Generation Health.
Generation Health reduces financial barriers for students to work with organizations advancing public health in communities local to BUSPH and around the world.
This initiative reduces makes it possible for BUSPH students to be paid for work with community organizations that otherwise would not be able to take on paid practicum students. It is an investment in the future of public health, by supporting both our students and the organizations that are working each day to build a healthier world.
By subsidizing unpaid and underpaid practicum opportunities for our students, Generation Health creates a bridge between our students and community organizations, advancing equity in communities both locally and globally.
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SPH Commits $1M to Support Student Practica
Meeting degree requirements and fulfilling shared values
At SPH, the 240-hour practicum experience is a practice-based internship that provides all on-campus Master of Public Health students with the opportunity to gain experience applying what they learn in the classroom to real-world public health problems. While all students must complete a practicum to fulfill their degree requirements, many face restrictions and financial challenges when pursuing their practicums due to a lack of funding. Currently, less than half of SPH students receive funding for their practicum, consistent with the more than 40% of unpaid higher education internships across the country.
Generation Health intends to close this gap. Through dedicated funding, SPH is creating pathways for students and organizations who are committed to the mission of the School. BUSPH has committed $1 million over the next two years to support Generation Health.
“I am extremely grateful for this award, and receiving it has been such a relief since I strongly believe in the goal of my practicum project,” says Devanshi Choksi (MPH‘23), who will be working to integrate mental health services with routine primary care visits as a clinical operations research intern with the Integrated Behavioral Health pilot program at Boston Medical Center. “This funding from SPH will ensure that I am able to do work that I truly believe in and that I will not have to let go of that belief due to financial reasons.”
Learn more
If you are an employer interested in financially supporting the students and organizations participating in Generation Health, become a founding Champion.
If you are an individual, please consider supporting our students and the public health community members participating in Generation Health.
If you are a community organization interested in hiring a Generation Health student intern, please email sphcareeroffice@bu.edu to learn if your organization qualifies.
Hire a Generation Health intern
If you are a student, visit the Careers and Practicum Office to learn more about applying to join Generation Health.