A: A Field Experience is one of three culminating experiences for students seeking the MPH and the Industrial Hygiene MSPH. Students are expected to complete their Field Experience in an organization, agency, or community that provides planning or services relevant to public health. Your Field Experience will help further develop skills or competencies learned in your academic program as you have the opportunity to take theory you have learned in the classroom and apply it in a real world public health setting.

Practical experience is a critical part of professional preparation. It contributes meaningfully to a student's plan and vision for his/her public health career development. Students learn a great deal about organizational structure, collaborative team work and management skills, via the field experience.  They also are able to explore a profession or field of public health prior to graduation.

Professional Preparation

• Provide community service
• Integrate theory with practice
• Identify areas for research
• Analyze community health problem

Career Development

• Gain work experience
• Explore career options
• Define career objectives
• Develop contacts for the future

A:Students should successfully complete all core classes before applying/registering for Field Experience. It is critical that students have knowledge and understanding of the key areas of Public Health.  Students must register for their Field Experience during the semester when they intend to serve the Field Experience.

A: Your Field Experience can range from 1-12 credit hours, as determined by your academic advisor. The advisor will examine your educational and professional backgrounds, as well as departmental policy, to determine the number of credit hours that you must fulfill.  Note that 1credit hour = 45 contact hours that the field site.

The Field Experience may last one semester or may span several semesters.

A: Should link to http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/dfe/stepstimeline.html.

A: Review the field experience timeline and steps found at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/dfe/stepstimeline.html.

A:

• Review the field experience opportunities that are posted on the COPH student listserv and in the COPH student lobby
• Review the list of previous field experience sites found at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/pdf/Former%20Sites.pdf
• Visit your academic department and speak with your faculty advisor, other professors and your academic coordinator about their recommendations for field experience
• Contact the field placement coordinator for information on previous field experience sites
• Utilize the Internet to research internships and field experience opportunities at organizations where you would like to work

A: A field experience can be paid or unpaid.  The typical wage for paid field experiences is approximately $8-15 per hour.  In lieu of an hourly wage some field experiences will offer:

• Stipend-A fixed some of money paid directly to the student
• Tuition waiver-Money paid directly to USF to cover all or a portion of the tuition fees association with field experience
• Transportation assistance-Mileage reimbursement or a fixed amount to assist with transportation to and from the field site
• Housing allowance-Housing dedicated for student interns or money to offset/pay for hotel accommodations
• Note that some sites (especially non-profits) are unable to offer any of the above