Practicum Start to Finish

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Why an Internship or Practicum?

An internship/practicum experience is a graduation requirement for all enrolled University of Texas School of Public Health degree seeking students enrolled in a masters or doctorate level public health degree program.  The Internship/ Practicum experience will allow SPH students to gain valuable experience in applying their classroom education with professional interests and ambitions through a structured learning platform under the supervision of site supervisor (Preceptor).   

Planning and Locating your Practicum Experience

Internship opportunities can be completed at anytime during your course of study, however most students elect to complete this experience during the second half of their degree program.  It is highly advised to begin internship research one full semester prior to the anticipated start date.  There are many links available though uth.tmc.edu, local, state and government organizations and the public and private sector as well that offer semester long internship.  Brownsville Regional Campus Students  will also be able to find updated internship opportunities posted between N. 220 and N. 240 on the second floor of the R.A.H.C. building.

Upon locating, applying to and being accepted into an internship program, SPH students will be required to complete a one page “Field Experience Agreement” form.  This form will be completed by the student and signed by all three parties (preceptor, faculty sponsor and student).  About 4 weeks prior to the anticipated completion of the practicum experience, the student and preceptor are required to complete evaluation forms, the form is a measure of many facets of the experience including student performance which will  be evaluated when the faculty sponsor issues a semester grade.     

Credit Value

Internship experiences are available in 1-9 credit increments per semester

On average 1 credit of study equals 3 hours of independent work per week*

1 credit = 3 hours                 2 credits = 6 hours               3 credits = 9 hours

4 credits = 12 hours             5 credits = 15 hours             6 credits = 18 hours

7 credits = 21 hours             8 credits = 24 hours             9 credits = 27 hours

*Actual graduation credit value and credit to hour equation will be agreed upon by the instructor and student through an evaluation of practicum expectations and requirements