Many students encounter severe poverty and inequity and deep cultural differences for the first time. They learn to respond in an appropriate way that doesn’t undermine dignity. The practicum provides an authentic space to apply, synthesize, and evaluate what they’ve learned in the program. ”
What is the MSGH Practicum?
The MSGH Practicum is the program’s culminating experience and an opportunity for students to apply learned skills in underserved regions around the world. Practicums include partner rotations abroad, collaborating with global projects virtually, or working on “glocal” (global/local) projects in a local community. Former global health students have completed practicums in Uganda, Ecuador, South Africa, Mozambique, and other countries. Practical fieldwork experience is a valuable complement to the program curriculum, earning students academic credit in the practicum course, which is overseen by MSGH faculty. The Practicum is constructed so that students are not simply observers but are able to add value to our global partner's work through the skills and competencies gained through the MSGH program.
An overview of the MSGH practicum from MSGH faculty member Martha McGivern.
Timing of the Practicum course:
Students become eligible to register for the MSGH 580 Practicum course by completing any four of the following courses: MSGH 405, MSGH 408, MSGH 410, MSGH 417, MSGH 419, MSGH 480. Please note that all six courses must be completed by the end of the second term of the Practicum course.
When to take the course depends on your plan and timeline to complete the program. Some students wait to begin the Practicum until completing all six courses listed above, which may extend the length of time needed to complete the degree. Students determined to complete the program as quickly as possible are encouraged to register for their MSGH 580 Practicum Course at the earliest opportunity upon meeting prerequisite courses.
The MSGH practicum course spans four academic terms and is typically offered twice per academic year. If you enroll in the practicum course that begins in the summer term, all travel and assignments must be completed two weeks before the end of the following spring term. If you enroll in the practicum course that begins in the winter term, all travel and assignments must be completed two weeks before the end of the following fall term.
If you have any questions about the timing of the practicum course or would like help in mapping out your timeline to complete the program, please contact your academic advisor.
Coursework in the Practicum course:
Coursework for the practicum course is completed over 4 academic quarters focused on 4 goals: 1) identifying a practicum project, 2) proposing a practicum project, 3) implementing a practicum project, and 4) post-project reflection and reporting. Each of these four goals translates into the 4 project milestones that are completed in succession throughout the Practicum. Coursework in each term is divided into weeklong designations modeling a standard ten-week course to address each of the 4 goals. However, these weekly formats may not reflect the actual time commitment for the completion of each part of the course. Please be mindful that you will need to complete all coursework and fieldwork within the four-term timeframe of the MSGH practicum course. Additional details on the coursework for the Practicum course are available on the Canvas Course site once students enroll in the course.
How can I prepare for the Practicum?
All Practicum coursework is completed within the Practicum course and students do not complete any work in advance. While students may want to fast track through the program, it is not recommended that coursework be taken at the same time as their field experience due to both time and wireless connectivity constraints.
It is also important to consider that practicum projects require a minimum of 110 hours of work logged. This does not include travel, transportation, or free time. Most students conduct projects intensively—either in-person or virtually—over four weeks, but some students spread project work out across several months. With this in mind, one of the most important things to consider when determining when to enroll in the Practicum is when you may have more dedicated time to travel or complete your fieldwork experience.
With whom does Northwestern partner with for Practicum fieldwork?
Northwestern partners with Child Family Health International (CFHI), offering global health education programs throughout the world. CFHI is the leading international non-governmental organization (INGO) placing health science students in global health immersion programs in ways that are socially responsible and financially just. The organization models best global health education practices which demonstrate a priority commitment to community engagement and local integrity. CFHI is an INGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations. CFHI has many international programs in nations such as Bolivia, Ghana, the Philippines, South Africa, and Uganda. CFHI offers both in-person and virtual Practicum modalities.
Tuition costs for the Practicum course:
The Practicum course is one unit of credit and students enroll in the course a single time. Tuition for the course is billed for the term that the students enroll in the course and only counts toward federal financial aid eligibility for that term.
Please note that tuition for the Practicum course is charged and registration is reflected in CAESAR only for the first quarter of the Practicum; quarters 2, 3, and 4 of the Practicum course are not credit-bearing, do not appear as a registered, credit-bearing class in CAESAR and therefore do not count towards meeting federal financial aid requirements.
Given the federal financial aid requirement of enrolling in two credit-bearing courses in a given term to be eligible for aid, students in need of federal financial aid are advised to register for the practicum course at the end of their program. If you have questions about Federal Financial Aid, please contact the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid for further details.
What could be the costs for an international Practicum?
The cost of an international experience through CFHI varies depending on the program location and length. The cost of a four-week program is approximately $2,875, not including travel. The cost of an eight-week program is approximately $5,475, not including travel. Please see the CFHI website for the most up-to-date information about international program fees.
Students accepted into the MSGH program have access to financial assistance through federal and private loans. Students working with CFHI may also secure additional funding through a variety of CFHI-based options, including scholarships. Students may also have to secure their own additional funding for components of the practicum course.
Recent Practicum Topics
- HIV Survey Data Collection in Southwest Uganda
- Patient-Centered Leprosy Care: An Assessment of Patient Satisfaction with Care at Three Leprosy Referral Centers in Mumbai, India Run by the Maharashtra Lokahita Seva Mandal Leprosy Control Project
- Preventing Unnecessary Deaths in Southwest Uganda
- Understanding the Barriers That Contribute to Childhood Obesity in Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca, Mexico
- An Assessment of the Quality and Impact of eHealth in Nigeria
- Asian Human Services, Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
- Assessment of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Procedure in Guatemala
- Establishing a Sustainable Community Health Worker Program in Rural Mozambique
Comments from Recent Practicum Students
"I would have stayed for longer than one month if I knew the amazing opportunities that awaited me. KIHEFO is an incredible organization that really has a sustainable model for healthcare. There are many opportunities that await students there and I hope many will choose to participate in their program both in the medical field and public/global health."
(Uganda)
“I thought online learning detached you from your peers and instructors but I was wrong. I had great virtual interactions with my classmates — some of them I met in person and even traveled to Mozambique with for a health project.”
(Mozambique)
"Working with a fellow MSGH classmate was a good experience. Teaming up in a new country made the tasks more manageable. And we were able to apply our classroom lessons in the field effectively since we were covering each other's back."
(Mozambique)
"The two biggest traits I think an MSGH student will need when conducting their global health practicum are flexibility and independence. If you are willing to go in with an open mind and be proactive about your project (i.e. make efforts to get to know all the people at your site and really understand how you can help them through your work) you'll be successful."
(South Africa)
Graduate Global Health Fieldwork Scholarship
Deadlines to apply: September 1, March 1
The Practicum experience of the SPS Masters of Science in Global Health (MSGH) provides students with the opportunity to directly apply their education and positively impact underserved regions, in partnership with global organizations. To support this important work, the SPS International Fieldwork Travel Scholarship for the program provides funding to MSGH students to partially support fieldwork abroad as part of practicum. Scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Please see the Scholarships page for more information.