The DHPE Internship Program provides 12-week public health internships for students from Minority-Serving Institutions. The program began in 2002 with 27 interns from 4 schools placed in 3 cities. It has since grown significantly. Interns complete competency-based projects and are mentored and trained in core public health skills. The program aims to strengthen minority student development, recruit and retain minorities in public health, and improve health outcomes. Students apply by submitting transcripts, references, and a statement of interests. Accepted interns receive assistance with certification, trainings, career coaching, and a stipend.
2. Objectives
• To provide a history of DHPE Internship
Program
• To provide an overview of DHPE
Internship Program
• To share stories and types of projects the
interns completed
3. May 2000
CDC and Association of State and Territorial
Directors of Health Promotion and Public
Health Education (DHPE) Minority Health
Workgroup convened a meeting with
representatives from Minority-Serving
Institutions (MSIs) to discuss ways to
strengthen their health education programs
4. Eight Key Goals:
• Increase presence
• Enhance cultural
competency
• Encourage professional
development of faculty
• Acquire appropriate
teaching resources
5. Eight Key Goals:
• Create partnerships
• Expand recruitment
• Improve retention
• Strengthen professional
development of
students
6. MISSION
The Directors of Health Promotion and Education/
CDC Internship Program for Students of
Minority-Serving Institutions exists to strengthen
the development of minority students by creating
partnerships between minority-serving institutions
and the public health community.
7. GOALS
• To create a highly qualified, diverse public
health workforce
• To recruit and retain minorities in public
health education
• To provide leadership, services and better
health outcomes for all communities
8. PROGRAM DESIGN
• 12-week Sessions (Fall, Spring, and Summer)
• Core Competencies of Health Education
• Introduction to the Ten Essentials of Public
Health
• Competencies in Health Equity and Disparities
and Social Determinants of Health
• Professional Development, Public Health
Leadership and Mentoring
• Evaluation
9. Fall 2002 Pilot
• 27 Interns (graduate, undergraduate and
associates)
• MSIs:
– Florida International University
– North Carolina Central University
– Ogala Lakota College
– Texas Southern University
• Paper System
12. Projects Completed by Interns
Ramona Scarlett, North Carolina Central University
Make Sure You Know the T.R.U.T.H.: A Program to Decrease Tobacco Use and
Initiation among Youth Ages 12-18 in Durham County
Maridali De Leon, University of Puerto Rico
Evaluating the Impact of Coal Combustion Waste on Puerto Rico’s Southern
Communities
Francis Reyes, University of Texas El Paso
Disseminate Emergency Preparedness Trainings, Strategic National Stockpile,
Crisis Emergency Risk Communication, and Category A Biological Agents) within
the City of El Paso Department of Public Health
15. Internship Deadlines and Periods
Spring Semester Summer Session
Application
Deadline
November 1 March 1
Acceptance
Notification
December 1 April 15
Internship Begins January 15 May 25
Internship Ends April 15 August 14
16. Application Components
• Step One: Application
– Semester
– Three Cities of Choice
– Expertise of Choice
• Behavioral Science or Population-Based Needs Assessments
• Social Marketing or Program Development/Evaluation
– Experience Health Topic Area(s)
• Minority or Women’s Health
• HIV/AIDS or Chronic Diseases
– Academic History
• Current GPA
– Computer Literacy and Language Skills
17. Application Components
• Step One: Application
– Statement of Professional Interest
• Maximum of 1,000 words
• What does public health mean to you?
• What skills and abilities might you bring to a health agency
and to the field of public health?
• Discuss your academic and personal/work experiences that
have shaped your professional desires
• Discuss your personal SWOT analysis
• How would this internship assist you in pursuing your
career goals?
18. Application Components
• Step Two: Transcripts
– Upload Partial Bachelor’s Degree Courses or
Bachelor’s Degree and Partial Graduate’s Degree
• Unofficial is OK for upload, Officials needed if
selected
– Photo – Professional Headshot only
• Step Three: Three Recommendations
– Academic Advisor, Professional or Faculty and Personal
• Step Four: Time Available during the Week
19. Compensation / Benefits
• Assistance with CHES (MCHES) exam;
• Access to Shaping Policy for Health trainings;
• Provide ten professional development webinars, such as
resume critiques, cultural competency and logic models;
• Provide one-on-one individual career coaching;
• Provide employment announcements;
• Reimbursement for mileage to sites/events beyond internship
site;
• Access to federal, regional, state and local health
organizations, such as CDC and HHS; and
• Provide an hourly stipend - $12 for undergrads and
$15 for graduate students.
