Real-World Impact: Regis College’s Public Health Practicums

The Role of Practicums in Public Health Education

Public health, like many fields, values professionals with practical experience and expertise. However, gaining this experience can be challenging for aspiring public health professionals. A master's degree that provides real-world experience opportunities can prepare professionals to confidently enter the workforce.

In public health, most master’s programs require practicums, or "applied learning experiences." These are structured, real-world experiences for students to apply academic knowledge in a professional setting under faculty supervision.

These hands-on learning opportunities can focus on various areas of public health, including:

• Health education
• Public health policy
• Epidemiology

“In public health, you have to put your skills into practice,” says Dr. Jocelyn Mullins, Assistant Professor in Regis College’s Master of Public Health degree program. “Students need to experience how organizations really operate within the context of their communities.”

Regis College’s Public Health Practicum Program

Since public health practicums are required in master’s degree programs, it’s important to choose a program that has a comprehensive process.

At Regis, students complete their practicum project by working with a public health organization or agency of their choosing. The typical time commitment of this field experience is a minimum of 120 hours throughout the 16-week semester, which averages to about eight hours per week.

Regis College Practicum Health Projects

According to Mullins, students are encouraged to identify what types of public health projects they want to focus on during their practicum. These projects should focus on bridging the knowledge and skills developed during coursework with real-world practice.

“Most of the time, students attend some activities with the organization during their practicum to get a feel for how it operates,” Mullins says. “I also always encourage students to do informal interviews with staff at the organizations so they can get an idea of the different responsibilities in public health.”

Some examples of responsibilities students might be interested in during their practicum include:

• Data analysis
• Community outreach programs
• Health education

Students' interests within public health can directly influence their practicum projects. For instance, those interested in data analysis might choose projects in epidemiology, while those aiming to implement community health programs may focus on public health education.

Regis College Public Health Practicum Locations

While a student's project is crucial to their practicum experience, their placement is another key aspect that Regis can help navigate.

Given the variety of options available to students, finding the right fit can be challenging. Regis assists throughout this process with faculty guidance and support to ensure students make informed decisions about their placements.

“I usually start talking to students two semesters ahead of their practicum so we have a lot of time,” Mullins says. “I have students complete a form on their experience so far, courses they like best, what their long term goals are, etc. to identify the best fit placement.”

At Regis, the faculty wants to ensure your practicum placement aligns with your long-term goals.

“Are you looking to further your career in your current position, or do you want to take your career in a new direction?” Mullins continues. “That helps us think through who might be a good mentor and where the right placement might be.”

Some of the most common practicum placements at Regis include:

• State/county public health agencies
• Healthcare organizations
• Nonprofit organizations

This doesn’t just include local placements. According to Mullins, some students work with local organizations and mentors, while others partner with public health professionals remotely across the country.

No matter where students are placed though, Regis guides students as best they can to make their practicum a worthwhile learning and networking experience.

Real-World Impact: Success Stories from Classroom to Community

While practicum and internship experience are valuable to your professional development, they can also make a huge impact in the communities you serve.

“These projects need to build students’ skills,” Mullins continues. ”But we really emphasize that the work they do should contribute to the organization they're working with.”

This often involves producing tangible products for these organizations, like presentations, websites, and policy recommendations. One Regis student’s practicum focused on assessing the delivery of health care services for people experiencing homelessness. According to Mullins, these findings were not just surprising, they also prompted several recommendations for how health care services should be delivered to this underserved population.

The impact of practicum work extends beyond the communities or organizations involved; Regis students also experience the significance of their contributions firsthand.

“The MPH program at Regis College was incredible and I would recommend it to any health care undergraduates looking to further their career by influencing the community around them,” says Caitlin Clifford, Regis MPH graduate ‘23. “I truly enjoyed my practicum experience at Lawrence General Hospital. I felt like I was really able to make an impact on the community by addressing the social determinants of health and it was a very rewarding experience.”

Make a Difference at Regis College

While learning in a classroom setting can help students understand the complexities of public health, real-world experience is essential to their readiness to enter the field post-graduation.

Regis College understands this, offering working professionals accessible online coursework paired with a 270-hour practicum placement. This allows students to apply their online learning in practical settings and enhance their skills in real-world contexts.

To learn more about the program, contact an admissions counselor to find out how an education at Regis can serve your professional goals.