Public Health Studies > Experiential Learning > Applied Experience

Applied Experience Requirement

Public Health Majors are required to complete an approved 80-hour public health Applied Experience as part of their undergraduate degree.  

This requirement involves supervised, hands-on work with public health professionals across the world. The intent is to engage students in activities that align with their areas of interest. Students can fulfill this requirement with local community-based organizations, government agencies or research units. Through the Applied Experience, we aim to afford each student the opportunity to participate in population-level change in a meaningful way.     

Some examples of places our students have worked: 

  • AID Healthcare Foundation Clinic, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • West Bengal State Health Department, West Bengal, India
  • Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York, New York
  • Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, Maryland
  • National Fragile X Foundation, McLean Virginia
  • Metropolitan’s Health Center 21, Bangkok, Thailand
  • California Department of Public Health Environmental Management Branch, Huntington Beach, California

For more information about the Applied Experience, contact the course instructor Keri Frisch.

Declared majors, access your PHS Community page on Canvas. 

My Applied Experience was a formative experience that allowed me to approach global public health work from a grassroots level, applying many concepts I learned in the classroom to the public health field. Further, my time in Uganda deepened my understanding and appreciation for community-level interventions, and for Ugandan culture.

Leta Ashebo, Class of 2021

Applied Experience Map

View JHU Public Health Studies Program: Applied Experience Sites in a larger map.

If you are a current public health major and would like more information about a listing, please contact the AE instructor.

Chris Alexander

Class Of 2025

Hopkins Community Connection at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Baltimore, MD

I would definitely say that the main highlights of being in HCC have been the amazing interactions that I have had with clients thus far. I have grown so close to all of them, learning so much about their lives and their histories.

Eirnin Mahoney

Class Of 2024

Infection Prevention Intern, University of Maryland Medical Center

This experience opened my eyes to the complexities of maintaining a safe hospital environment, where something as simple as tap water can represent an infectious disease risk. And beyond just determining risks and possible solutions, prompting an institutional response is more complex than I could have imagined, requiring collaboration across hospital departments such as maintenance and labs.

Eyad Ali

Class Of 2024

Pediatric Burn Atlas Research,  Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, JH School of Medicine

By developing an atlas where parents can visualize how their child’s burn is expected to heal, we can reduce distress associated with burn injuries and improve psychological functioning.

Louie Martinez

Class Of 2024

Intern, Department of Risk Management:  Cibola General Hospital, Grants, New Mexico

I developed a patient safety project that informed patients about fall risks and assisted in ensuring positive health outcomes were maximized in the healthcare facility.

Sanya Bawa

Class Of 2024

Pregnancy Aid Clinic, College Park, MD

I worked at the Pregnancy Aid Clinic, a government-funded clinic in College Park. Through the experience, I learned a lot about the healthcare system in Maryland, especially for women on government aid pursuing contraceptive options.

Tanvi Kosuri

Class Of 2024

Internship: National Institute of Allergens and Infectious Diseases

Through my work, I have been able to see the impact of antimicrobial resistance, not only in India but on a global scale.

Tomi Ibikunle

Class Of 2025

Generation Tomorrow Program,  Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)

My experience expanded my understanding of public health. I saw how systemic racism and social determinants such as environment and access to education and health play a role in the prevalence of a disease.