During your practicum, you'll gain real-world experience working in public health for a community host site. It's
a great opportunity to develop and deepen your public
health skills, see how the theory you're learning in the classroom
applies in practice, and improve your understanding of the challenges
and opportunities that public health professionals face.
For our MPH students, the practicum experience is a chance to get your feet wet and try out what you've been learning. For our DrPH students, the practicum is an important opportunity to demonstrate and deepen your leadership skills.
Our practice-based learning courses (practicum and capstone) are designed to allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in a public health setting, acquire additional skills, and demonstrate competencies. Therefore, we strongly discourage students from completing their practicum and/or capstone at their current place of employment. Students who are considering a practicum placement and/or capstone project at their current place of employment, should reach out to their campus contact to discuss the opportunity. To explore funding opportunities and scholarships, please visit the financing your education page.
While it's not required, we recommend that MPH students complete their practicum (PUBH 6606) prior to completing their capstone. Please review the eligibility requirements and "steps to complete" sections below—and complete the required steps—before registering for the practicum course.
Students whose home campus is CU Anschutz are required to take two capstone courses—first, the capstone preparation course (BIOS/EPID/EHOH/HSMP/CBHS 6990) and then the capstone integration course (PUBH 6991).
MPH students must complete 120+ hours* of public health fieldwork and a 2 credit academic course for their practicum. DrPH students must complete a minimum of 240 contact hours and 4 credit hours.
*Please note: ColoradoSPH at UNC students are required to complete 150 hours. Dual degree programs may require additional practicum hours. Please consult
the Dual Degree Handbook on the calendars, policies & handbooks webpage for specific requirements.
You must first submit a practicum proposal prior to registering for the practicum course. Once approved, you will receive a registration code. After you have registered for the practicum course, you may begin logging the required hours for your practicum.
Requirements
Review the eligibility and practicum requirements and recommendations listed above. Please contact your advisor as you begin preparing for your practicum to ensure you're completing any additional requirements that are specific to your degree program.
Funding resources
We encourage our students to explore funding
resources for their practicum and/or capstone. Students may apply for funding opportunities including, but not limited to:
To learn more about these funding opportunities and how to apply, please visit the financing your education page.
MPH students
Research host sites and connect with potential preceptors. After you've done your research, identify a practicum opportunity that you would like to pursue.
How to find a host site:
DrPH students
Please work with your academic advisor to identify a practicum opportunity that's aligned with your professional goals and interests.
Develop a learning plan with feedback from your preceptor.* In the plan, describe activities and related public health competencies that you will focus on during the practicum. Obtain signatures from your preceptor and your academic advisor on the final version of your learning plan.
Please find the latest learning plan and proposal templates and forms below, under the "forms" section.
*Important note: ColoradoSPH at UNC students are also required to attend a mandatory practicum orientation meeting. Please contact Teresa.sharp@unco.edu for current deadlines.
Please find the most current practicum proposal, learning plan, and forms below, under the "forms" section.
Please make sure to review the submission deadlines below to ensure your proposal is submitted on time.
| Home campus | Required materials | Who to send materials to |
| CU Anschutz | Please submit the following items as part of your practicum proposal:
| Upload all practicum proposal documents under assignment in your Canvas PBL Primer course |
| CSU | Detailed instructions and current submission due dates are available in the CSU Canvas pre-practicum course. Please contact your faculty advisor with any questions. | Detailed instructions and current submission due dates are available in the CSU Canvas pre-practicum course. Please contact your faculty advisor with any questions. |
| UNC | Please submit the following items as part of your practicum proposal:
ColoradoSPH at UNC students are also required to attend a mandatory practicum orientation. Please contact Teresa.Sharp@unco.edu for more information. | Submit your completed practicum proposal to Teresa.Sharp@unco.edu. |
Our practice-based learning coordinators will review and approve practicum proposal requests or provide feedback, if revisions are needed.
Once your proposal is approved, you'll receive a code to register for the practicum course.
| Home campus | Course number to register for | |
| MPH students | CU Anschutz | PUBH 6606 |
| CSU | PBHC 6860 | |
| UNC | CH693/CHBH6930 | |
| DrPH students | CU Anschutz | PUBH 6850 |
| Home campus | U.S. experiences | International experiences | |
| MPH students | CU Anschutz | Fall 2023: August 14, 2023 Spring 2024: January 8, 2024 Summer 2024: May 13, 2024 | Summer/Fall 2023: April 1, 2023
|
| CSU | Detailed instructions and current submission due dates are available in the CSU Canvas pre-practicum course. Please contact your faculty advisor with any questions. | ||
| UNC | Materials are due the semester before you will complete your practicum. Please contact Teresa.sharp@unco.edu
for current due dates. | ||
| DrPH students | CU Anschutz | Fall 2023: August 14, 2023 Spring 2024: January 8, 2024 Summer 2024: May 13, 2024 | |
| Home campus | Forms and resources | |
| All practicum students | All | |
| MPH students | CU Anschutz
UNC |
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| CSU |
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| DrPH students |
