MPH Fieldwork (NUTR 532, 1 cr)

Fieldwork projects are intended to offer an opportunity to explore an area of public health nutrition practice. Students are expected to spend at least 40 hours (1 credit hour) in activities related to the placement. A fieldwork generally take place over the summer or a single quarter. MPH in Public Health Nutrition students are required to complete 1 credit of fieldwork (NUTR 532).

Summary of Steps

• Arrange a meeting with the with the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor at least 5 weeks before the intended start date to discuss interest areas and to plan for contacting potential preceptors.
• After the faculty advisor and the preceptor have agreed to the placement, describe the project, set the timeline and outline the final product on the MPH Nutrition Fieldwork Agreement (docx).
• Share a draft with the fieldwork advisor and preceptor. Once edits are made, collect signatures.
• Email the signed Fieldwork Agreement to NSP Student and Academic Services at gradnutr@uw.edu. Once received, they will provide an add code for NUTR 532.
• Complete experience & deliverables as planned. Submit your final product/deliverables to the preceptor.
• Provide the preceptor with the MPH Nutrition Fieldwork Evaluation (docx) and schedule a time to discuss the evaluation. Email the signed student evaluation to the Fieldwork Faculty Advisor.
• Complete & submit to Faculty Advisor before the end of the quarter a project summary report including:
  • Log of activities that includes dates, hours spent, and objectives completed.
  • Overview of agency information (how does the organization fit within the overall mission of public health, and where does your project fit under that?). Describe the public health needs of the population served (who is being served by your organization? what are the public health needs of this group? If applicable, comment on the historical and contemporary inequities such as those associated with race, ethnicity, class, sex and gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, religion, creed, age, or socioeconomic status. If applicable, comment on topics such as power, inequality, marginality, and social movements)
  • Product/ deliverable developed with citation list.
  • Reflection on the experience and its application to your future practice in public health nutrition. What are the challenges and successes of the agency?  What might you have done differently if you were to do this project again? What might you do if you had more time in this setting? Are there opportunities for other students to work with this organization? Would you recommend this experience to other students?  How can you apply what you learned to your practice of public health in the future?
• Present on the experience (PPT, Prezi or infographic) to fellow MPH Nutrition students, scheduled annually in autumn quarter.

International Students

During their first year, F-1 students must work with the University’s International Student Services (ISS) office to register for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  Students with a J-1 or J-2 VISA must also meet with their ISS advisor during year 1 to apply for Academic Training.

Fieldwork and Practicum Faculty Adviser

Anne Lund, MPH, RDN, FAND
Director, Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Director, Master of Public Health Program
324 Raitt Hall
AEL4@uw.edu