Public Health Practice is the real-world application of the knowledge and skills necessary to perform essential public health services opens a new website to improve the population’s health.
The goal of the Office of Public Health Practice (OPHP) is to promote and enhance engagement between the practice community and the School of Public Health’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
The Office of Public Health Practice enriches the student experience and strengthens public health practice through practice-based learning, workforce development, community partnerships, research, and service. By connecting students, faculty, practitioners, and community organizations, the office serves as a bridge between academic public health and real-world practice.
Practice-based Learning & Student Success
The Office of Public Health Practice prepares students for successful careers in public health by connecting them with meaningful applied learning experiences that complement classroom instruction. Through internships opens a new website, practicums opens a new website, service-learning, education abroad opportunities, field experiences, professional networking, career development programming, and student engagement initiatives, students gain practical skills, develop professional relationships, and explore diverse public health career pathways. The office also supports public health pipeline programs that introduce high school and undergraduate students to public health education and careers.
Practice Partnerships & Community Engagement
The office fosters sustainable partnerships with health departments, community organizations, healthcare agencies, professional associations, and public health practitioners. These collaborations create opportunities for experiential learning, community engagement, workforce development, and shared problem-solving. By strengthening academic-practice relationships, the office helps support community health improvement efforts while increasing opportunities for students and faculty to engage with public health practice.
Workforce Development & Practice-Based Services
The office supports the public health workforce through training, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives. Working alongside public health agencies and community partners, the office contributes to workforce development efforts through professional training, strategic planning, program evaluation, needs assessments, consultation services, and other practice-based support activities. These efforts help organizations address current and emerging public health challenges while promoting evidence-informed decision-making.
Practice-Based Research, Scholarship & Innovation
The Office of Public Health Practice advances public health through applied research, grants, contracts, and innovative partnerships that address real-world public health needs. By facilitating collaborations among faculty, students, practitioners, and community organizations, the office supports evaluation studies, community-engaged research, practice-based scholarship, and the translation of evidence into practice. These activities generate actionable knowledge, strengthen public health practice, and create meaningful opportunities for student involvement in research and workforce development