Region IV Pathways to Practice Scholars Field Placement Program
The Pathways to Practice Scholars program provides an opportunity for current public health students to gain practical, hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges in underserved communities in the Region IV Public Health Training Center’s eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Field placements are intended to enhance a student’s professional skills and knowledge while giving them the opportunity to use skills learned in the classroom. At the same time, host agencies benefit from the energy and skills of tomorrow’s public health professionals.
INFORMATION FOR HOST AGENCIES
Are you interested in hosting a public health intern?
Partnering with the Field Placement Program allows your organization to support public health workforce development while receiving valuable assistance on important projects.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit a Host Agency Proposal: Complete a brief proposal form outlining your agency’s project.
- We Will Post the Position: Region IV PHTC will create a student-facing position posting for our website based on your proposal.
- We Promote the Opportunity: We promote the position to eligible students throughout the Southeast.
- You Select the Intern: We screen applications and forward them to your agency. You review and interview candidates, then inform us of your final selection.
- Orientation and Support: We provide student orientation and ongoing support. You will offer day-to-day supervision, mentorship, and guidance throughout the semester.
- Watch This Video for Helpful Tips on Hosting a Student
Timeline for Host Agency Proposals
| Semester | Placement Dates | Host Agency Proposal Deadline |
| Fall | September – December | May 30 |
| Spring | January – April | October 31 |
| Summer | May – August | January 31 |
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
The Field Placement Program offers public health students the opportunity to earn a stipend while completing a hands-on, community-focused internship.
How to Apply
- Apply to Posted Opportunities: Explore available internship opportunities. These positions are offered by public health agencies across the Southeast and align with key public health priorities. Submit your application for the position(s) that best fit your interests and qualifications.
- Submit a Student-Initiated Proposal: Already working with an unpaid internship site or identified one that fits your goals? You may be eligible to apply for funding by submitting a Student-Initiated Proposal detailing your project and its alignment with the program.
 Program Benefits
- A $3,500 stipend for completing a 200-400 hour field placement experience.
- Opportunities to engage with public health professionals and agencies.
- A change to make a measurable impact in underserved communities.
Eligibility
- Public health students enrolled in CEPH-accredited institutions across the Southeastern United States.
- The Region IV Public Health Training Center is a federally funded program that has a citizenship requirement. To be eligible to apply for the program, students must be either a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen U.S. national, or a foreign national having in your possession a Visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S.
- Individual placement opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria based on the host agency’s needs (e.g., specific skills, academic focus, or location requirements).
Timeline for Student-Initiated Proposals
| Semester | Placement Dates | Student-Initiated Proposal Deadline |
| Fall | September – December | August 15 |
| Spring | January – April | December 15 |
| Summer | May – August | April 15 |
AVAILABLE FIELD PLACEMENT POSITIONS
Available Field Placement opportunities for the Spring 2026 semester are listed below:
Alabama
- Mobile County Health Department, Mobile, AL – This position will be 100% in-person. Deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.
Kentucky
- Grayson County Health Department, Leitchfield, KY – This position will be 100% in-person. Deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.
Tennessee
- Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN – This position has the option to be conducted remotely. Deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.
Past Field Placements
Learn about the selected past field placement experiences. Click on a student to read their story.