MPH students convert academic theory to public health practice by completing a 240-hour Applied Practice Experience (APEx) in a community health setting. APEx provides a bridge for students to join a growing talented and competent public health workforce.
Organizations indicate MPH students increase capacity, add fresh perspective, and make a positive impact. Preceptors from each organization are matched with qualified, work-ready graduate students who accomplish measurable, achievable objectives that satisfy both curriculum requirements and organizational needs.
If your organization has interest in hosting an MPH intern, contact Applied Practice Experience Coordinator Peyton Prothero.
Featured Applied Practice Experiences
Featured Applied Practice Experience
Ebone Colclough
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Nashville, TN |
| Agency Name: | The Store |
| Agency Type: | Non-Profit |
| Semester: | Summer and Fall 2023 |
Major Projects:
- Developed and presented a resource guide for staff and volunteers to assist clientele in applying for SNAP benefits.
- Organized and hosted focus groups to gain clientele perceptions of the program, its impact, customer service, and barriers of participation.
- Created a literature review for staff to reference when applying for extramural funding for aging adults.
Personal Quote
“One thing I will always remember from this experience was how people voiced their satisfaction of being respected, seen, valued and loved during their time in the program.”
Liam Nolan
| Concentration: | Health Policy and Management |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | UT Student Health Center |
| Agency Type: | Medical Center |
| Semester: | Summer 2023 |
Major Projects:
Conducted a built environment assessment using the Center forDisease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Built Environment Assessment Tool.- Wrote a policy brief based on the built environment assessment integrating sustainability, DEI, parking and transportation, and recreation perspectives to advance the health promoting university initiative.
- Established benchmarks for the Division of Student Life by analyzing ongoing health and wellness initiatives at other North American universities to advance the health promoting university initiative at UT.
Personal Quote
“My time at the Student Health Center has allowed me to apply the knowledge I gained in my MPH courses. I was able to assess population needs and design a population-based intervention to advance the health promoting university initiative.”
Emma Dunavin
| Concentration: | Health Policy and Management |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee |
| Agency Type: | Non-profit |
| Semester: | Spring 2023 |
Major Projects:
- Developed a 90-minute youth-oriented learning session on reproductive anatomy and contraception.
- Collaborated with interns from other A Step Ahead Foundation branches in Tennessee to create a lobbying and advocacy toolkit.
- Developed a 15-minute community partner-oriented learning session on the topic of reproductive health justice.
Personal Quote
“The experience I gained during my time at A Step Ahead was incredibly valuable. I was able to explore policy and advocacy, while also getting hands-on community health education experience.”
Ruth Ren
| Concentration: | Epidemiology |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | UT Extension |
| Agency Type: | Educational Organization |
| Semester: | Fall 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted qualitative data cleanin
g, organizing, and coding for in-depth interviews from key informants in refugee communities. - Analyzed qualitative data to understand the insights and perceptions of key stakeholders about the barriers, needs, and facilitators related to healthy eating behaviors among refugees and best practices to reach them.
- Synthesized the findings of the data analysis and drafted recommendations for future interventions.
Personal Quote
“It was a great experience learning how qualitative research is conducted in a real-world environment to assess community needs and promote health using education interventions.”
Monica Lee
| Concentration: | Veterinary Public Health |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) Parasitology Lab |
| Agency Type: | Public Institution |
| Semester: | Summer 2022 |
Major projects:
- Collected various tissue samples from black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Bear Rescue.
- Performed necropsies on euthanized “food-conditioned” bears from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
- Reviewed and analyzed literature to write a prospectus.
- Wrote a grant proposal to TWRA for more funding to go towards research.
Personal Quote
“My most valuable experience was getting to assist with the medical intake, which included physical examinations and tissue sample collection. My dream is to work with wildlife and exotic animals, so getting hands-on experience with something I am so passionate about is such a blessing!”
Will Andershock
| Concentration: | Epidemiology |
| Location: | Oak Ridge, TN |
| Agency Name: | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) |
| Agency Type: | Federally Funded Research and Development Center |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted quality analysis of association of vaccine status and SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the Delta and Omicron variant waves.
- Co-authored internal newsletter article detailing on-site COVID-19 testing changes as part of the pandemic response de-escalation.
- Assisted with on-going health metrics and statistics to inform decisions regarding on-site operations.
- Presented report to laboratory leadership and stakeholders.
Personal Quote
“My experience at ORNL was a success because of the fantastic people who work there. My preceptor and mentor gave me the autonomy to create a product that would benefit my professional development, while providing support to help me with my endeavors.”
Brittany Rosette-Jones
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | Knox County Health Department (KCHD) |
| Agency Type: | Health Department |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects
- Organized and hosted Amplifying the Voices of Black Mamas and Babies: Taste and Paint Event. This was an event hosted to cultivate community and creative expression to amplify the voices of Black mothers and babies.
- Developed a resource guide for the Community Health Department highlighting historical context of slavery and reproductive rights, benefits of birth work and workers, and attributes that influence positive birthing and postpartum experiences for black women.
- Create concise and updated guidance on Breastfeeding and COVID-19 content for the Knox County Breastfeeding Resource Guide (6th Edition).
Personal Quote
“My internship experience with KCHD was nothing short of amazing. I have gained so much experience and confidence in my ability to plan and execute community initiatives. Additionally, I was able to connect and learn from individuals that are facilitating positive changes in the Knoxville community.”
Betsy Beidlingmaier
| Concentration: | Veterinary Public Health |
| Location: | Guatemala City, Guatemala; Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | Vine International |
| Agency Type: | Non-profit |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted onsite visits and performed a needs assessment and visit report.
- Collaborated to write organizational mission and vision statements.
- Crafted SMART objectives to quantify project outcomes.
- Developed and produced Rabies profile handout for medical conference.
- Drafted and produced an evaluation questionnaire for conference attendees.
- Cast long-term vision for establishing VINE’s new provider outreach program.
Personal Quote
“I am experienced with individual-level medicine due to prior veterinary training, but the APEx provided hands-on work on population-level medicine, global development, and One Health issues using the tools learned in the MPH program.”
Sara Coley
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Department of Public Health and Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development |
| Agency Type: | Higher Education |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Developed the game “Reality Check” for an interactive educational activity at Healthcare in Appalachia conference at the DreamMore Resort.
- Developed and presented a presentation about Social Determinants of Health, social needs, and intersectionality for the Healthcare in Appalachia conference.
- Conducted a debriefing session and post-survey evaluation about the interactive learning activity and presentation.
Personal Quote
“This makes me realize that public health can contribute while also being outside of the box.”