Undergraduate Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning: Bringing Public Health into Practice

Experiential learning is an important part of the undergraduate experience in the College of Public Health. By combining classroom learning with hands-on professional experience, students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, build practical skills, explore career interests, and prepare for life after graduation. MEZCOPH alumni often identify these experiences as some of the most rewarding and valuable parts of their undergraduate education.

Why Hands-On Experience Matters

Experiential learning helps bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and how public health works in the real world. Through these experiences, students can:

• Apply classroom knowledge: Put public health concepts, theories, and skills into practice.
• Build professional skills: Strengthen communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Explore career interests: Discover areas of public health they enjoy and identify potential career paths.
• Develop professional connections: Network with supervisors, organizations, and other public health professionals.
• Gain confidence: Learn to navigate real-world challenges and contribute to meaningful work.
• Prepare for what's next: Build experience, professional references, and a stronger foundation for entering the workforce or pursuing graduate education.

As part of their degree requirements, all undergraduate Public Health students complete a culminating experiential learning experience: