Public Health Practice
The Office of Public Health Practice serves as a vital bridge between academic learning and real-world application. By supporting both students and community partners, the office ensures that the next generation of public health practitioners can translate their knowledge and skills into impactful work.
Learning Beyond The Classroom - Transforming Education Into Action
Public Health Aggies don’t just learn about public health, they live it! Experiential learning at the School of Public Health gives undergraduate and graduate students the chance to sharpen critical skills while gaining the perspective and confidence needed to address today’s most pressing public health challenges. The Office of Public Health Practice helps make these opportunities possible by connecting students with partner organizations and providing guidance throughout the process to ensure each experience is immersive, collaborative, and valuable for learners and partners alike.
Learn more about Applied Practice Experiences
Locally, Nationally, and Globally
For over 20 years, Texas A&M SPH students have practiced classroom skills and knowledge in organizations locally, throughout the U.S., and across the globe through applied practice experiences, also known as practicum or internships. Practice sites include health care facilities, governmental public health agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy organizations, school districts, and more.
Building Connections
We partner with community organizations to create opportunities that matter. These collaborations give students the chance to lead, serve, and solve problems. Whether an applied practice experience or volunteer opportunities, our goal is to foster long-term partnerships that benefit both students and the communities they serve. We also offer workforce development and capacity-building support to strengthen public health systems and organizations.
Director, Office of Patient Experience Kathy Denton, PhD, CPHQ, SSBB, CPXP, ’82 MD Anderson Cancer Center
"MD Anderson Cancer Center – Office of Patient Experience has served as an internship site for many years. We appreciate that we learn as much from the students as they learn from us. From the first day, they are included in all our department meetings, activities, communications, and opportunities. Our goal for the interns is two-fold – to provide organizational project opportunities which can only be found at MD Anderson, and to provide educational and networking opportunities throughout the institution in which the students learn from MD Anderson leaders about their career field and their career journey. Opportunities include project work with our Service Excellence Program, Patient and Family Advisory Program, and our Patient Satisfaction Survey teams. These opportunities will enhance their classroom education in healthcare administration with experiences that will support their future goals."
Chief Operations Officer David E. Parker, MHA, FACHE Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)
“The practicum experience is an invaluable opportunity for master's level students to apply past experience and didactic education into current, real-world problems. We have been extremely fortunate to host two bright, eager TAMU School of Public Health (SPH) graduate students for their practicum at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX. They both played key roles in data collection, problem-solving, and decision making for current and strategic projects for the organization to include an executive health clinic, patient queueing, third party insurance collection, and referral management. Their combined efforts resulted in increased patient and staff satisfaction and real-world savings of approximately $2M for BAMC. It is an honor and privilege to teach, coach, and mentor the next generation of healthcare leaders. I am confident in the quality and professionalism of the graduate students from TAMU SPH and I look forward to continuing the partnership. “
Associate Administrator (Quality) Julie Ribardo, PhD HealthPoint Community Health Centers
"The value of our relationship with TAMU SPH is symbiotic in that both the student and HealthPoint benefit from the partnership. Being an FQHC, we frequently have projects that graduate students can provide support. These projects often involve various departments, and students have the opportunity to experience our organization on multiple levels. These experiences contribute to their professional development and expand their knowledge of the health care world through the perspective of an FQHC. We as an organization benefit from having the students because we are able to keep projects moving forward."
President Ken Hutchenrider Methodist Richardson Medical Center
"Our opportunity to partner with Texas A&M University School of Public Health provides the excellent opportunity for us to help shape the leaders of tomorrow for Healthcare. The students arrive very well prepared and become a part of our team on day one and provide valuable support to our facility and help challenge for our entire leadership team to grow. I would highly recommend this program to all."
Preparing Through Practice
In addition to the required applied practice experiences built into several of our undergraduate and graduate programs, TAMSPH also offers a wide range of events and activities that encourage students to learn by doing. These hands-on experiences prepare students to enter the public health workforce with the confidence they need and the skills industry leaders are looking for.
Get Involved with Public Health Practice
The Public Health Scholars Program recognizes students who go above and beyond to engage in experiential learning, professional development, and service throughout their time at TAMSPH and encourages skill-building to support their future goals.
This is a student's chance to meet, learn, and network with real world Public Health Professionals without having to pay anything! PHield Trips are designed to provide any SPH student the experience of meeting with and hearing from practitioners in the public health arena.
Each year, the Office of Public Health Practice sponsors the This is Public Health PHoto Contest. Winners are selected from three categories – undergraduate, graduate, and faculty/staff – and are displayed at the school for the coming year.
Contact the Office of Public Health Practice
Heather Clark, DrPH, MSPH
Director Assistant Professor of the Practice- hrclark@tamu.edu
- 979.436.9363
