Graduate Applied Practice Experiences (GrAPEs)

GrAPE Requirements

The MPH is a professional practice degree, and as such, we believe it is important for all MPH students to be exposed to, and involved in, public health practice throughout the entire program. One of the ways we do this is through curricular and co-curricular graduate applied practice experiences – or GrAPEs -- which involve:

• Substantial interaction with a public health or related organization.
• Application of competencies to a public health problem.
• Structured reflection.

To demonstrate substantial interaction with public health or related organizations, MPH students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of GrAPEs prior to graduation.  This time must be spent working with or working in a public health or related agency and may include up to 25 hours of public-health related webinars, workshops, or conferences. We encourage MPH students to distribute GrAPE hours throughout your MPH program and seek out varied opportunities.

To demonstrate the application of competencies to a public health problem, MPH students are required to develop competency-based products for a public health or related agency.  Per accreditation requirements, MPH students must produce a minimum of two products that demonstrate a minimum of five competencies, three of which must be foundational. 

Last, MPH students are required to complete a structured reflection of completed GrAPEs that highlights experiences, competency development, and professional growth.