UCB Practice Courses Offered by the Center for Public Health Practice

What Can You Do with a Degree in Public Health? (Public Health 291 - Fall Semester): This speaker series enlists public health practitioners from different organizations (health departments, community based non-profits, private sector) or topics (obesity, environmental justice, HIV/AIDS) to share their day-to-day activities, industry trends, challenges, typical salaries, desired skills, opportunities, and other information that help students learn more about possible M.P.H. career paths.

Preparation for Public Health Practice (Public Health 291 - Spring Semester): This series of skills-based workshops is designed to introduce the student to specialized skills and competencies needed in the public health workplace. These workshops are designed to complement the core curriculum of the School of Public Health and are selected based on regular feedback from faculty, public health practitioners, and students. Workshops are linked to ASPH and the Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals. Workshop facilitators include consultants, CPHP field supervisors, and public health practitioners with expertise in the subject. Workshop topics have included writing for publication, moderating focus groups, human resources management, legislative policy and advocacy, negotiation, evaluation, tools for financial planning, scientific grant writing, leadership, oral presentations, strategic planning, cultural competency, time management, and budgeting.

International Health Internship Preparation (Public Health 298 - Fall Semester) Students need extensive preparation to have an effective, rewarding international health internship experience. With guidance from Field Supervisors and other faculty within the School of Public Health, students are strongly encouraged to prepare in the Fall Semester for international internships that begin the following June. To that end, the objectives of the seminar are: to expose students to different international opportunities, to help guide and prepare students for international internships, and to highlight issues related to international public health practice. Topics covered include: funding, finding the right organization and/or preceptor, culture and gender in international settings, and keys to successful international internships that make a different. Guest speakers provide insights into working in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Foundation of Health Policy and Management (Public Health 298.32): An introductory course for incoming health policy and management students that integrates foundation knowledge of the healthcare management, policy fields and competencies with student career and internship preparation. Course sessions provide the latest information on important and emerging issues facing healthcare managers and policy professionals. Students also participate in self and professional assessments, informational interviewing, exposure and networking events, and a team project focused on addressing an actual problem facing a local healthcare organization.

Capstone Seminar in Health Policy and Management (Public Health 294): Taken in the final semester, this capstone course for Health Policy and Management students is design to facilitate student integration of academic coursework with learning and refection from their internship experience. Seminar topics are founded on building practical skills in preparation for post graduate careers and jobs. Students also complete a strategic plan or policy analysis for a healthcare organization to apply concepts from coursework. A final presentation and written report hone verbal and writing skills.

Integrative Seminar in Public Health Nutrition (Public Health 292): This seminar prepares Public Health Nutrition (PHN) students to obtain a professional-level internship and begin post-MPH career development. The sessions introduce students to the practice of public health and public health nutrition, including trends, career opportunities, key competencies and professional qualities. The seminar is meant to help first year students learn how to maximize the practice component of their MPH experience. For second year students, this seminar will provide a unique opportunity to plan and deliver formal presentations of their internships. This seminar aims to build on students’ personal and professional interests and experiences to further clarify and/or direct potential career pathways in public health nutrition

Integrating Theory and Practice (Public Health 297): The aim of this course is to provide opportunities for students to reflect and report on their graduate summer field placements, to demonstrate the work that graduate students are doing in public health while enrolled, to showcase and highlight the contributions of graduate students to public health, and to educate fellow graduate students and the school on projects that students completed during the summer.

Current Issues and Careers in Public Health Practice (UCB Extension) Designed for students and professionals who are currently working or are considering working in the public health field in the U.S., this course explores public health practice as a strategic response to pressing social, political, and health issues. You have an opportunity to review the range of career choices available in this field, interact with a panel of public health professionals, and identify the different avenues through which committed individuals can work toward promoting a more equitable, healthier society. Graduate-level training options in public health and the types of employment opportunities available are also reviewed. With a greater focus on improving the health of communities, and particular attention on reducing and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, public health approaches to addressing health and social issues receive increased attention in this course.