Graduate Study

MPH Fieldwork

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. 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). View past MPH Fieldwork projects.

Summary of Steps

  • Arrange a meeting with the with the fieldwork faculty adviser at least 5 weeks before the intended start date to discuss interest areas and to plan for contacting potential preceptors.
  • After the faculty adviser 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 (doc).
  • Share a draft with the fieldwork adviser 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 to register for NUTR 532.
  • Complete experience and deliverables as planned. Submit your final product/deliverables to the preceptor.
  • Provide the preceptor with the MPH Nutrition Fieldwork Evaluation (doc) and schedule a time to discuss the evaluation. Email the signed student evaluation to the fieldwork faculty adviser.
  • Complete and submit to the fieldwork faculty adviser 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 within that?). Describe the public health needs of the population served (who is being served? 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. Comment on topics such as power, inequality, marginality, and social movements, if applicable.
    • Product/deliverables 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 to fellow MPH Nutrition students, as scheduled.

International Students

Students on F-1 visas must work with the University’s International Student Services (ISS) office to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which serves as work authorization for activities related to their program of study, before starting fieldwork.  Students with a J-1 or J-2 visa must also meet with their program sponsor before starting academic training.

MPH Fieldwork Faculty Advisers

Cristen Harris, PhD, RDN, FAND
Director, Master of Public Health Program
Dr. Harris primarily works with students not completing the GCPD.

Anne Lund, MPH, RDN, FAND
Director, Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Anne Lund primarily works with students completing the GCPD.