MPH Student Handbook 2026–2027

Courses

PUBLHLTH 787: The APEX Seminar
All students complete PUBLHLTH 787 to prepare for and plan their APEX project in collaboration with their preceptor. Students must be officially matched with an APEX placement site and preceptor by the date they begin PUBLHLTH 787.

PUBLHLTH 788: The Applied Practice Experience (APEX)
All MPH students complete a total of six credits of PUBLHLTH 788 for their Applied Practice Experience (APEX). *All students must complete the year 1 core public health coursework (PUBLHLTH 780, 782, 783, 784, 785, and 786) and the APEX Seminar (787) before beginning their APEX.

Schedule

For most students in the UW–Madison MPH program, the APEX sequence follows this schedule:

• Fall of year 1: Identify an APEX site and project.
• Spring of year 1: Take PUBLHLTH 787 The APEX Seminar (one credit). This course supports students in finalizing their site, preceptor, and learning agreement.
• Summer after year 1: Take PUBLHLTH 788 The Applied Practice Experience (APEX) (six credits). During this course, students complete the required 240 hours at their APEX site and submit deliverables that demonstrate professional growth and achievement of MPH competencies.

Students in dual-degree programs, those with part-time enrollment, or those following a customized program plan may complete PUBLHLTH 787 and/or 788 on a different timeline. Please consult your individualized program plan from Kathryn Emmert or Mindy Schreiner for the timing that applies to you.

Each student’s APEX project is unique. APEX projects should align with the student’s interests and the needs of the APEX site. We welcome a wide variety of projects, provided they incorporate public health concepts and have a meaningful impact on population health.

Students are expected to be matched with a site by the time they begin PUBLHLTH 787. The details of the APEX project are planned during PUBLHLTH 787 in collaboration with the APEX preceptor.

Featured APEX projects

Site Requirements

To ensure the APEX experience aligns with MPH learning objectives, students must complete their APEX project at a site that meets these criteria:

• Engages in public health work or operates in a field closely related to public health
• Can provide a clearly defined project with a scope of work appropriate for a graduate-level internship and a qualified preceptor who will offer mentorship, guidance, and regular feedback
• Is willing to sign an Affiliation Agreement with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Examples of potential APEX sites include: public health departments or government agencies (local, state, tribal, federal), non-profit or community-based organizations, academic institutions or research centers, health care systems, private sector organizations involved in public health work.

APEX community partners

All APEX sites are subject to MPH program approval.

Site Location and Work Modality

Students may complete the APEX in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format, depending on the host organization’s capabilities and the nature of the work. Sites may be located within Wisconsin, out of state, or internationally (for more information on international APEXs, jump to the Global Health APEX section), as long as all program requirements are met. Students are responsible for all costs related to travel, housing, or relocation associated with their APEX site.

Students who plan to travel internationally while enrolled in APEX credits should inform the MPH program as early as possible. Additional approvals or oversight may be required before travel is approved. Student travel is subject to UW–Madison policies. For more information visit the UW–Madison International Division’s website and review the International Travel Guidelines and Policies.

Colorado APEX Sites

The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act requires student interns to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The University of Wisconsin–Madison is not able to add students to its institutional workers’ compensation policy and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment does not permit students to provide their own insurance. Before scheduling an APEX in Colorado, students must work with the Office of Student Services and the site to ensure that Colorado worker’s compensation insurance requirements will be met. If a student is not covered by a worker’s compensation policy, they will not be permitted to complete their APEX in Colorado.

APEX at Student Place of Employment

Students may complete their APEX at the same organization where they are employed, provided these conditions are met to protect the integrity of the academic experience and avoid conflicts of interest:

• The APEX preceptor must be someone other than their employment supervisor and must not fall within the same chain of command
• The APEX project must be distinct from their regular job duties and provide new learning opportunities

To formalize this arrangement, the student, work supervisor, and APEX preceptor must sign the Work Site APEX Commitment Agreement, confirming that all parties understand and will uphold these boundaries.

During the APEX, students work closely with a preceptor at the APEX site. Preceptors oversee the day to day work of the APEX project, provide mentorship, and ensure that the APEX is a valuable learning opportunity. Students are expected to meet with their preceptor regularly during the APEX to update them on progress, receive project guidance and mentoring, and ensure proper progress.

Individuals who are interested in serving as a preceptor must meet these qualifications:

• Have a breadth of knowledge and experience in population health evidenced by a master’s level or higher degree in an appropriate field and/or substantial professional experience (10+ years)
• Be interested in and feel comfortable providing support and mentorship to students
• Be an employee of the APEX site

The MPH program encourages students to pursue paid APEX opportunities whenever possible. Compensation for APEX projects is determined by the APEX site and depends on the nature of the project and the availability of funding. The MPH program does not arrange or guarantee payment for APEX placements. While we are committed to advocating for and developing partnerships that offer paid opportunities, we also acknowledge that some valuable public health organizations may not have the resources to provide monetary compensation.

Students are encouraged to consider both paid and unpaid opportunities based on the potential for learning and mentorship.

Students can complete their APEX internationally by applying for the Global Health Applied Practice Experience (APEX) through the MPH program. Applications are due by the end of October each year for APEX to occur the following summer. Students are selected based on demonstrated past global health experience, knowledge, and skills. Students selected for the Global Health APEX are required to identify an international site for APEX placement that will allow the student to complete the 240 APEX hours.

Students who are interested in a Global Health APEX should contact the Community Engagement Manager in the fall term to express interest and learn about opportunities. Students must submit a Global Health APEX application by October 31 to be considered for this opportunity. Students who are not completing a Global Health APEX but are interested in global health are still able to complete a Global Health Certificate (contact the Office of Global Health for more details).

More Global Health APEX information

Due to federal regulations, international students attending university under an F-1 and J1 visa must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through UW–Madison International Student Services before beginning their APEX. Students may apply after the ALA is finalized at the end of PUBLHLTH 787 and they are enrolled in PUBLHLTH 788 credits. Students will need to apply for CPT every semester they are enrolled in PUBLHLTH 788.

More information about this can be found on the International Student Services website.

There are three components of the ILE:

1. Final written product
2. Poster presentation
3. Portfolio

Students must meet with their two public health mentors together for an ILE review before graduation. This is a meeting where students will review all of the components of their ILE and reflect on their time in the program and their career path forward with their mentors.

Final Written Product

As the culminating academic experience of the MPH program, students must complete an ILE final written product. The final written product is a high-quality, stand-alone written product that demonstrates synthesis and integration of multiple public health competencies, including foundational and concentration-specific competencies, while showcasing the student’s ability to communicate public health work in a clear, organized, and professional manner.

The final written product should:

• Demonstrate synthesis and integration of multiple public health competencies, including foundational and concentration-specific competencies
• Showcase strong written communication through a substantive, well-organized, and logically structured document
• Be appropriate for the student’s educational and professional goals

ILE final written products can take many forms. Prior examples include: program evaluation report, training manual, policy statement, legislative testimony with accompanying supporting research, toolkit, manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal.

For most students, the ILE final written product will build upon work completed during the APEX experience. In some circumstances, however, students may choose to complete a final written product that is separate from their APEX experience. Students should discuss their plans with their APEX mentors to ensure the proposed product will meet ILE requirements. Students should work closely with their APEX instructor and mentors to develop and refine the ILE final written product and ensure it meets requirements.

Ideally, the final written product is developed and delivered in a manner that is useful to the organization where the student completed their APEX. When appropriate, students should provide a copy of the completed final written product to their APEX site.

Direct questions about the ILE final written product to the Community Engagement Manager, Danielle Smith.

Poster Presentation

The MPH poster session showcases the culminating work of all MPH students as they translate public health theory into real‑world impact. Each poster highlights an APEX project. The session is designed to strengthen the learner’s ability to communicate public health concepts clearly, engage diverse audiences, and reflect on the public health skills and competencies they have developed throughout their training.

The MPH poster session, held during graduation week in May, fosters meaningful dialogue between students, faculty, mentors, and community members, reinforcing our shared commitment to collaborative, equity‑focused public health practice and allowing the program, peers and Academic Affairs to celebrate graduating learners.

By creating and presenting a poster during the session, each presenter and participant will be able to: communicate public health evidence effectively, apply principles of community engagement and partnership development, analyze real-world public health challenges in our communities, strengthen interprofessional and collaboration skills, reflect on the skills and competencies developed during the APEX and in classes, and strengthen professional networks.

Students must design a poster and be present at the poster session to answer questions about their APEX project. In certain circumstances, students are allowed to participate in an alternate poster session or submit a digital story, with approval from the MPH program. For more details about the poster presentation requirement, review the MPH Student Toolkit. Direct questions about the poster presentation to Kathryn Emmert or Mindy Schreiner.

Portfolio

As part of the MPH program, students create a portfolio that serves as both a culminating academic experience and a demonstration of their readiness for public health practice.

The portfolio provides students with an opportunity to showcase their growth as public health professionals by demonstrating their ability to integrate knowledge and skills acquired through the program and link it to MPH competencies. It also encourages students to reflect on their evolving professional identity, articulate their career goals, and present evidence of their skills and accomplishments in a format that can be shared with employers, colleagues, and other professional audiences.

The portfolio consists of four key components: personal mission statement and professional goals, work products, resume or curriculum vitae (CV), and final reflection.

For more details about the portfolio requirement, review the MPH Student Toolkit. Questions can be directed to Kathryn Emmert or Mindy Schreiner.

Prior to graduation, students must meet with their primary and secondary public health mentors to complete a formal ILE review. This review is designed to give students time with their mentors to reflect on their MPH experience, celebrate their growth, and discuss their career path forward after graduation.

Students will work with their public health mentors to schedule and plan this meeting, which typically lasts approximately 1.5 hours. During the ILE review, students will present and participate in a discussion with their public health mentors about their mastery of the program’s public health competencies. This meeting is an opportunity to receive feedback, gain insights, and solidify your professional development as students transition from the MPH program into their public health career.

More information about preparing for the ILE review can be found in the ILE Canvas course. Direct any questions about the ILE review to Kathryn Emmert or Mindy Schreiner.

As part of a professional degree program, students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner that reflects positively on themselves, the profession, and the MPH program. Improper conduct, both academic and non-academic, is incompatible with a career in the health disciplines. The MPH program will enforce SMPH policies and standards for academic integrity and professionalism. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the rules and standards noted in this handbook. Students who fail to meet the expectations and policies specified in this handbook may be subject to disciplinary actions, which may include academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the program.

The Professional Behavior Code (DOCX) includes examples of violations; however, it is important to understand that these examples are not all-inclusive, and in fact represent a few brief illustrations. Not all violations are considered equal and the severity of the penalty will determine the sanction. A serious breach of ethics, including dishonest acts, unethical behavior, discrimination, or confidentiality, may lead to prompt dismissal from the program. Every attempt will be made to apply the Professional Behavior Code fairly and consistently in all situations.

SMPH shared guidelines for professional conduct: Outline expectations for professionalism within the community. These guidelines emphasize respect, integrity, and accountability, and aim to foster a positive learning and working environment. They cover how to handle mistreatment, ethical behavior, and professional interactions.

Email

Email is the primary method through which we will communicate important information to you, which can have significant consequences if not read or acted upon. All students are assigned a wisc.edu email address, which the MPH program uses exclusively for official communication. We ensure that our emails contain information relevant to your academic journey, so it is crucial to read all emails thoroughly and respond as requested. Responses should be in line with professional decorum, typically within 48–72 hours, unless you have set an out-of-office notification.

Utilizing email appropriately is a crucial professional skill that you will need to learn effectively for a successful career in public health. Mastering clear, concise, and respectful email communication is essential for collaborating with colleagues, engaging with stakeholders, and managing professional relationships. Developing strong email skills will enhance your ability to convey important information, request assistance, and maintain professionalism in all your interactions.

Here are a few considerations and tips to keep in mind regarding email during your time in the program:

• Check regularly: Make it a habit to check your wisc.edu email frequently.
• Respond promptly: Aim to respond to emails within 48–72 hours, adhering to professional standards and respecting others’ time.
• Be clear and concise: Ensure your emails are clear and to the point. Provide all necessary context and information to avoid confusion.
• Follow up: Given the volume of emails received by professionals in today’s world, it is possible that messages may be overlooked. If you do not receive a response within a week, it is appropriate and necessary to respectfully follow up.
• Proofread: Before sending, proofread your emails for spelling and grammar errors to maintain professionalism.
• Maintain professional tone: Use a respectful and professional tone in all communications, regardless of the recipient.
• Allow reasonable time for responses: Keep in mind that professionals have many important responsibilities and may not be able to respond immediately.
• Use subject lines effectively: Write clear and relevant subject lines to help recipients understand the purpose of your email at a glance.

Calendar

Using a calendar system is another key professional skill essential for managing the numerous assignments and activities you’ll encounter in the MPH program. A well-organized calendar helps you keep track of important deadlines, meetings, and tests, and helps you stay on top of your responsibilities. Without a system, it can be challenging to manage multiple commitments effectively. Make it a priority to record all deadlines, appointments, and meetings, and adhere to them diligently. Missing appointments or failing to meet deadlines can negatively impact your professional reputation and academic progress. By leveraging a calendar system, you can stay organized, avoid conflicts, and ensure you fulfill your commitments reliably.

The MPH program uses video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex frequently for 1:1 meetings, classes, group work and other academic programs. Students are expected to be familiar with said technology and its appropriate usage in classroom settings and otherwise. Students should know how to link Zoom and other virtual meetings to their calendars and invite guests to the meeting as appropriate.

As students use virtual spaces to participate in classes, projects, meetings and field work, it is important to keep etiquette in mind.

Preparation:

• Stable internet connection: Ensure a reliable internet connection to avoid disruptions.
• Quiet environment: Choose a quiet, distraction-free area for your meetings.
• Appropriate background: Opt for a clean and neutral background or use virtual backgrounds if necessary.
• Check equipment: Test your microphone, camera, and speakers before the meeting to ensure they are functioning properly.

Professionalism:

• Punctuality: Join meetings on time. Logging in early can help resolve any technical issues before the meeting starts.
• Appropriate attire: Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person meeting.
• Preparing an agenda: Share an agenda in advance if you’re leading the meeting, and stick to it to keep discussions focused.
• Use of video and screen sharing: Keep your video on to facilitate better communication and use screen sharing effectively to present information.

Engagement:

• Active participation: Engage actively in discussions and contribute to the conversation.
• Non-verbal cues: Use non-verbal cues like nodding and hand-raising to communicate and show engagement.
• Note-taking: Take notes during meetings to capture important information and action items.
• Communication: Communicate clearly and respectfully. Use chat functions for side conversations and questions without interrupting the main discussion.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Students are encouraged to develop familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) tools in appropriate contexts to support future career readiness, as these tools are increasingly used in public health practice and other professional settings.

The use of AI tools for MPH work is governed by this policy:

• Instructors may choose to set more or less restrictive guidelines for their courses or assignments, and those expectations take precedence. Any use of AI outside these guidelines must be expressly approved in writing by an instructor or program staff.
• AI may be used for brainstorming ideas, organizing thoughts, or assisting with editing and refinement; however, all final work must reflect the student’s own writing, analysis, and synthesis. AI tools should not be used to generate substantive written content that is submitted as student work, including drafting entire assignments, sections of assignments, or the ILE final written product.
• Using AI in ways that are not explicitly permitted by this policy and/or instructor or program staff approval may be considered academic misconduct and may result in consequences in accordance with university policies.

Social Media

We encourage you to be mindful of how you use social media. Always maintain professionalism and respect in your online interactions. Avoid sharing or commenting on content that could reflect poorly on yourself, the program, or the public health profession. Before posting or commenting, consider how your content might be perceived by others and ensure it aligns with the values and standards of UW–Madison and the field of public health. For more information, review the Personal Social Media Use policy at SMPH.

To fulfill degree requirements, all courses must be completed with a satisfactory grade. Specifically, students must achieve a grade of C or better in courses graded A-F or receive a “Satisfactory” grade in courses evaluated on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. If a satisfactory grade is not achieved, the student will need to repeat the class in order for it to count towards their degree requirement. Students are allowed to retake a failed or unsatisfactory course once. A second failed or unsatisfactory course results in dismissal from the program. Students may not graduate with incomplete grades on their transcript.

We strongly recommend taking all courses required for the MPH degree as a letter grade (A-F). In some cases, approved electives or required seminars, such as independent study and research courses, may be offered for a grade of Credit/No Credit, or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Students can take no more than three credits of elective coursework for MPH degree credit graded as Credit/No Credit.

All courses taken for degree credit, regardless of the manner by which they are graded, must meet the requirements of the MPH program.

Students must plan ahead for the completion of all degree requirements and graduation paperwork. Students must notify the MPH program office of anticipated graduation no later than two weeks after the start of the term in which they will complete all degree requirements.

At the time of graduation, all degree requirements must be completed, including coursework, APEX, and all ILE components. All required paperwork must be submitted to the MPH program before the student’s graduation warrant can be signed. All incomplete grades (“I”) must be resolved and satisfactory grades received. The MPH program does not confer degrees with incomplete grades on transcripts.

Incomplete (I) is a temporary grade assigned by an instructor when a student is unable to complete all coursework at the end of a term due to illness or unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. After satisfactory completion of remaining coursework, the Incomplete (I) grade will be changed to the grade earned.

Students are eligible for an incomplete grade if they are earning a passing grade to date in the course and have only a limited amount of work left to complete.

Students who meet these eligibility requirements must request an incomplete grade from their instructor before the course ends. Granting an incomplete is at the instructor’s discretion. If approved, the student and instructor will agree on the remaining coursework, submission plan, and deadline. For incomplete grades in PUBLHLTH 788 The Applied Practice Experience, the APEX preceptor must also approve the request.

The MPH program strongly recommends that students complete outstanding coursework before the start of the next semester whenever possible. Doing so helps maximize recall of course material and allows students to focus on current coursework. Recommended completion timelines are:

• Fall semester incompletes: Submit remaining assignments before the start of spring term
• Spring semester incompletes: Submit remaining assignments before the start of summer term
• Summer semester incompletes: Submit remaining assignments before the start of fall term

Exact dates for these terms are determined by the UW–Madison academic calendar.

If a student is unable to complete the outstanding coursework before the start of the next semester, they must work with the instructor to develop an MPH Course Completion Plan. The plan outlines the remaining coursework, expectations for completion, submission deadlines, and any other conditions required to successfully resolve the incomplete. The plan must be approved and signed by the student, the course instructor, and the MPH program. For APEX incompletes, the APEX preceptor must also sign the form.

Unless otherwise approved by the program, students must resolve an incomplete no later than the end of the semester immediately following the semester in which the incomplete was assigned. Maximum completion deadlines are:

• Fall semester incompletes: Complete all remaining coursework by the end of the spring term
• Spring semester incompletes: Complete all remaining coursework by the end of the summer term
• Summer semester incompletes: Complete all remaining coursework by the end of the fall term

Failure to resolve an incomplete according to the requirements and deadlines outlined in the MPH Course Completion Plan may result in the incomplete grade being converted to a failing grade and/or academic review and remediation by the MPH program, with input from the MPH Program Promotions Committee. Depending on the circumstances, students may be placed on academic probation, required to decelerate their program, or dismissed from the MPH program and the School of Medicine and Public Health. Additional information is available in the student progress section.

The MPH program does not confer degrees with incomplete grades on transcripts.

Students may petition the Curriculum Committee through the MPH Student Coordinator to transfer credits, waive courses, or substitute courses.

The Curriculum Committee must approve the use of transfer credits, waivers and substitutions toward MPH degree requirements. Students must complete a Course Transfer, Waiver & Substitution Form and submit it to the MPH Student Coordinator. The Curriculum Committee is the final authority on the use of transfer credits, waivers, and substitutions.

The Curriculum Committee will review and consider the request where the student provides compelling evidence for wanting to substitute a course from another institution for one of UW–Madison’s courses. Reasons such as scheduling conflicts are not considered to be compelling.

Criteria for consideration:

• Courses must have been taken within the past five years in a CEPH Accredited program
• Courses must have received a B or higher
• Total courses transferred into the MPH program may not exceed 12 credits
• Courses must have been taken as a graduate student or special student

Approval process:

• For each course being considered, submit three documents to the MPH program:
  • A cover letter
  • Request for Transfer Substitution or Waiver Course form
  • Copy of the syllabus for each course to be reviewed
• Core course transfer requests: Course transfer request documentation will be distributed to the core course instructor, who will make a recommendation to the Curriculum Committee
• Elective course transfer requests: Course transfer request documentation will be reviewed by the Curriculum Committee
• Course substitution requests: Course substitutions will be considered by the Curriculum Committee

Core course substitution: The MPH program strongly encourages all MPH students to take their core courses at UW–Madison. It is rare that the Curriculum Committee allows the substitution of one or more core courses. However, students who wish to substitute a core course may submit the paperwork for a previous course to be considered for approval.

As part of the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and the larger UW–Madison campus, the MPH program follows shared guidelines and policies outlined by SMPH and campus. Important policies that you need to be aware of as a student:

• Academic Standards for Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.)
• Advancement and Graduation Standards
• Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) Professionalism and Misconduct
  • Academic Misconduct
  • Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures
• Student Mistreatment
  • Report student mistreatment
• Grievance Policy for SMPH Graduate Programs: Any student in an SMPH graduate program who feels that they have been treated unfairly by a faculty member, staff member, postdoc, or student in regards to educational decisions and/or outcomes, or issues specific to the graduate program — including academic standing, progress to degree, professional activities, appropriate advising, or the program’s community standards — has the right to complain about the treatment and receive a prompt hearing of the grievance following the grievance procedures. Any student who discusses, inquires about, or participates in the grievance procedure may do so openly and will not be subject to intimidation, discipline, or retaliation because of such activity.
  • SMPH Health Profession Program Grievance Procedure (DOCX)
  • Resolution of Health Professions Programs Student Grievances
• Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) Student Appeals
  • Program Level Appeals Procedure (DOCX)
  • SMPH Level Appeals Procedure (DOCX)
• Workforce Identification Badges: To enhance security and ensure that individuals in SMPH facilities are authorized to access these facilities, all SMPH faculty, staff, and students must have their Wiscard visible and displayed at chest-high level while in all SMPH facilities (e.g., HSLC and WARF), UW Health facilities and other non-SMPH facilities at which SMPH workforce members provide services (e.g., Meriter). The Wiscard will serve as an electronic access card for SMPH facilities that have electronic badge access control.
  • How to get your Wiscard
• Industry in Education
• Personal Social Media Use

Visit the UW–Madison policy library

When a student is unable to demonstrate sufficient mastery of course knowledge, skills, and/or professional attitudes as determined by the course directors or program faculty, they will be placed on remediation. This also occurs when students are assigned incomplete grades.

Students who do not get a satisfactory grade in a course required for degree credit will be required to retake the course for a second time to replace the poor grade and/or take additional coursework as approved by the appropriate MPH committee. Any student required to remediate may be delayed in the timing of graduation.

Individual plans for remediation are designed by the course faculty and may include, as appropriate, assignments, coursework, and/or mentoring. These components must be successfully completed according to the established timeline.

If a student fails all remediation attempts, then the student’s case will immediately be brought up to the MPH Promotions Committee for further consideration. According to the Academic Standards for Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) policy, failure to maintain good academic standing will result in the student taking one of three actions:

• Required to remediate by completing additional requirements
• Required to decelerate
• Dismissed from the program

Depending on the gravity of the situation, the decision of the MPH Promotions Committee can be for dismissal without consideration for probation, remediation, or deceleration. Refer to the Academic Standards for Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) policy.

Academic probation is a very serious matter and acts as official notice to the student that improvement in performance is required for progression in the program. While on academic probation, students are ineligible for teaching assistant positions and other leadership positions within the MPH program.

Students are placed on academic probation for these reasons:

• A semester or cumulative GPA below 3.0: If a semester GPA of 3.0 is not attained during the next semester of full-time enrollment (or eight credits of enrollment if enrolled part-time), the student will be flagged for the Student Promotions Committee for further action, which may include dismissal from the program.
• Receiving an unsatisfactory grade in any courses for MPH degree credit: All MPH core courses must receive a grade of “C” or better while also maintaining the 3.0 GPA mentioned.
• Unresolved incompletes: If a student does not finish the work for an incomplete grade within one semester, and does not have a signed MPH Course Completion Plan in place, they will be in unsatisfactory academic standing and could face disciplinary action.

Continued and unaddressed incompletes will be flagged for the Student Promotions Committee for further action, which may include deceleration or dismissal from the program. For more information about incomplete grades, review the incomplete policy.

The program reviews the academic performance of all students on probation. Based on academic performance, the program may: 1) remove probationary status, 2) continue probation, or 3) if a probationary student’s progress fails to adequately address the deficiency, may refer the student to the MPH program’s Student Promotions Committee for further action, including deceleration or dismissal from the program.

Deceleration is reducing the number of credits from a full-time status to part-time status. This could mean taking as few as one course per semester.

Deceleration for PUBLHLTH 788 (APEX) requires approval from the Community Engagement Manager in collaboration with the APEX preceptor. Deceleration for PUBLHLTH 788 can only occur one time.

Deceleration will be recommended by the Student Promotions Committee because of academic or professional reasons or at the request of a student in the event of exceptional personal need. Any student required to decelerate may be delayed in the timing of graduation.

Dismissal is the immediate termination of student status. If a student has been dismissed, they have no active standing as an MPH student during the reconsideration process. A student who has been dismissed from the MPH program may appeal the decision. Please refer to the program level student appeals procedure (DOCX).

The purpose of this policy is to define the policy and procedure for students to request a leave of absence or withdrawal from the UW–Madison MPH program. A Leave of Absence (LOA) is a suspension of coursework for at least one semester such that a student is not enrolled in any courses.

There are two types of LOA:

1. Student-Initiated LOA — The student elects to suspend coursework. Most often this is done for personal or health reasons.
2. Mandated LOA — The Promotion Committee suspends a student’s participation in some or all activities.

Students who are granted leaves of absence are not permitted to enroll in courses offered in the MPH curriculum. If a LOA is granted for the current semester after it has begun, the student must withdraw from courses following the university-defined procedure.

Students on financial aid are encouraged to inquire about the possible impact of a leave on their loan status.

Student-Initiated Leave of Absence

Students who find it necessary to request a leave of absence must submit a written request to the Academic Program Manager (Mindy Schreiner) or the MPH Student Coordinator (Kathryn Emmert). Student-Initiated LOA requests are reviewed internally by the MPH program, and approval is dependent on the reasons and goals for the leave. The MPH Promotions Committee is consulted if further guidance is necessary.

A leave of absence may be granted at the discretion of the MPH program within these guidelines:

• The student is in academic/non-academic good standing (as defined in the Academic Standards for Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) policy).
• The maximum leave of absence will not exceed one year. Only a decision of the MPH Promotion Committee can grant an exception, which is highly unusual.
• Students must contact the MPH program before the start of the intended term of return to discuss any re-entry requirements.

Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

When a leave of absence is requested for medical reasons, a written evaluation from a health care provider may be required.

When reentry to the MPH program is sought after a leave of absence for medical reasons, a written evaluation from a health care provider may be required.

When the reason for a medical leave is associated with a newly acquired physical/mental or learning disability, the student must be reviewed by the Promotions Committee.

Maternity or Paternity Leave of Absence

Students who have or adopt a child during their tenure in the MPH program may take a leave of absence before and/or after the child arrives.

Mandated Leave of Absence

The MPH Promotions Committee is empowered to place students on a mandated leave of absence in cases where there is risk to student health/safety, and/or the safety of others. These guidelines will apply:

• Re-entry requirements will be determined by the Promotions Committee.
• The Promotions Committee must approve return to coursework.
• While on a mandated leave of absence, a student may not participate in program courses and/or activities.

Impact of Leave of Absence on Progress in MPH Program

The degree plan for MPH students is sequential and requires that courses be taken in a specific order with some flexibility. Courses are often taught once each year. When an approved leave of absence interrupts the degree plan, the MPH Academic Program Manager and the Promotions Committee may design a revised degree plan specific to that student. This may lengthen the program and delay graduation.

Withdrawal From the Program

Students are permitted to withdraw from the program at the student’s discretion following the university-defined procedure. Please review the procedure for withdrawing from UW. Unless a Leave of Absence is requested and granted, withdrawal from any core courses constitutes withdrawal from the MPH program.