Master of Public Health - Practicum
Students/Future students
Read on to find out more information about the Master of Public Health Practicum. Alternately, go directly to the practicum database to view potential practicum opportunities.
Practicum Introduction Letter (.pdf)
Practicum hosts
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Practicum Introduction Letter (.pdf)
About the practicum
The University of Waterloo's Master of Public Health program provides opportunities for students to gain relevant practical experience by completing a 12-16 week community-based Applied Practicum, working within a local public health unit, provincial and federal governmental agency, or non-governmental organization. Students with prior public health experience may be eligible to take an Applied Research Practicum in place of the Applied Practicum. The requirement to complete an Applied Practicum will be waived only if the student provides evidence of extensive prior work experience in public health. This will be assessed by the MPH Program Leader.
The practicum is a mandatory component of the MPH degree program and is initiated after all core coursework is complete.
Students work closely with an academic advisor from the program and a field supervisor from the practicum site to set up specific arrangements. With special permission from the MPH Program Leader students may be able to take one final course while completing the practicum term.
The practicum is generally completed on a full-time basis (35 hours/week) over a minimum of 12 weeks, or 420 hours. Part-time practicum placements may be arranged over two terms however students must log a minimum of 420 hours of work over the two terms. It is possible for part-time students to complete their practicum within their current place of employment. Specific arrangements need to be discussed with the student's academic advisor before proceeding with this type of arrangement.
The supervised public health practicum is intended to provide the student with an opportunity to apply course learning in a public health setting. The placement may involve any of the activities or functions of public health: surveillance, policy development, program evaluation, communications, etc. A contract stipulating practicum objectives, and work to be completed and evaluated to meet these objectives, must be jointly approved by the student, the student's field supervisor, the academic supervisor, and the practicum coordinator. A written report by the student, together with a letter from the field supervisor, are used by the practicum coordinator to evaluate student performance. Graded on a Credit/Non-credit basis. This course open to MPH students only. Completion of all MPH coursework required.
