Students must follow the sequence outlined in Steps for Completing the Practicum Experience (for student) and meet various deadlines documented in their Learning Contract.
Enrollment Status
MPH students cannot have a non-enrolled status (e.g., GNM status, on-leave status) for two consecutive quarters or more while completing a practicum. For example, if a student does not enroll in Summer quarter, they must be enrolled in the previous Spring quarter and following Autumn quarter to maintain coverage. Students who do not follow these guidelines will not be able to count their practicum hours during periods in which they are not covered by the UW liability insurance.
Other guidelines concerning enrollment and progress for practicum:
- Practicum project hours completed by a student prior to the finalization of a learning contract will not be counted towards the degree requirement.
- Credit for retroactive projects will not be accepted. If the details of the project change, changes must be documented in the midpoint review, and in some cases, a modified learning contract must be implemented.
- If a student consistently fails to meet the deadlines of their practicum, the student will be advised to meet with their Practicum Faculty Adviser to develop a plan for completing the required credits, either through their original practicum project or a new one. Students will not receive practicum credits or graduate until the work is complete.
- If a student transfers from one UWSPH MPH program to another while in the process of completing a practicum, the director (or other designated person) of the receiving MPH program must assess the student's practicum to ensure that it meets the new program's criteria. If it does not, the student may need to modify the experience or complete a different practicum that is appropriate to the receiving program's criteria.