Host Agencies
Interested in hosting a Public Health Student to support your work?
Do you need help developing a community needs assessment, analyze existing program evaluation data, create training materials, prepare policy briefs, and explore potential funding opportunities? Through the Applied Practice Experience (APEx), public health students can help you develop these and other high-quality products for use in your day-to-day operations.
APEx projects include domestic or international work in nearly every area of public health practice: environmental health sciences, health policy & management, population & family health, epidemiology, sociomedical sciences and biostatistics. In addition to being a vital part of our students’ service learning process, field placement experiences allow students to apply their classroom knowledge and skills to practical settings while making significant contributions to their host organizations.
Columbia Mailman students are able to work on a variety of projects to fulfill their APEx requirements, such as needs assessments, program planning, implementation and/or evaluation, policy analysis, grant writing, research design, data collection and/or analysis, health curriculum development and health education among others.
The duration of practicum ranges from 140 to 350 hours, depending on the academic department. Students in our Global Health program engage in a six-month international practicum. Most MPH, MHA, DrPH students complete their practicum in the summer between the first and second years of their program, and have completed core coursework and several specialization courses, including:
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Utilizing epidemiologic methods in the measurement of disease rates, prevention of infectious diseases
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Conducting evaluation of health education programs and policies
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Using statistical methods for estimation and hypothesis testing, and basics of correlation and regression in analyzing the health of populations
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Understanding the interaction of environmental contaminants with biological systems and their effect on human populations to evaluate risk reduction strategies
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Assessing the impact on health policy options of social, political, technological, economic, and cultural forces
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Utilizing basic management techniques to address organizational challenges in health care delivery
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Examining public health issues from a social and behavioral sciences perspective to better understand health disparities within and between populations.
Agency Supervisors: Roles and Responsibilities
The role of the supervisor is critical to the success of the student’s Applied Practice Experience. In accepting a Mailman student, agency supervisors are encouraged to:
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Assist students in defining and completing a realistic Scope of Work (SOW)
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Determine the need for special training or certifications (e.g., HIPAA, IRB)
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Develop appropriate schedule of work and timeline for deliverables
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Provide agency orientation
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Determine appropriate reporting structure if and when supervisor is not available
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Meet regularly to assess student’s progress and performance
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Invite student to participate in relevant meetings, workshops or seminars
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Complete and submit a student evaluation form at the end of the practicum
Field Practice supervisors are encouraged and welcome to communicate with and seek support from the student’s academic advisor and/or Field Practice as needed. Please contact msph-ofp@cumc.columbia.edu if you have any questions or would like to explore the possibility of hosting one of our students.
Frequently Asked Questions: Host Agencies
Does my organization qualify as an acceptable APEx site?
Agencies or organizations with projects and or initiatives designed to enhance the public health and wellbeing quality as acceptable APEx site. APEx may take place in a wide range of locations including governmental, nongovernmental, nonprofit, industry, and for-profit agencies.
Are university-affiliated settings appropriate as an APEx site?
To be appropriate for APEx projects, university-affiliated settings must be primarily focus on community engagement, and in collaboration with partners outside the university. The project should benefit both the community partner site as well as satisfy students required public health competencies.
Who can be a site supervisor?
A professional with a master’s degree or its equivalence in experience who is knowledgeable in the subject matter. In addition, the supervisor must have the time and commitment to mentor and support the student in the completion of their APEx project.
Does an APEx require payment?
The APEx can be both paid or unpaid and is a graduation requirement for all MPH students. Ideally an opportunity will provide a stipend or financial compensation for their work. However, the most important consideration is that the opportunity aligns with and/or enhances the student’s career goals and interests.
When do students complete their APEx?
Most full-time two-year MPH students complete their APEx during the summer (May-August) between their first and second year. Accelerated students, enrolled in a 12–18-month program, can begin their APEx following the first semester with an extension to the earl summer.
What is the required number of hours?
Most students work for a period of 8-10 weeks and the required number of hours varies by department. Most students must successfully complete at least 200-240 hours to fulfill their requirements. There is flexibility. Students, in collaboration with their supervision can establish an appropriate efficient timeline and working hours needed to complete the APEx.