New Student Opportunities for Fall 2014: NACCHO Launches Health Policy and Practice Scholars Program

Aug 12, 2014 | Nicole Dunifon

PolicyScholarsLogoFor the 2014-2015 academic year, NACCHO has expanded their student opportunities to include the newly developed Local Public Health Policy and Practice Scholars Program. This program was designed as a guided, academic, practice-based opportunity for graduate level students in public health, pharmacy, environmental studies, or law to work on policy and practice issues impacting public health at the local level. The ideal student will have experience in research, writing, and policy analysis. While each student opportunity will be tailored to meet the needs of individual students and their university requirements, students should expect to:

  • Complete a minimum of 100 hours of public health policy and practice experience with specific assigned tasks while receiving academic credit,
  • Work independently and have the capability to complete assignments remotely,
  • Receive constructive feedback from an assigned preceptor with subject matter expertise, and
  • Attend a minimum of two half-day events at the NACCHO office in Washington, DC.

Potential Activities and Opportunities

Selected students will have the opportunity to learn how local public health fits into the boarder, complex U.S. public health system, while gaining subject matter expertise in a specific area of interest. Those selected will also have the chance to expand their network of public health professionals by interacting with NACCHO staff and NACCHO’s membership across the country.

Through the duration of the program, students will contribute to various NACCHO project deliverables, many of which will be used at local health departments. Those deliverables may include developing, revising, or contributing to policy statements, issue briefs, fact sheets, research briefs, presentation materials, and Stories from the Field. Selected students will choose their preferred focus from one of the following areas based on their interests and skill sets:

  • Public Health Preparedness Planning
  • Healthcare Coalitions and Partnerships
  • Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
  • Public Heath Law
  • Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Pharmacy Partnerships
  • Environmental Health Security
  • Environmental Health Practice
  • Risk Communications
Download a PDF of the Policy Scholars fact sheet

Download a PDF of the Policy Scholars fact sheet

For more information on the eight topics areas, as well as this practicum opportunity, please refer to the 2014 Local Public Health Policy and Practice Scholars Fact Sheet.

In recent years, NACCHO has hosted graduate-level students to work on policy and practice issues in the areas of public health preparedness, environmental health, and public health law. Last year, NACCHO selected a group of students to develop policy statements on emergency preparedness and response issues, such as local workforce development and training and pharmacy partnerships. The students received guidance and feedback on their policy statement drafts from staff with subject matter expertise and a handful of NACCHO’s Public Health Preparedness workgroups, consisting of local health department staff. These policy statements were recently approved by NACCHO’s Board of Directors in July and can now be referenced by the 2,800 local health departments that make up NACCHO’s membership.

How To Apply

Graduate-level students, located throughout the United States, pursuing a master’s degree in public health or a related field are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through September 22, 2014, but NACCHO encourages students to apply early. The eight selected students should receive academic course credit for their participation. Start an application

Additional questions about the application process may be directed to [email protected]

Know of a student who may be interested to apply? Please share this information broadly with your public health and university colleagues.


About Nicole Dunifon

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