MPH in Environmental Health and Epidemiology

All Rollins MPH and MSPH students are required to complete a minimum of 200 hours applied practice experience (APE). The APE is a unique opportunity for graduate students to integrate and apply practical skills and training learned through coursework in a professional public health work environment. In most cases, students can use a part-time work position, graduate assistantship, or internship to meet the APE requirement. The APE is a significant educational experience that requires a minimum of 200 clock hours in a public health agency, institution, or community under the supervision of a field supervisor and the guidance of the student's department and/or the Office of Career Development.

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In addition to the Applied Practice Experience, students are required to complete a integrative learning experience project that demonstrates knowledge and skills gained in the MPH program. An integrative learning experience calls for students to integrate and apply the competencies they developed during the course of their study, practicum, and/or related field experiences. Students can choose between completing a capstone OR thesis project. Students interested in conducting original research, analyzing data, interpreting study results and who are drawn to research-based careers often choose to complete a thesis. Students seeking more hands-on, practical environmental health skills, such as program evaluation, needs assessment, proposal writing or outreach work with community partners should consider a capstone.

Based on the type of integrative learning experience chosen, students enroll in either EH 594, Capstone Seminar: Skills for Environmental Health Professionals or EH 599R Thesis. All students are required to formally present their projects prior to graduation. For examples of past theses and capstone organized by general topic, please visit our Interest Area pages.

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