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A public health internship is a supervised training experience for graduate students, lasting 200-400 hours, to gain professional experience in the field. Locations vary and may include international settings, and students are encouraged to choose a project-based internship. The internship should provide regular opportunities to interact with professionals and apply academic skills. The required number of hours varies by program.
A public health internship is an on-site supervised training experience, typically totaling between 200 and 400 hours, that takes place in the context of a graduate public health program. The intent of a public health internship is to provide students with an opportunity to apply classroom skills in a community setting in order to gain professional experience in the field. A public health internship is typically intended to supplement and support academic courses within a graduate program. While some internship experiences may be unpaid, internship positions in some locations may involve a salary or stipend. In the United States, the public health internship is an integral part of any graduate program accredited by the Council on Public Health Education (CEPH).
The specifics of a public health internship can vary greatly depending on the location of the internship and the type of project assigned by the site supervisor. Some US programs support completing a public health internship in an international setting. Typical varieties of internship locations include local or regional health departments, insurance organizations, many types of hospitals, nonprofit organizations, or federal agencies such as the US Veterans Administration or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Many graduate programs view the internship as a way to explore or further professional interests in public health. Most public health programs recommend that students choose a project-based internship that meets a specific need identified by the internship website.
Generally, internship locations are expected to provide the student with regular opportunities to interact with public health professionals. Sites can also be encouraged to allow students to attend important meetings and participate in other important professional activities. An on-site supervisor acts as a point of contact and mentor for the student. CEPH recommends that students spend at least 12 hours a week at the internship location. Some of the academic skills that can be applied and assessed in the context of a public health internship could include management, program planning, data analysis or policy development.
The required number of internship hours varies according to the criteria of each graduate program. Often, a public health internship totals around 400 hours. In some programs, students are encouraged to participate in various internship experiences, either as a way to satisfy a total hour requirement or as an option to exceed the standard number of hours required.
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