Applied Practice and Integrative Learning Experience for Health Policy (MPH65)

HPM 965.P1 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

All students completing a Master of Public Health degree must complete an Applied Practice Experience (“Practicum”) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE). This required course is designed to meet both these degree requirements.  This course allows students to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills they are gaining from their coursework, and to apply them to a real-world health policy issue or problem.
 
In the first section, students will explore practicum opportunities and decide on a placement for the summer. Working with the course instructor and their summer preceptor, they will develop a project plan and learning objectives for the summer. Students will also enhance the skills they need to function in a professional public health setting, including gaining a better understanding of their work preferences and strengths, learning about the practice of health policy from experienced practitioners, including Harvard Chan alumni, and engaging in professional self-assessment and critical reflection.
 
In the second section, students will share their summer practicum experience with peers and learn from the experiences of others at an MPH65 practicum poster session. They will also assess their progress on attaining the MPH65 health policy program competencies and develop a professional development plan. Lastly, they will produce a final paper that integrates select competencies.

This is a two-semester course worth a total of 2.5 credits. Part 1 of the course (HPM 965.P1) is 1.25 credits and takes place in Fall 2 of the first year. The practicum takes place during the summer. Part 2 of the course (HPM 965.P2) is 1.25 credits takes place in Full Fall of the second year.

The second-year course, HPM 965.P2, is a Full Fall course; however, it is structured so that there are only class meetings in Fall 1. The remaining portion of the course has no class meetings during Fall 2, so that students can complete their ILE work and also have the ability to register for another course during that time slot if they choose.

Course Requirements: Course restricted to MPH-65 HP students. This is a required course.