The Practicum is an essential part of the Master of Public Health curriculum and is intended to provide hands-on experience in the field of public health. The Practicum is an opportunity to apply and test public health concepts and theories in practical settings and improve your learning related to the MPH program's public health competencies. The Practicum will account for 3 academic credits.
The Practicum must be conducted in partnership with an agency or organization (hereafter ‘the Practicum Organization’) that is providing a public health service, in the broad sense of public health. The Practicum Organization may be a public health department or a non-governmental agency. The Practicum requires that you develop a supervisory team, which will help you define, plan, and implement the Practicum. The team consists of a Faculty Supervisor, who is a Core Public Health Faculty member, and a Preceptor, who works in the Practicum Organization. The MPH Practicum Coordinator and the Community Engagement and Practicum Placement Coordinator are the team members who will oversee the Practicum process, to ensure that all requirements of the Practicum are met.
Practicum Timing & Planning
- Full-time students (including international students) start the Practicum no later than the summer after the first year in the Program and after completing most core courses.
- Part-time students (including MD/MPH students) start the Practicum after completing most of the core courses.
- Ideas for Practicum projects may come from student interests, faculty suggestions, community agencies, coursework.
- You must complete a Practicum Proposal before beginning work on the Practicum.
Note: Students with placements within Stony Brook University Hospital will be required to set-up a Castlebranch account for background checks and compliance requirements. Students will be responsible for any associated fees.
Practicum Documents
Practicum Manual (2022-2023) (includes Proposal and Final Report Outlines)
Please use the links below when identifying the competencies that will be strengthened through your chosen Practicum. Be advised that at least five competencies, three Foundational and two Concentration Competencies, must be addressed during the Practicum experience.
CEPH Competencies
The 22 Foundational Competencies are found here.
MPH Concentration Competencies
The Health Analytics, Health Policy and Management, and Community Health concentrations also have concentration-specific competencies
MPH Concentration Competencies
- Heath Analytics Concentration Competencies
- Community Health Concentration Competencies
- Health Policy Management Concentration Competencies
Practicum & Internship Resource Directory
For examples of practicum project for each of the concentrations please click the links below:
Health Policy and Management (Public Health Practice prior to Fall 2014)
Community Health
Epidemiology & Biostatistics (Formerly known as Health Analytics prior to Fall 2022, and Evaluative Science prior to Fall 2014)
In addition, please visit our organization directory of possible internship and/or practicum sites. For best results, download the PDF file and open it using a PDF reader as this will allow use of the table of contents.
