Practicum Requirements.
Before you begin searching for your practicum, it’s important to understand some basic guidelines, principles and policies that will be lay the foundation for your search. These requirements are important to know and keep in mind as you move through the process.
Eligibility
You are eligible to register and begin PH976 as soon as you pass your four required core courses. If you do not pass one of the core courses and have to take it again, you will not be practicum eligible until that core course is passed.
You may still start searching for your practicum before your core courses are completed. You may also register a practicum prior to completing the core, but your start date must fall after the current semester (registration will be contingent on passing the core).
Hour Requirement
MPH students are required to complete a minimum of 240 hours with an organization for their practicum. These hours may be completed in a single semester, or may be spread out over multiple semesters. Hours should be completed with ONE organization, but in certain circumstances an exception may be made. You should contact sphpract@bu.edu to discuss if this could be an option for you.
Important: Hours completed prior to receiving an approved practicum approval do not count toward your 240 hours.
Reducing Hour Requirement with Field-Based Courses
Field-based courses are a special type of course that involve a student, or group of students, working with an organization to complete a particular project. Students act as consultants for their partner organization and gain valuable real-world experience throughout the course.
Because of this unique course format, students who successfully complete one of the approved field-based courses below may request a 30 hour deduction from their total hour requirement. Students may only use this deduction once (ex. if you take PM832 AND PM827, you may still only deduct 30, not 60 hours).
List of Currently Approved Field-Based Courses
Academic Requirements
The practicum portal is where the academic-side of the practicum takes place. Once you secure a practicum, you will need to gain access to the portal where you will submit a practicum proposal. The proposal will go through a 2-step review process (site preceptor and BU SPH staff) before receiving approval. This review must occur before you begin your practicum, so we suggest submitting 2-3 weeks before the start date if possible. Once your proposal has been fully reviewed you will be registered for PH976.
There are no outside assignments for practicum. Instead, students will submit a minimum of two work products (deliverables) completed during their practicum placement. These work products will be used to demonstrate attainment in five public health competencies that you will select during your practicum proposal.
Dual Degree Students
Different programs may have different requirements, options, or course numbers. Please see the table below for any details unique to your program. Note: all programs must process their internship through the practicum portal.
Requirements for 4+1 Students
Requirements for MBA/MPH Students
Requirements for MSW/MPH Students
Requirements for MS/MPH Students
Additional Information for MBA/JD/MD/MPH Students
Additional Information for MSW/MPH Students
International Students
Important: While we can clarify on the below, it is critical that any further questions or concerns regarding these topics be directed to the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) as these are tied to federal immigration laws that change constantly.
Practicum Eligibility
Generally, students must complete their core courses before becoming eligible for Practicum. While this is true for international students there are other considerations as well.
- International students must be in F1 visa status for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT (curricular practical training). This means that if you are wanting to do a practicum in the U.S. and you started in the fall provided you are in F1 status for Fall & Spring you would be eligible for CPT starting in summer (you can still search for summer practicum during the spring).
- CPT is required even for on-campus practicum, so plan accordingly.
- You can still do a Practicum outside of the U.S. in your second semester if desired as long as you have completed your core courses.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a work authorization that allows you to work in the U.S. to fulfill the requirements of your academic program. For MPH students that is ONE Practicum. It must coincide with your PH976 registration and must be renewed each semester if your practicum will be longer than one semester – failure to renew your CPT each semester can result in termination of your student visa. You will submit your CPT request in the ISSO portal and will list Ryan Wisniewski, Assistant Director, Practicum Program as the approver. CPT approval will take up to 10 business days after your proposal is fully approved and PH976 has been added to your transcript.
Important: You cannot start your practicum in any way, shape, or form before your CPT is approved. This includes orientations, trainings, meetings, etc. Doing so could cause significant impacts to your visa status including having to leave the country. If your supervisor requires you to start sooner please contact us ASAP so we can discuss. CPT approval can take up to 10 business days to process.
PH976 Blackboard Site
Upon entering the program you should be registered for the PH976 Blackboard site, which serves as a resource for you throughout the practicum process. Please be sure you are indeed registered by looking under “ongoing courses” in Blackboard. If you do not see PH976 under ongoing courses please email sphpract@bu.edu so we can enroll you.
The Blackboard site for practicum will expand on all timelines, policies, and procedures for practicum as well as provide useful tips, tricks, tools, and resources for you to ensure you have the most fulfilling and successful practicum experience. Blackboard will always have the most up-to-date information on the practicum, so please try to refer to Blackboard as your first resource as it can answer a lot of common questions.