Key Terms
Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement defines the expectations for students undertaking a field experience in public health. This document outlines the details of the practicum experience and should be completed jointly by students and preceptors.
Practicum
A practicum is a distinctly defined supervised experience in which students develop basic applied skills and integrate professional knowledge. For students in catalogs through Summer 2023, MPH students must complete PUBH 6638 and 6639 and a minimum of 200 hours of supervised experiences. For students in the catalog beginning Fall 2023, MPH students must complete PUBH 6637 and a minimum of 120 hours of supervised experiences. The practicum requirements must be successfully completed prior to graduation.
Practicum Site
A practicum site is a health agency, school, or other appropriate setting in which students obtain supervised, applied practice experiences consistent with their education and training. Practicum sites enter into an Affiliation Agreement with Walden, stating they will provide appropriate support and supervision for students during the practicum experience.
Precepting
Precepting encompasses a tutorial and mentoring form of instruction by which a practicum preceptor monitors student activity in the practicum and facilitates learning and skill development experiences. Preceptor’s guide and provide feedback on students’ practicum work.
Key Personnel
Walden’s faculty and staff members are committed to working collaboratively with students and preceptors to support the successful completion of practicum experiences.
Field Experience Coordinator
The MPH Office of Field Experience (OFE) includes a Field Experience Coordinator (FEC) whose role is to assist public health students in identifying qualified practicum sites and preceptors, facilitate the practicum application and approval process, and ensure students are registered for their practicum courses. The FEC serves as a conduit between faculty, students, and others throughout the process.
Walden’s FEC assists students with this process and, in the rare instances, when necessary, conducts outreach to potential sites and preceptors on students’ behalf.
The FEC is available to students via e-mail, phone, and personal phone appointment. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Field Experience to talk early in their program for guidance and personal assistance.
Associate Dean, Applied Practice and Continuing Education
The Associate Dean, Applied Practice and Continuing Education is a Walden administrator who oversees the field experience coordinator, practicum course instruction and development, and monitoring of the on-site student experience. Administrative duties include assessing preceptors and practicum sites for appropriateness, approving practicum applications and Learning Agreements, and overseeing appropriate placement of students. The Associate Dean, Applied Practice and Continuing Education also participates in university- and school-based residencies, continuing education, and committees.
Practicum Core Faculty
Program core faculty members teach the practicum courses. Practicum faculty members collaborate with students and inform the practicum director about any difficulties that arise during the practicum experience. Within a month after the initiation of the practicum, practicum faculty members coordinate a conference call with students and preceptors, which is intended to ensure that the practicum goals are being addressed, that both student and preceptor understand the key points of the practicum experience, that an opportunity for questions is provided, and that any problems are identified and resolved.
Preceptor
Preceptors are qualified individuals employed at the practicum placement settings who are responsible for guiding a practicum experience. Preceptors must hold an advanced degree (MPH preferred), have at least 2 years of related experience, and currently work in a field consistent with the student goals for the practicum experience. It is expected that preceptors will be accessible to students and provide guidance and feedback to promote growth of knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with Walden’s training goals as well as with preferred practices in the profession. Preceptors are to provide mentoring and guidance appropriate to student roles in practicum sites, including ongoing feedback about student progress in meeting practicum goals.
Academic Program Coordinators
Academic Program coordinators are Walden faculty members whose primary role is to manage and continuously improve a degree program. Program coordinators support students throughout the MPH program, including during the practicum.
Associate Dean, MPH & DrPH Programs
The Associate Dean, MPH & DrPH Programs is a Walden administrator whose primary role is to provide academic leadership to the DrPH and MPH programs. The program director oversees activities related to program and curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation. The program director resolves any student and faculty member issues that arise throughout the program.
Students
Students at Walden are considered to be adult learners who are capable of seeking educational opportunities to meet their personal and professional goals. Walden expects students to collaborate with faculty members and be self-directed to meet educational requirements. Students work with faculty members and preceptors to ensure they obtain a well-rounded educational experience.
Students With Disabilities
Walden University will not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing all qualified students with disabilities equal access to its programs, services, and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
In postsecondary education, it is the students’ responsibility to self-identify disability status and register with the Office of Disability Services prior to requesting accommodations. To register, students should submit documentation of disability along with Walden’s Accommodation Request form to disability@mail.waldenu.edu.
The process and form are available from the Office of Disability Services. Students with disabilities requesting accommodations to access field experiences, such as a practicum and/or internship, should register with the Office of Disability Services prior to registering for those field experiences and clarify their specific accommodation needs. In most cases, field experience sites have their own systems for ensuring equal access for employees/interns with disabilities. The Office of Disability Services will help address any gaps in those systems.
Working Together
Walden’s Associate Dean, MPH & DrPH Programs, Associate Dean, Applied Practice and Continuing Education, field experience coordinator, and practicum course core faculty members are committed to working collaboratively with students and preceptors to support the successful completion of practicum experiences.