BSPH Advanced Practicum 1
Student Handbook
BSPH
Advanced Practicum Field Experience
Last updated April 2015
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Criteria ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Checklist and timelines ....................................................................................................................... 4
Application .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................................................. 9
BSPH Advanced Practicum 2
Introduction
The goal of the BSPH Advanced Practicum program is to provide students with a yearlong
intensive applied public health experience. Through a mix of coursework and experiential
learning opportunities, students will apply public health principles to real-world settings.
The BSPH Advanced Practicum series hosts a range of field placement sites, placing
students in school-based settings, health clinics, and other community sites focused on
pressing public health issues.
The goals of the Advanced Practicum series are to:

Provide opportunities for in-depth and applied experiences related to pressing
public health topics

Provide close interaction with public health faculty throughout the yearlong
experience

Establish individualized learning objectives that support student personal and
professional development

Support student growth in their oral and written communication skills

Support collaborative partnerships with community organizations addressing
diverse public health topics

Provide deliverable products and programs that address public health issues
addressed by the practicum sites
This program provides a unique opportunity for top public health majors to prepare for
jobs and graduate programs in public health after graduation.
BSPH Advanced Practicum 3
Criteria
Advanced Practicum Program
Academic Year 2015-16
Eligibility



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Successful completion of FPMU 40 and 50, required
Successful completion of FPMU 101A and 110, preferred
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Complete application submitted by April 15 at 5:00 pm
Complete liability waiver and all necessary paperwork or testing as identified by the
assigned practicum site
Commitment to the full 10-unit course series, which includes:
o 4 units FPMU180A (Fall Quarter)
o 4 units FPMU180B (Winter Quarter) at a pre-approved practicum site
o 2 units FPMU180C (Spring Quarter)
FPM180A: Preparation
and integration with
core BSPH coursework
(4 units)
Fall 2015
FPM180B: Fieldwork
(4 units)
Winter 2016
FPM180C: Written and
oral communication and
Synthesizing fieldwork
experience (2 units)
Spring 2016
BSPH Advanced Practicum 4
Checklist and timelines
2015-16 Academic Year
April 15: Student applications and resumes submitted by 5 pm (see page 5)
April 20 to 24: Interviews completed
April 27 to 30: Site interviews, if applicable
May 1: Students notified of placements
Summer 2015: Complete paperwork required by the assigned practicum site
Fall 2015: Attend orientation for site as scheduled by site director and the practicum site
Academic Year 2015-16: Complete the 3-course series
BSPH Advanced Practicum 5
Application
2015-16 Advanced Practicum
This is the required application for all students interested in applying for the BSPH
Advanced Practicum Course Sequence. To be eligible to apply, BSPH students must
1. have successfully completed FPMU 40 and 50
2. have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. commit to the full 10-unit course series, which includes: 4 units FPMU180A (Fall
Quarter), 4 units FPMU180B (Winter Quarter) at a pre-approved practicum site, and
2 units FPMU180C (Spring Quarter)
4. Complete an in-person interview the week of April 20
This application, along with emailing your resume or curriculum vitae to redgar@ucsd.edu,
must be submitted by April 15 at 5:00 pm to be considered.
First name:
Last name:
Email:
Phone number:
Have you submitted a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae to redgar@ucsd.edu?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Are you a public health major?
Have you successfully completed FPMU 40 and 50?
Yes
No
Have you successfully completed FPMU 101A and 110?
Yes
No
What is your current cumulative GPA:
Do you have your own transportation to get to practicum sites?
Yes
No
BSPH Advanced Practicum 6
Essay Questions
In 1500 characters or less per question, please answer the following questions that address
why you are interested in participating in the Advanced Practicum program, the skills and
strengths you bring to the program, and how this will promote your personal and
professional development.
1. What interested you in applying to the practicum program?
2. What skills and strengths do you bring to the practicum program?
3. How will participating in the practicum program further your personal and
professional development?
Site Preferences
We are asking for your top 3 choices for practicum sites. Please indicate in order of
preference your first, second, and third choice for practicum placements.
Please rank your top choice for practicum sites.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Alzheimer's Association
San Diego County Health Department
Family Medicine/Border Area Health Education
Flourish: Healthy Me, Healthy Community
HFIT Clinic
Leichtag Ranch
Linda Vista Health Fair
Preuss School
Student Health Services
Please rank your second choice for practicum sites.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Alzheimer's Association
San Diego County Health Department
Family Medicine/Border Area Health Education
Flourish: Healthy Me, Healthy Community
HFIT Clinic
Leichtag Ranch
Linda Vista Health Fair
Preuss School
Student Health Services
BSPH Advanced Practicum 7
Please rank your third choice for practicum sites.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Alzheimer's Association
San Diego County Health Department
Family Medicine/Border Area Health Education
Flourish: Healthy Me, Healthy Community
HFIT Clinic
Leichtag Ranch
Linda Vista Health Fair
Preuss School
Student Health Services
Would you be willing to be placed at a practicum sites other than the three sites you
listed above?
Yes
No
Interviews for Practicum Sites
All applicants must complete an in-person interview the week of April 20 to 24. Please note
that some sites will require a second interview the week of April 27. We are requesting
your availability to assist in scheduling those interviews. Please check all of the time slots
during which you are available to assist us in accommodating everyone's schedules.
Please indicate all of the blocks of time you are available for an in-person interview.
______
______
______
______
am
______
am
______
am
______
pm
______
______
______
April 20: 1:30 to 2:30 pm
April 20: 2:30 to 3:30 pm
April 20: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
April 21: 8:00 am to 9:00
April 21: 9:00 am to 10:00
April 21: 10:00 am to 11:00
April 21: 11:00 am to 12:00
April 22: 12:00 to 1:00 pm
April 22: 1:00 to 2:00 pm
April 22: 2:00 to 3:00 pm
______
______
______
______
______
pm
______
______
pm
______
______
______
______
April 22: 3:00 to 4:00 pm
April 23: 8:00 to 9:00 am
April 23: 9:00 to 10:00 am
April 23: 10:00 to 11:00 am
April 23: 11:00 am to 12:00
April 24: 10:30 to 11:30 am
April 24: 11:30 am to 12:30
April 24: 12:30 to 1:30 pm
April 24: 1:30 to 2:30 pm
April 24: 2:30 to 3:30 pm
April 24: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Are you available the week of April 27 to complete a site-specific interview, as
needed?
BSPH Advanced Practicum 8
Yes
No
BSPH Advanced Practicum 9
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I participate in a practicum site without taking the additional courses?
No, the Advanced Practicum sites are specific to the 10-unit course commitment.
Additional internship and research opportunities available to students not enrolled
in the Advanced Practicum program are available on the BSPH website.
2. Can I change my practicum site?
No. Students will apply for and be placed to a specific practicum site. Students must
rank their site preferences at the time of applying for the advanced practicum series
and that ranking will be considered, along with site preferences, when matching
students to their practicum site.
3. How will this help me for graduate school or a job?
The goal of the program is to provide students with real-world experience and to
support students’ overall personal and professional development. The advanced
practicum program provides an excellent opportunity for students to build their
resume and to work closely with faculty and mentors. If students perform well at
their site, the program serves as an opportunity to develop strong relationships
with mentors who can support subsequent graduate and job opportunities.
4. Will this count toward my degree requirements?
a. 180A and 180C can count toward upper division electives
b. 180B will count toward the 8 unit maximum for classes taken pass/fail,
which includes FPMU199 and FPMU180B
5. Is it required?
No, the Advanced Practicum program is not currently required of all public health
majors.
BSPH Advanced Practicum 10
6. What are the minimum requirements?
In order to participate all BSPH students must have



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Successful completion of FPMU 40 and 50, required
Successful completion of FPMU 101A and 110, preferred
A cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher
Commit to the full 10-unit course series over the academic year
Submit the Advanced Practicum application and a resume/curriculum vitae
by the deadline
7. Can I take it Pass/No Pass?
Only 180B can be taken pass/no pass.
8. Is there any cost associated with the practicum?
There may be some costs associated with transportation to/from the practicum
sites, depending on where a student is placed. Some sites also have requirements for
health screenings (e.g. TB tests, specific vaccinations completed) and students
should review each site to identify potential costs associated with obtaining
documentation for those health requirements. Students are able to obtain most of
these services at little to no cost through Student Health Services. Additionally, one
site is located internationally and students at the HFIT clinic must have a valid
passport for the duration of their practicum placement. Please review the Site
Details Table to determine potential costs associated with each practicum site.
9. I don’t have a car. Can I still participate?
Practicum sites are all in different locations, so you should identify your
transportation options when travel to a field site is required. Many sites are located
near public transportation options or along UCSD van service routes. Students may
also explore carpool options with other students placed to the same practicum site.
10. How many hours am I expected to be onsite during the FPMU 180B field
placement experience?
BSPH Advanced Practicum 11
All placements require a minimum of 120 hours of field placement experience. Each
site has different requirements and you should read each site description carefully
to identify site requirements for on- and offsite activities. Additional information
about site activities will be provided at the site orientation provided at the start of
the academic year.
11. How do I enroll in the classes?
Enrollment in the course series is based on successful application and placement at
one of the practicum sites. If selected, students will be provided the necessary
information required for registering for the course series.