site. You must provide additional information to get approval, contact the PH faculty advisor.

FAQs Q: Can I get a paid internship? A: If you find one, sure. However, many internships are unpaid. Q: I already work at an agency. Can I do my internship there? A: You will need to do an internship at a site other than where you work. Also, the site must have a contract with CSULA.

FAQs Q: I’m a new Public Health major. When should I do my internships? A: You will do your internships during your senior year. Internships are an opportunity for you to use the skills you’ve gained as a PH major, with an option in community health. So you need to take at least a year of classes before doing an internship.