What are Field Experience projects?
Field Experiences are an integral component of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) curricula. These experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge and skills to public health practice. Placement sites benefit from the partnership through support in various project areas including program design and development; evaluation; public health policy and advocacy; data collection, analysis, and visualization; beach water quality testing; literature reviews; annual reports; and social media campaigns.
What kinds of organizations participate in Field Experience?
Non-profit organizations, hospitals, local health departments, local and state government agencies, free clinics & community health centers, academic institutions, and research lab settings.
How will my organization benefit?
- Preceptors will get experience with supervision and mentoring.
- The organization will gain increased capacity to complete existing or sidelined projects.
- Precepting can enhance your organization’s visibility in the public health community.
- The organization can explore academic connections and develop new partnerships.
- The organization can support the education of future public health professionals.
What happens after I submit a project?
After you submit a project using the Project Form the Community Engagement Coordinator will reach out to you to let you know when it has been received. Your project will be added to a list for students to review. If a student is interested in your project, they will email your organization’s contact person. If you and the student decide to work together, they will draft a Learning Agreement specific to your project. The Field Experience staff/faculty and the preceptor will review the Learning Agreement and provide feedback. When all reviewers approve of the document, the student can begin the Field Experience in the intended semester.
What are examples of projects?
- Social media campaign
- Program evaluations
- Surveys and assessments
- Data entry and collection, analysis, and visualization
- Annual report
- Policy briefs
- Infographic, brochures, flyers
- Literature review and more…
What kind of timeline for the Field Experience can I expect?
| Fall Semester Placement | Early September to mid-December |
| Spring Semester Placement | Late January to mid-May |
| Summer Semester Placement | Late May to mid-August |
Note: The preparation for the Field Experience, including meeting with the Field Experience staff and providing feedback on the Learning Agreement, may require 2-4 hours of your time over a six-week period prior to the start of the placement in the intended semester.
Preceptor Orientation Video (16 min)
Questions? Please contact us at zcph-communityengagement@uwm.edu
