Student Information

BU Health Science students are required to complete an approved, planned, and supervised practicum. Students complete the practicum the summer before Senior year or during fall or spring semester of their Senior year. Students completing the practicum abroad may complete in either Junior or Senior year any semester. Please see Practicum Process for information on Finding a Site and completing the practicum. If you are interested in completing the Practicum at one of our international approved sites,  please see Practicum Abroad for more information.

Please note:  a one-time $100 internship fee per undergraduate internship course will be applied. This fee will cover all administrative expenses incurred for the student’s participation in this academic requirement.

What is the practicum?

This is an opportunity for you to integrate classroom learned concepts to a working health care related setting in the areas of health policy, medicine, health administration, global health, bench research, constituent advocacy, health promotion, and research addressing population health needs, among many other things, in a directed and focused manner.

Read more about Putting Theory Into Practice.

Student Requirements for completion of course (more details on this information and all requirements are available on the Blackboard site during the semester in which you complete your practicum) :

  • Students complete 120 hours of on-site internship experience (approximately 8-12 hours per week for 12-14 weeks). This varies depending on sites’ needs!
  • Students receive a letter grade for the practicum course.
  • Reflections about experiences on site
  • Course Assignments
  • Midpoint and Final Reviews completed by Supervisor

How do I begin planning my practicum?

Decisions about your practicum should be made to fit your academic and professional needs and interests. Consult with your Faculty Academic Advisor early to discuss class sequence or additional classes they might recommend to prepare you for your experience.

Registration: Based on guidance from your Faculty Academic Advisor, you may register for the Health Science Practicum (course number HS 405, 4 credit option only) in Fall, Spring or Summer.

Where do I begin?

  • Practicum Interests Form – After reviewing this entire site, complete this and submit the form.
  • Review Practicum Process page on this site.
  • We have an extensive network of partner sites, but you may also utilize your own network of peers, faculty and professional contacts. This includes previous research or internship experience you may have.
  • Think outside the box: reflect on  lectures, guest speakers, volunteer experiences, or organizations and individuals which have meant something to you and consider ways to pursue these opportunities.

Where do BU students complete their practicums?

A wide variety of sites. Sample Practicum experiences may be found below.

What are the next steps?

  1. Meet with your Faculty Advisor during registration.
  2. Register for HS 405 (4 credits) for appropriate semester.
  3. Prepare your resume with the assistance of Center for Career Development
  4. Complete the Practicum Interest Form.
  5. Email hsintern@bu.edu to discuss process or specific site options or if you have additional questions after reviewing this entire site.

Further Information:

Additional Tips on Interviewing

Professionalism Reminders (this references co-op but contains great general reminders of Do’s and Dont’s while on site)

Quick Links