CGH 306:
Supervised Field Training in Public
Health
Orientation
and
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is a field training experience?
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An integrative, practical experience in the CGU
MPH program
Worth 4 units of coursework
Timeframe of placement is 1 semester to as much
as a 1 year term
Taken after completion of all MPH core and
concentration courses
What is the purpose of field training
requirement?
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Provides a professional experience where knowledge from
coursework is applied in a real-world setting
Applies existing skills and the opportunity to new ones
Students gain experience within the field of public health
and specialization
Fosters professional networking
Addresses and reflects on MPH student competencies
Provides a guided, supportive transition from student to
professional life.
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What is a preceptor?
§ Another name for your site supervisor
n Appropriate mentorship preceptors must have
public health credentials or appropriate health
related and experience
n Preceptor cannot be your faculty advisor/mentor
What kinds of agencies have students
found field experiences?
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Health departments
Healthcare organizations
Non-profit organizations
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Worksite programs
International contacts
Government agencies
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Schools/Colleges/Universities
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What specific sites have students
found field experiences in the past?
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Azusa Neighborhood Wellness Center
City of Hope
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Cities of Chino, Claremont, Rancho Cucamonga
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Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Foothill AIDS Project
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Planned Parenthood Orange County & San Bernardino
Veterans Benefits Administration-Honolulu Regional Office
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Riverside, San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc.
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School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape
UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research
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Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
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Are field experiences paid?
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Not expected/required
May be negotiated between student and preceptor
University usually is not involved in negotiating
salary/wage arrangements
What is a waiver and who is eligible to
apply?
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Certain students may be eligible for a partial waiver of the
hour requirement. Requests for a waiver of 200 of the 400
hour requirement are considered and approved on an
individual basis.
Students with previous public health employment may be
eligible for a partial waiver of hours. Applications will
only be considered if a student can verify three years of
continuous, paid, public health employment prior to
enrollment in the MPH program
How do I apply for a waiver?
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Recommended time frame is no later than semester prior to
start of internship
Students shall submit a signed waiver form along with a 23 page (single-spaced) narrative describing relevant public
health work experience.
A review committee assesses the relevance of the previous
work experience. Students will be contacted by the MPH
Program Manager within 2-3 weeks with a decision.
Decisions of the panel are final. A letter confirming a
waiver of hours will be sent to the student.
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What are the prerequisites for
conducting field training?
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1. Complete MPH core and concentration coursework (or
be in the final semester of coursework)
2. Complete the Student Interview Form and schedule a
meeting with the Field Training Coordinator to discuss:
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Interests and possible sites for field training experience
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Agency Affiliation paperwork
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Placement search strategy
When should I contact the Field Training
Coordinator to discuss opportunities?
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Make an appointment with the field training
coordinator one semester prior to the start of
your field training experience.
The site must be approved and the
affiliation paperwork should be completed
prior to starting your hours.
What factors should I consider when
selecting a field training experience?
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What do I want to learn during this experience?
What skills do I have and how can I contribute to the agency?
Is the agency located in a community with which I am already somewhat
familiar?
Is the agency located where I might be able to stay with friends or family to
reduce costs?
Is the environment of the site and travel to and from the site safe?
Does the experience represent the type of setting in which I would eventually
like to be employed?
Is the agency located in a community large enough to likely contain significant
employment options into which I might network?
Is the agency located in a area of the country where I would like to live?
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What are some strategies & resources
to identify field experiences?
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Check announcements regarding internship opportunities
circulated through SCGH administration
Check the list of CGU-MPH affiliated sites
Consult the Field Training Coordinator or Faculty
Supervisor
Contact agencies directly regarding openings
Go on informational interviews
Speak to students and alumni about their experiences
Connect with guest speakers in your classes, panelists from
symposiums
Explore online resources (APHA, ASPPH)
Do I pay tuition for field training
units?
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Yes, field training units count as part of the credit
hours necessary for graduation.
Students must be enrolled and pay all tuition fees
(i.e. cost of transportation to the field training site,
materials) required for these units
Students enroll in 4 units of CGH 306 during one
of their last semesters at CGU.
What are the steps involved in completing
the field training requirement?
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1. Complete the student interest form in preparation for a
meeting with the Field Training Coordinator to discuss possible
sites and strategies
2. Contact and interview with potential sites
3. Acquire approval of the placement from the Field Training
Coordinator
4. Meet with the Field Training Faculty Supervisor to go over
the requirements for CGH 306 and determine the semester of
registration
5. Begin field training hours
6. Register for CGH 306 and begin completing course
requirements
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What are the requirements for the
supervised field training course: CGH 306?
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1. Complete a learning contract
2. Keep track of your hours with a timecard
3. Submit reflective journals
4. Submit mid-point responses and schedule an
optional meeting with Field Training Faculty
Supervisor to discuss
5. Develop and present a poster summarizing your
experience
6. Complete a student evaluation
What are the deadlines?
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Must submit the Learning Contract before attainment of
100 or 50 hours of work depending upon your particular
requirement
Register for CGH 306 in the semester you anticipate
completing the requirement
Submit Application for Poster Presentation Form to the
Field Training Coordinator at least 1 week prior to the
event
To receive a final grade, you must submit all deliverables
before the end of the term, as outlined in the CGH 306
course syllabus
How is the grade for CGH 306 determined?
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Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
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Satisfactory performance:
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Completion of hour requirement (400 or 200)
Accomplishment of project objectives & student competencies
Insights about experience & relevance of previous coursework reflected
in journals, mid-point review responses and student evaluation
Preceptor’s recommended evaluation of student’s progress
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Deliver an acceptable poster presentation
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Unsatisfactory performance
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Insufficient documentation of items above
Field Training Faculty Supervisor will provide further guidance if
performance is unsatisfactory
Deliver an unacceptable poster presentation
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What do I do if I am involved with data
that might be used for my field training
experience?
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Develop proposal under supervision of
faculty advisor and preceptors
Gain approval of proposal
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Submit to IRB for approval, as necessary
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Additional Information
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For more information, please refer to the MPH
Supervised Field Training Manual and forms
available at:
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http://www.cgu.edu/pages/6152.asp
Contact MPH Program Administration
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Field Training Coordinator:
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Field Training Faculty Supervisor:
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Bree Hemingway
Dr. Darleen Peterson
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