Practicum FAQs

 
What is a practice experience course?

The required placement is a mutually beneficial practical educational experience or internship with an organization that addresses public health-related issues. It is a great opportunity for students to bridge theory and practice, while at the same time making a tangible contribution to a practice setting.

What is the weight and duration of the individual practice experience course?

SPH 598 is worth six units and has a minimum duration of 11 weeks full-time equivalent.

What are the goals of the individual practice experience?

Through the the individual practice experience, students will:

  • integrate, synthesize and apply public health knowledge and skills (i.e., competencies) acquired in MPH courses to a real-world context that is relevant to public health
  • enhance and develop skills needed to function in a professional setting relevant to public health, including:
    • identifying, analyzing and solving problems
    • working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team
    • communicating orally and in writing
    • understanding the mission, structure and functioning of the
      organization and the contextual influences on its work
  • contribute to addressing substantive contemporary problems or issues facing organizations
  • engage in professional self‐assessment and critical reflection
  • explore areas of concentration of particular interest
When do I complete the individual practice experience?

You must have completed all of your core courses and most of your elective courses. You may be allowed to take one course at the same time as your placement. While the individual practice experience can be completed in any term or spread out over two terms, the earliest a student would be eligible to undertake their individual practice experience would be in the winter term of the second year.

How is the individual practice experience course assessed?
The course is assessed on a credit/non-credit basis; no grade is assigned. A successfully completed field practicum course appears on the student's transcript as CR.
Where can I complete my individual practice experience?

Placements are carried out in a wide range of organizations in Alberta, across Canada and beyond. Host organizations include departments at all levels of government — federal, provincial, regional and municipal, as well as non-governmental, non-profit, academic and funding organizations across sectors, and in the private sector.

A smaller number of other MPH students also complete the placement in international or global health settings.

We do not have a list of pre-approved placements. We tailor each practicum placement to the student's learning objectives, based on an assessment of MPH competencies and areas for growth. We strive to make a good match.

The School, through the MPH program director, maintains an inventory of past placements, but new host settings are established on an ongoing basis.

What credentials do supervisors/preceptors need to have?

Placements are very diverse, reflecting the scope of public health. What is most important is that the preceptor can provide mentorship in the student's identified areas for growth. For example, if you want to gain competencies in evaluation, then it is important to work with a mentor with expertise in this area. Likewise, if you want to gain community development/stakeholder engagement skills, you should work with someone who has extensive experience with this. As a result, our field preceptors have a broad range of backgrounds, expertise, qualifications and credentials.

Who is responsible for setting up the placement?

Planning the placement is a responsibility of the student with support from a practice coordinator, sometimes with input from the student's academic advisor. Placement goals and objectives, parameters and requirements are outlined in a course guide.

Clearly, pre-term planning is essential to having a meaningful placement experience. Typically, planning begins at least one full term before the term in which the placement term will begin. Placements outside Alberta and outside Canada require a longer planning time frame. The Practice Office provides annual and ongoing student orientations to the individual practice experience course, planning workshops, and individual support to plan, implement and monitor a relevant practice experience.

Can I expect to be paid for my placement?

The School cannot guarantee that the placement will be paid. We encourage host organizations to provide remuneration; however, not all host organizations have the capacity to do so. Students must be prepared to self-fund the placement.

Students are encouraged to watch for funding opportunities that may arise from time to time within the School or the University of Alberta. Examples include awards for study abroad opportunities and government-sponsored internships. These vary from year to year.