Master's Project

Field Experience

Field experiences help students try new skills and to see themselves in a practice setting.  They allow for integration of theory and practice in an agency setting; they are a joint venture between the Major in Public Health Nutrition and the field agency. The effectiveness of future practitioners of public health nutrition depends on collaboration between the field faculty and the Major in Public Health Nutrition in the development of productive and meaningful field experiences. The broad goals of field experience are to help the Public Health Nutrition graduate students strengthen their philosophy and understanding of public health and to identify themselves as professionals in public health. These goals are achieved by introducing the student in a health related field agency to:

• The broad practice and philosophy of public health as it relates to nutrition;
• The application of theory to practice through work experiences.

The organizational framework for nutrition programs and services at the federal, state, and local levels;

Because field experiences provide opportunities for personal involvement in developing, planning, executing, and evaluating activities with and for professional and nonprofessional groups and individuals, a goal for students is increased self-awareness and self-confidence through accomplishment of these activities.

Field experience can contribute to the student's learning by offering the opportunity to apply knowledge and abilities within the framework of a public health agency.

Master's Project

The purpose of the master's project is to enable students to demonstrate:

• Familiarity with the tools of research and scholarship in the field of Public Health;
• The ability to plan and carry out a systematic investigation related to a public health issue; and
• The ability to effectively present, in written form, the results of their investigation.
• The ability to work independently;

The program views well-developed investigation and communication skills as essential if Public Health Nutrition professionals are to be effective in advancing the health and well-being of populations and at-risk groups.