Students in Fairfield Egan’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) program put classroom knowledge to work before they even earn their degrees. With the mentorship of a dedicated career coach and faculty advisors, our students tailor their education to complement their career goals and interests.
We recently spoke with MPH students about their fieldwork experience. Each has completed a 150-hour internship at an organization that conducts public health-related work with supervision and mentoring from a staff member with a public health background.
One standout example is Anne Arnold, whose work at the Center for Social Impact in Fairfield, CT, involved collaborating with Bridgeport Prospers to improve community survey techniques. “This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of public health dynamics,” Arnold shared, highlighting the invaluable insight gained by working with community board members.
Other students engaged in impactful roles that underscore the diverse applications of public health. John Atnip’s experience on the Nuvance Health Employee Wellness project allowed him to observe wellness program planning and work with a wellness manager who oversaw the program. Similarly, Laurence Cass Jr.’s experience with Nuvance’s Community Health program in Norwalk gave him practical exposure to public health needs assessments, significantly enhancing his ability to work in community-based initiatives. “This experience deepened my appreciation for the complexity of public health initiatives and highlighted the importance of adaptability in addressing diverse community needs,” reflected Laurence, “Working alongside such dedicated professionals helped refine my communication skills and strengthened my ability to translate theoretical knowledge into actionable strategies.”
Nicole Dana gained experience at Move to Live More in Somerville, MA, with her project Promoting the Importance of Physical Activity in Communities. “I was able to learn so much about physical activity and physical health working with Dr. Bantham,” Nicole comments on her experience, “Fieldwork allowed me to take concepts and knowledge I had learned from previous classes and apply them to a real-world public health experience.” During her time in Somerville, Nicole developed and implemented a physical health awareness campaign about kids and the importance of being physically active; this helped her reflect on the importance of kids being active and parents and caregivers assisting them in meeting their physical, mental, social, and emotional health needs.
Ionie Sanderson, a BS Nursing graduate from New York Institute of Technology, recently completed her field placement with Greenwich Hospital’s Smilow Cancer Center, focusing on the Oncology Survivorship Program. Her project, titled Empowering Women's Health: The Importance of Breast Health Education, allowed her to make impactful contributions to women's health education. Reflecting on the experience, Sanderson noted, "My MPH fieldwork has been transformative empowering women through breast health education." Guided by mentor Heather Studwell, Sanderson highlighted how the placement integrated her clinical and public health knowledge, solidifying her dedication to improving health outcomes for underserved communities. Sanderson also presented her work at the APHA Annual Conference in Minneapolis on October 24, successfully presenting a poster titled Impact of transitioning from hospital to home care on health outcomes in first-time surgery and newly diagnosed cancer patients.
Each of these students’ field placements demonstrates the program’s commitment to fostering hands-on, impactful learning. In various healthcare settings, from hospitals to nonprofit organizations, students build competencies and confidence through active participation in meaningful projects, ultimately shaping their future contributions to public health.
“The Online MPH program's field experience fosters a deeper, more practical understanding of public health principles and prepares students to tackle real-world health challenges effectively,” says Dr. Anthony Santella, program director.
