Guide to the
Public Health Internship
(EPID 693)
Click to download
the Public Health Internship Guide
1. Introduction
The Public Health Internship is a supervised experience designed
to expose MPH graduate students to a real-world public health practice
setting, requiring them to integrate classroom knowledge and skills
in practical applications in a professional environment. Each student
intern works with a practice site supervisor who assigns tasks, instructs
the student in new skills, and evaluates the student’s progress.
The Site Supervisor communicates with the Public Health Internship
Director, who assigns a grade of satisfactory or unsatisfactory based
on the Site Supervisor’s input as well as the student’s
documentation of the internship experience.
2. Purpose
Most graduate students lack professional work experience or work
experience in the field of public health. The public health internship
allows students to acquire hands-on, practical experience that complements
course work and current professional knowledge and skills. Students
will interact with other public health professionals and, in some
cases, with the populations they serve. Students will have opportunities
to integrate their knowledge and skills as they work on assigned
tasks. The internship experience may also give MPH students an advantage
in finding employment after graduation.
3. Learning Objectives
Major learning objectives include the following:
- to provide a learning experience for MPH students that relates theory to practice in a public health agency or organization
- to enable students to develop competencies in skills needed by public health professionals
- to promote students’ understanding of advocacy to improve public health outreach and delivery programs
4. Benefits of the Internship Program
In addition to giving students a structured experience in a public
health field site, the Internship Program is designed to create relationships
between students, faculty, and practice site personnel. These relationships
contribute to educational experiences that ultimately will benefit
the health of the population at large.
Student benefits include:
- Augmenting academic study through experience in a real-world public health setting
- Achieving academic goals and assisting in career planning
- Applying theoretical concepts to real life situations
- Establishing a professional network
Faculty benefits include:
- Keeping updated on current practices and policies
- Exchanging knowledge for the achievement of mutual goals
- Creating opportunities for practice research
Practice site benefits include:
- Expanding access to public health expertise
- Establishing academic relationships for future collaborative efforts
- Identifying new public health personnel
5. Credits and Requirements
The public health internship is a 1-3 credit-hour course offered
year round. Students must earn 3 credit hours towards the internship
and may not register for more than 3 credit hours in a single semester.
Although most students choose to register for 3 credit hours in a single
semester, the option of 1-2 hours in a semester is also available for
students in special circumstances (e.g., a student with unusual schedule
constraints). These students may work with the Internship Director
and their site supervisor to arrange spreading the internship experience
over more than one semester. Students should note that taking fewer
than 3 credit hours in a semester limits the breadth and depth of the
internship experience.
A student must work a minimum number of hours in a community-based organization or public health agency to earn credit. Below is a breakdown of the hours that must be worked to earn a specific number of credits.
| Credits earned | Minimum hours required to work |
| 3 | 180 |
| 2 | 120 |
| 1 | 60 |
Based on a 14-week semester, student interns registered for 3 credit hours must average close to 15 hours in the internship per week during a full semester.
Students must complete a minimum of 18 academic credits, including EPID 571, Principles of Epidemiology, before they may apply for an internship. Following this guideline, most (full-time) students should plan to take the internship in their third or fourth semester of the MPH Program.
Students are expected to complete the internship by the end of the semester in which they registered for the internship. Exceptions require approval by the Site Supervisor, the Faculty Advisor, and the Public Health Internship Director.
6. Applying for the internship
Students
apply for the internship by completing an Internship
Application available on the Department website (http://www.epidemiology.vcu.edu/Internship/internshipPlanning.htm).
The student must obtain the signature of his/her Faculty Advisor
on the application, then scan the application to a pdf file. The
student then submits the pdf version of the application and an
electronic version of a current resume/CV to the Public Health
Internship Director lsanders@vcu.edu. A
student must submit the internship application no later than the
first four weeks of the semester before the one in which the student
intends to enroll in the internship. For example, a student
planning to enroll in an internship in the fall semester should
submit the application in the first four weeks of the summer semester.
This deadline allows for adequate time to match a student with
a practice site and make other necessary arrangements, such as
processing documentation required by the internship site.
7. Selecting the internship site
The Public Health Internship Director reviews student applications
and selects potential sites based on student interest, then arranges
a meeting with the student. A student may suggest a site where s/he
would like to complete an internship. However, the internship site
must be selected in consultation with the Public Health Internship
Director, who is the primary liaison with all internship sites (See
Internship Sites for a list of potential internship
sites). When a probable site is selected, the student contacts the
site by writing a cover
letter to the site representative, expressing
interest in interning at that site and enclosing a current resume.
This inquiry may be made via email.
Once the potential internship site responds to the student’s letter, the student should schedule a meeting with the designated Site Supervisor to discuss the scope of the internship. Site Supervisors are qualified public health professionals experienced in an area of public health that is of interest to the student and having skills to supervise and evaluate graduate student work.
If the student and site appear to be a good match, the next step is to complete the Internship Contract.
8. Internship Contract
The Student Intern, Site Representative (who may also be the Site
Supervisor), and Site Supervisor must read and sign the internship
contract, which outlines the general responsibilities of the parties
involved in the internship. This process should be completed preferably
before the student begins the internship but no later than two weeks
from the start date of the internship. The student must obtain signatures
from her/his Faculty Advisor and the Public Health Internship Director,
make copies for her/his own files and the Site Supervisor, and provide
the Public Health Internship Director with the original copy of the
contract.
9. Proposed Plan of Action/Timeline
The student will then begin planning for the internship. After
consulting with the Site Supervisor, the student should draft a proposed
Plan of Action (PA), which outlines the goals and objectives for the
internship, specific tasks expected to be completed, and a timeline
for completing these tasks. The PA can be completed using the template
available here. Students are encouraged to complete the PA
prior to the start of the internship semester. The absolute deadline
for completion of the PA is two weeks from the start date of the
internship.
Students must obtain verbal approval of the PA from the Site Supervisor and the Public Health Internship Director and provide copies to the Public Health Internship Director and Faculty Advisor. If a major change in tasks occurs during the internship, the student must revise the PA accordingly and submit the new version to the Site Supervisor, Faculty Advisor, and Public Health Internship Director.
10. Communicating with Faculty Advisor
Students must inform their Faculty Advisors of their plans
for the internship, obtaining Advisor signature on the Internship Application
and Internship Contract and providing the Advisor with a copy of the
PA. Students must provide the Faculty Advisor and Public Health Internship
Director with a mid-semester update through an internal progress report.
(See item 13.b.)
11. IRB approval
If the topic of interest for the internship involves collecting
data, working with confidential data, or working with human subjects,
the student is advised to contact the Public Health Internship Director
for guidance. Approval may be required by the VCU Institutional Review
Board (IRB) prior to the start of the internship.
12. Compensation for internship
The Public Health Internship is designed to provide students with
valuable field experience for academic credit. Students should not
expect to receive compensation for their work on the internship.
However, in a few cases, a site may provide student stipends. Students
who are offered stipends or other payment for their work on the internship
must inform the Public Health Internship Director that they are being
compensated.
13. Student reporting requirements
The reporting requirements include three components—a
daily Work Log, informal monthly reports, and a brief written report.
- Daily Work Log: The student documents the time spent in the actual work setting, type of work performed, any problems encountered, and comments (see template). The Student Intern should submit copies of the pages of the Work Log to the Site Supervisor to sign or initial no less frequently than every 2 weeks. The student must submit the original signed/initialed copy to the Public Health Internship Director at the end of the internship.
- Mid-semester report: The student must provide an informal progress report to her/his Faculty Advisor and the Public Health Internship Director mid-way through the internship. This may be done via email. The report should simply summarize the work the student has done, whether the student has deviated from the PA, and any problems encountered.
- Internship report: This written report is a 3-5 page summary of the internship experience, addressing the guidelines. The written report must be submitted to the Internship Director and the Faculty Advisor no later than the last day of classes of the semester.
14. Evaluation
Two forms of evaluation are employed for the Public Health
Internship—an
informal meeting mid-semester and a more formal survey completed
at the conclusion of the internship.
- Mid-semester evaluation. Approximately halfway through the internship (mid-semester), the Student Intern and Site Supervisor should meet to assess progress to date and discuss problems and potential solutions. The Public Health Internship Director may be invited to this meeting, if desired, or may ask to participate in such a meeting.
- Final evaluation. Both the Student Intern and the Site Supervisor will participate in an evaluation of the internship experience by accessing an on-line survey found at http://www.epidemiology.vcu.edu/Internship/forms/evaluationForms.htm. Through these instruments, the Student Intern and Site Supervisor can reflect upon the internship and make suggestions for improvements in the process. In addition, the Site Supervisor is required to complete a brief assessment of the student’s performance during the internship (Site Supervisor Student Performance Evaluation).
15. Assignment of Grade
The Public Health Internship is graded as satisfactory, unsatisfactory,
or fail (S/U/F). The Public Health Internship Director assigns grades
based on the Site Supervisor Student Performance Evaluation and the
student’s Internship Report, signed Work Log, and Plan of Action.
If the student’s work for the internship is judged to be unsatisfactory,
further work will be required to satisfy the internship requirements.
The Internship Director will work with the Site Supervisor and the
student’s Faculty Advisor to establish criteria for additional
work to enable the student to complete the requirements.
Table 1 lists the items that the student must submit or complete by the last day of classes in the semester to meet the requirements for the internship and be assigned a grade.
Table 1. Required Submissions to Obtain Grade for Public Health Internship
Required Item |
Submit to |
Internship Report |
Public Health Internship Director |
Mid-semester Report |
Public Health Internship Director |
Work Log with signatures/initials from Site Supervisor |
Public Health Internship Director |
Most recent version of the Plan of Action |
Public Health Internship Director |
Student Evaluation of Internship |
Complete and submit on line |
16. Specific responsibilities of key members of the internship team
a. Student Responsibilities
- Submit Internship application
- Work with the Public Health Internship Director to select an internship site
- Contact potential Site Supervisor to request informal interview/meeting
- Meet with the Site Supervisor to develop the Plan of Action, including goals and expectations for the internship
- Obtain all required signatures for the Internship Contract, filing the original with the Public Health Internship Director and copies with the Site Supervisor and self
- Obtain approval of the Plan of Action from the Site Supervisor and the Public Health Internship Director (and provide a copy to the Faculty Advisor) no later than two weeks from the start date of the internship
- Report on time for work and maintain a work schedule as described in the Plan of Action, making daily entries in the Work Log
- Adhere to recommendations for professional attire and comply with any other site policies and regulations
- Provide mid-semester progress report to Faculty Advisor and Public Health Internship Director
- Schedule meetings with the Site Supervisor, the Faculty Advisor, and the Public Health Internship Director as described in the Plan of Action
- Submit the Internship Report to the Public Health Internship Director and Faculty Advisor
- Provide Public Health Internship Director with the original copy of the signed Work Log and latest version of the PA
- Complete the on-line survey to evaluate the internship experience
b. Faculty Advisor Responsibilities
- Provide guidance to student as needed during the planning phase and ensure that the proposed work is appropriate, given the academic and professional goals of the internship and the MPH program
- Direct student to appropriate resources as needed throughout the semester
- Meet or correspond with the student as needed to review progress and assist in resolving any difficulties
- Review the student’s Internship report
c. Site Supervisor Responsibilities
- Review and approve the student intern’s Plan of Action no later than two weeks from the start of the internship
- Assign appropriate tasks for the student intern, keeping menial tasks such as filing and clerical work, phone answering, etc., to a minimum
- Arrange regular (e.g., weekly) meetings with Student Intern to monitor progress
- Monitor student intern’s attendance on a biweekly basis by signing the Work Log, to ensure that the intern puts in the agreed-upon number of hours during the semester
- Instruct the student intern in new skills
- Evaluate the student intern’s progress at least twice during the semester and communicate with the Public Health Internship Director as needed
- Contact the Public Health Internship Director if any questions or problems arise concerning the student intern or the program
- Meet with the student intern at least once during the semester to evaluate progress
- Complete the on-line evaluation of the student intern’s performance
- Complete the on-line evaluation of the internship experience
d. Public Health Internship Director Responsibilities
- Contact potential practice sites and make arrangements for new internships
- Prepare and coordinate all affiliate site agreements with internship sites and negotiate any language changes with site representatives and VCU Counsel
- Work with students to help select appropriate practice sites
- Review and file the signed internship contract
- Review and approve the student’s proposed Plan of Action
- Attend the mid-term evaluation meeting with Student Intern and Site Supervisor, if requested
- Review the Internship Report, mid-semester report, final PA, and signed Work Log and assign student grades at the conclusion of the internship
- Ensure that student files contain all required documentation (Work Log, Plan of Action, Mid-semester Report, Internship Report, student evaluation) for the internship at the end of the semester
17. Planning timeline for student intern
Table 2 provides a list of tasks necessary for student interns and deadlines for completing them.
Table 2. Public Health Internship Student Tasks and Deadlines
Task |
Timeframe for completion |
Review Internship website and Guide to Public Health Internship |
First 2 weeks of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Confirm eligibility to register for the internship (minimum 18 credits, including EPID 571 completed) |
First 2 weeks of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Confirm feasibility of time commitment (minimum 180 hours in a semester) |
First 2 weeks of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Submit signed Internship Application (pdf) and current resume/CV (pdf or Word format) electronically to the Public Health Internship Director |
No later than 4th week of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Meet with Internship Director and select potential internship site |
No later than 8th week of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Send cover letter and resume/CV to potential internship site |
No later than 9th week of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Meet with potential Site Supervisor and decide if internship is a good “fit” for student and site |
No later than 11th week of semester prior to the one in which you intend to do an internship |
Obtain required signatures on internship contract, providing original version to Public Health Internship Director, copy to Site Supervisor |
Prior to beginning internship but no later than 2 weeks from start of internship |
Draft PA, revise and finalize and submit to Public Health Internship Director |
Prior to beginning internship but no later than 2 weeks from start of internship |
Complete documentation required by internship site (e.g., I-9 forms, security check forms, acknowledgment of policies) |
Prior to beginning internship or as directed by Site Supervisor |
Schedule your work hours, working with your site supervisor |
Prior to beginning internship |
Enter record of day’s events and time period worked in Work Log |
Daily for each day of internship worked |
Obtain Site Supervisor signature/initials on work log |
Weekly to biweekly |
Schedule brief meeting with Site Supervisor:
|
2 weeks after start of internship |
Submit informal progress report to Public Health Internship Director and faculty advisor |
Mid-term (approximately 7 weeks) through internship |
Help set up progress/evaluation meeting with Site Supervisor and Public Health Internship Director, if requested |
Mid-term (approximately 7 weeks) through internship |
Submit required documentation for grade:
|
By last day of classes in semester |
18. Summary of Required Documentation
Table 3 summarizes all required documentation for the Public Health Internship.
Documentation |
Signatures Required |
Due |
Internship application (pdf submitted electronically to Internship Director) |
Faculty Advisor |
4th week of semester prior to the one in which student intends to register for internship |
Internship contract |
Site Supervisor Faculty Advisor Internship Director |
Prior to the start of internship but no later than 2 weeks from internship start date |
Plan of Action |
None—verbal approval from Site Supervisor, Internship Director |
Initial version:
Prior to the start
of internship but no later than 2 weeks from internship start
date |
Daily Work Log |
Site Supervisor (signature or initials on weekly or biweekly basis) |
Last week of classes of semester |
Mid-semester Progress Report |
None |
Mid-way through internship, to Faculty Advisor and Internship Director |
Internship Report |
None |
Last week of classes of semester, to Faculty Advisor and Internship Director |
Evaluation of Internship Experience |
None; complete on line |
Last week of classes of semester |
Glossary of Terms
Affiliate Site Agreement: a formal agreement between the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health and the internship site outlining legal responsibilities of each party in the internship experience. The Department must establish an affiliate site agreement with an internship site before students may begin engaging in internships at the site. The Public Health Internship Director is responsible for coordinating these agreements.
Faculty Advisor: a full-time Department of Epidemiology & Community Health faculty member who is assigned as the student’s academic advisor
Internship Application: form that the student must complete to apply for an internship, available on Department of Epidemiology & Community Health website
Internship Contract: an informal agreement that the Student Intern, Site Supervisor, Site Representative, Faculty Advisor, and Internship Director sign. This agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Student Intern and the Site Supervisor during the internship.
Plan of Action (PA): a list of goals for the student’s internship, accompanied by specific tasks to be completed and a timeline for their completion.
Public Health Internship Director: the faculty or staff member who coordinates student placement at internship sites. The Internship Director is the primary liaison between the MPH Program and the internship sites for the Public Health Internship.
Site Representative: a qualified agency/organization official who represents the internship site and has signatory authority on behalf of the internship site. The Site Representative may be an administrative or management professional or a public health professional. The Site Supervisor may also play the role of Site Representative, depending on the nature of the organization serving as the internship site.
Site Supervisor: a qualified public health professional who works at the internship site and is experienced in one or more areas of public health and has the skills to supervise and evaluate graduate student work. The Site Supervisor evaluates the Student Intern’s performance during the internship and provides input to the Faculty Advisor, who assigns a grade to the student for the internship.
Student Intern: an MPH student who is working toward completing the requirements of EPID 693, the Public Health Internship.
Work Log: the document on which the Student Intern records her/his work hours, tasks completed, and notations about any problems encountered. The student should use this document as a reference in writing the report summarizing the internship.
