What are experiential learning opportunities?

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center's (MAR-PHTC) experiential learning opportunities provide public health students a $3,500 stipend while they work on a project that offers  professional experience and career connections. This Health Resources and Services Administration program helps students increase their skills while organizations achieve their goals.

MAR-PHTC adopts a collaborative team approach for its experiential learning opportunities. Together, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, and West Virginia University School of Public Health facilitate experiential learning. We strive to create opportunities to help the future public health workforce meet the demands they will face as public health professionals.

Eligibility

Students can apply for an experiential learning opportunity if:

• they have not previously completed a MAR-PHTC Field Placement or Collaborative Project;
• they are enrolled part- or full-time in an accredited graduate school of public health master's or doctoral program;
• they are not currently employed by either the University of Pittsburgh or UPMC, including as a Teaching Assistant or Fellow or Graduate Student Assistant or Researcher (hourly student workers are eligible); and
• they are a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen U.S. national, or a foreign national who is a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., in possession of a green card). NOTE: Due to our federal funding requirements, individuals on a student visa are NOT eligible to apply.
  *All projects must take place in the United States.
  
  

Field Placements: Real World Experiences for Public Health Students and an Invaluable Resource for Organizations

Field placements (FP) embed public health students in a public or non-profit health organization, particularly ones serving underserved areas and populations, to work on public health projects. These placements provide structured experiences that allow students to apply acquired knowledge and skills in a public health practice setting. If you are working on a project in a university setting, reach out to us to explore your options.

Student requirements and deliverables include:

• Project completion within one year of the start date (2 years for part-time students)
• A scientific report or poster presentation
• An abstract suitable for submission to a public health conference (it is not required that you submit to a conference, the intent is to practice drafting an abstract)
  
• Other deliverables required by the host organization
• Participation in a conference or department poster fair is encouraged for all students and required for Pitt PH students (e.g. Dean’s Day, Epi in Action, West Virginia Rural Health Association Conference)
  

Detailed information:  Field Placement Handbook

Students Looking for a Field Placement

Are you looking for a practicum experience?

1. Create your own project. Are you a Pitt Public Health student who already has a project or organization in mind? To apply, complete the Field Placement Proposal form. Please be prepared to include: 
   
   • the name of the student and supervisor and the organization the student will work with; 
     
   • the public health service provided by the organization; 
   • a project title and short description; 
   • two or more learning objectives for the project; 
   • the qualitative and/or quantitative methodology you’ll use to address the objectives; 
   • how the project will contribute to services that will benefit the organization and/or the population they serve; 
   • the proficiencies necessary to fulfill the project; and 
   • the project start and end date and estimated number of hours required to complete the project.
   
   
2. Apply for an existing opportunity.
   MAR-PHTC Field Placements offered by community partners are available to Drexel, JHU, Pitt Public Health, and WVU students.
   Conduct a curriculum review for Courage to Caregivers.
   
   Complete the Student Field Placement Application
   Please be prepared to include:
   
   • the name of the project you’re applying for;
   • a personal statement about your interests and goals; and
   • a current résumé or CV including paid and unpaid public health experience.
   MAR-PHTC offers a limited number of field placements each fiscal year. We review proposals on a rolling basis. Project spots are competitive and submission of a proposal does not guarantee acceptance.
   
   Email us at marphtc@pitt.edu to learn more. 

Organizations Looking for a Student

Does your organization need help with...

• launching a new program;
• delivering your health campaign to the public;
• breathing new life into a project;
• evaluating a specific program;
• collecting and analyzing data;
• planning public events; or
• research, design, and marketing?

Complete a Field Placement Request Form to get started. Please be prepared to include:

• a project title and brief description;
• two or more learning objectives for the project;
• the proficiencies necessary to fulfill the project; and
• the project start and end date and the estimated number of hours required to complete the project.

MAR-PHTC offers a limited number of field placements each fiscal year. Projects are accepted on a rolling basis (i.e., first-come first-served). Because of this constraint, field placements start dates may be delayed until July 1. Additionally, we cannot guarantee that a field placement opportunity will be filled as this is contingent upon the number of student applicants and their qualifications for the position. As such, the site-supervisor may not find a match among the students interviewed.

Email us at marphtc@pitt.edu to learn more.

Projects at Our Partner Schools

In addition to Pitt Public Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health and West Virginia University School of Public Health offer experiential learning projects through MAR-PHTC. Each academic partner has its own guidelines for facilitating Field Placements and Collaborative Projects for students at their school. Contact them to learn more.

• Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health; Jennifer Kolker at jkolker@drexel.edu
• West Virginia University School of Public Health; Audra Hamrick at audra.hamrick@hsc.wvu.edu
  
  

Networking: Exchange

Twice each academic year, MAR-PHTC presents Exchange, a virtual event that enables public health students to learn from and interact with panelists working in public health. Exchange provides both students and panelists opportunities to mutually enrich their futures within the public health workforce. Students will discover career possibilities, hone areas of interest and focus, and forge connections with others who have experience and  knowledge to share. Panelists detail their own paths taken through education, experience, and employment, resulting in their current positions.
Access recording of previous Exchanges under the Careers in Public Health category.

Contact Us and Quick Links

Contact Us
Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center: contact Ben Pelhan at marphtc@pitt.edu
Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health: contact Jennifer Kolker at jkolker@drexel.edu
West Virginia University School of Public Health: contact Audra Hamrick at audra.hamrick@hsc.wvu.edu

Forms
Student Field Placement Application
Pitt Public Health Field Placement Proposal Student-initiated Project
Field Placement Request Form Site Supervisor-initiated Project

Handbook
Field Placement Handbook