Public Health Practice
Overview
An integral part of the USC MPH program, the practicum is a structured and supervised professional experience with an approved agency for which students receive academic credit. The practicum consists of 260 hours of field training in a public health agency, such as a county health department, or a community-based organization. As a working partnership between students and public health agencies, the practicum offers students hands-on experience in an area of public health.
The goal of the practicum is to further students’ practical experience while enhancing the work of public health. Through the practicum, students have the opportunity to demonstrate an integration of coursework into a real-world setting, preparing them for a professional career in public health. Students have the opportunity to complete their practicum through an international experience if desired.