Khan Annex windows at night

Community Health:

Master of Public Health

Assess community needs. Develop innovative solutions. Implement impactful programs and policies. Focus on prevention. Build stronger, healthier communities.

Applied Practice Experience (APE)

MPH students participate in the APE experience after completion of the six core courses. The APE involves at least 200 hours of working in a public health setting and offers intensive “on the job” experience. Students gain important job skills and learn more about career options in public health.

Two-year MPH students usually complete the APE during the summer between the first and second years of coursework or in the Fall of their second year. Five-year BS-MPH students will complete the APE during the summer after their fifth year. Our MPH program helps students match their academic and career interests with the right APE experience.

Examples of APE placements that our students have recently completed include:

  • Identifying the current process and barriers at a hospital’s emergency room in order to design a standardized protocol for discontinuation of antibiotics after urine cultures return negative
  • Developing a communication tool to establish proactive initiatives at a hospital to ensure care transition from pediatricians to adult health care providers at the recommended age
  • Educating a community on trauma informed practices and bringing awareness about a resiliency program
  • Examining community physical access to a healthy food retailer in areas of highest percentage of obesity
student standing in front of large informational poster
student standing in front of large informational poster
student standing in front of large informational poster
student standing in front of large informational poster
student standing in front of large informational poster
student standing in front of large informational poster

Contact Information

  • MPH Program
  • Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
  • 1206 S. Fourth Street
  • Champaign, IL 61820
  • Phone: 217-300-0330
  • Email: mph-admissions@ahs.illinois.edu

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