What is Applied Practice Experience (APEx?)
An applied practice experience (APEx) is also known as a practicum, internship, or externship. It is an essential part of a student’s public health training as they develop into a new public health professional. The APEx provides an opportunity for students to practice the concepts, strategies, and skills from the classroom environment in a real-world setting with an experienced preceptor at a host organization. According to the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the applied practice experience should be mutually beneficial to the host organization and the student. APExs are available for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Learn more about the practicum experience
![Animated map of locations of Practicums](../images/practice/map-with-markers6.gif)
Applied Practicum Experiences Across
735
Sites in TX
35
US States
22
Countries
"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."
HealthPoint Community Health Centers
"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."
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
“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. “
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)
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.
Director, Office of Patient Experience
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Applied Practice Experience Information
A host site is a critical and valued component of the applied practice experience (APEx) for our students. Host sites identify a preceptor who orients the student to the organization (the organization’s physical and organizational structure, vision, and mission); assists the student in developing a work plan; oversees the student and communicates with the student’s APEx Coordinator; and completes an evaluation of the student’s work. An ideal host site incorporates the student into their organization as an additional employee, although we recognize this varies from site to site, as well as based on the student’s program requirements.
Education Abroad
Education abroad opportunities are a high-impact experience provided to students by an amazing group of faculty members. These international experience challenge you to think different and grow as a person, a student, and a public health professional.
Get Involved with Public Health Practice
Public Health Scholars
The Public Health Scholars Program recognizes students who go above and beyond to make the most of their Aggie experience.
EpiAssist
EpiAssist students help with outbreak investigations, disasters and emergencies, community health assessments, and other projects across Texas.
PHield Trips
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.
PHoto Contest
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.