Experience Public Health in Action
Practicum at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
The practicum is a unique and dynamic part of your education, offering hands-on public health experience and the chance to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Every year, over 300 UTHealth Houston School of Public Health students engage in practicum opportunities globally and across sectors, making a tangible impact while gaining critical professional skills.
At UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, the Practicum Services Team in the Office of Public Health Practice & Engagement supports students, faculty mentors, and site preceptors from start to finish, ensuring a meaningful and structured experience. From helping students choose practicum sites to providing degree-specific guidance materials, this team supports and maximizes the practicum experience.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact?
Take the next step with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, where your practicum experience becomes a launching pad for your career in public health.
What to Expect:
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor and practicum preceptor (site supervisor), MPH and DrPH students design and complete a 180-hour practicum project, creating high-quality deliverables tailored to the host organization's needs while advancing personal learning goals. Each year, our students contribute over 54,000 hours of service, producing more than 600 professional products such as:
- Needs assessments
- Intervention designs
- Community surveys
- Data collection and analysis
- Systematic literature reviews
Whether you prefer a remote, in-person, or hybrid experience, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers flexibility to help you gain experience in a setting that best fits your goals.
Learn More:
Explore our Practice & Engagement webpage for additional information and data on recently completed practicum experiences.
For Prospective Host Sites:
If you’re interested in hosting a UTHealth Houston School of Public Health practicum student, please visit our employer page HERE to learn how to connect with talented students eager to contribute to your organization’s mission.
Public health practice
The applied practice experience, or practicum, is an exciting opportunity to apply classroom learning in a workplace setting.
Under the direction of a faculty mentor, you will work closely with a practicum preceptor (site supervisor) to design and complete a 180 hour public health practice experience, which will include the production of high-quality deliverables. Your faculty mentor will work with you to ensure that the practice experience and deliverables engage your personal goals and interests while still benefitting the host organization.
The applied practice experience is required for the completion of the MPH and DrPH degrees, but students in all degree-seeking programs are encouraged to participate in a practicum. International students must receive approval from the Office of International Affairs before beginning work on a practicum.
If you’re interested in hosting a student for a practicum at your organization, please visit our employer page.
Current students may access additional information and resources available on the Practicum Overview section of mySPH.
Integrative Learning Experience
The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is a CEPH requirement for the completion of a Master of Public Health degree.
It ensures that all our MPH graduates can integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they have gained during their graduate training. Students have two options for completing their culminating experience: a written paper or product that presents an inquiry into a public health issue or problem, or a capstone course.
Written paper or product
The written paper or product provides our students with the opportunity to develop expertise in a specific topic area and to make a contribution to the field of public health. The paper can take many forms, including, but not limited to: a traditional research thesis, a systemic review of scholarly literature, a policy analysis or practice issue, or a practice-based report. Products can include the development of a public health program or intervention.
Capstone Course
The capstone course is a three-credit class that requires the student to synthesize and integrate competencies as well as problem-solving in areas specific to their public health interest. Capstone courses also require students to create a written product over the duration of their course.
Research opportunities for students
There are a number of different ways our students get involved in research to satisfy their degree requirements, or to simply get valuable experience.
Thesis
A thesis is a long-term research project which allows students to demonstrate their depth of knowledge in their chosen field of public health study. Students in the Master of Science program are required to complete a written research thesis. Students in the Master of Public Health program have the option of completing a written research thesis in fulfillment of their ILE requirements.
Dissertation
A dissertation is a long-term research project which allows students to make a substantive contribution of original theory, practice or work to the field of public health. Students in the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Public Health programs are required to complete a written research dissertation.
Graduate Assistantships
Once registered for courses, you will gain access to our career services platform, Handshake. Graduate Assistant (G.A.), Teaching Assistant (T.A.), and Graduate Research Assistant (G.R.A.) positions are posted on an on-going basis.
Fellowships and traineeships
Fellowships and traineeships offer the opportunity for you to get hands-on experience performing research or working in a professional public health environment. For more information about fellowships, visit the research section of our website.
Professional development and coaching
The Office of Career and Alumni Services offers information, service, training, and support for students looking to explore their interests, build their professional network, and develop professional skills outside of academic coursework. Many of our professional development resources are available through Handshake, a career platform we use to connect students and alumni with job opportunities.
Once you have access to Handshake, you can find professional development resources are listed under the “resources” tab, which include:
- Resume and CV
- Cover Letters
- Interviewing Tips
- Professionalism and Networking
- Salary Negotiation
We also offer the following in-person services at all of our campuses:
- Workshops
- Presentations
- Networking events
- One-to-one mentorship and career counseling
Contact SPHCareerServices@uth.tmc.edu for more information.
