See Public Health in Action: UNE Online’s Alaska Immersion Experience

Explore Rural Public Health Jobs With Our Hands-On Fieldwork Opportunity

At the University of New England Online, students pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) don’t just learn public health theory; they live it. The new Alaska Immersion Experience offers a powerful way to connect academic knowledge to the real-world demands of rural public health jobs. You’ll work in communities where access to care and health equity are persistent challenges.

We have partnered with the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Rural Immersion Institute of the North for this 10-day MPH practicum experience. This Immersion Experience in Alaska provides students with the opportunity to complete their Applied Practice Experience (APE) in one of the most remote and complex healthcare environments in the country.

A Meaningful MPH Practicum Experience, Off the Beaten Path

Every accredited MPH program includes a fieldwork component. At UNE Online, requirements do more than fulfill a checklist; they change your perspective. The Alaska Immersion Experience places students in the heart of rural healthcare systems. Students directly engage with local providers, explore public health infrastructure, and witness health disparities in geographically isolated communities.

Students begin in Anchorage, where they meet healthcare professionals and build foundational context about Alaska’s public health landscape. From there, they travel to rural communities to participate in hands-on, public health fieldwork. This includes site visits, collaborative projects, and guided reflection. They’ll gain exposure to the cultural and environmental realities that shape rural health. This is insight that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Why Real-World Experience Matters in MPH Programs

There’s no substitute for hands-on experience in MPH programs. Whether you’re working towards improving maternal health access in remote villages or navigating communication strategies in underserved areas. No matter your goals, fieldwork trains you to adapt, listen, and lead with empathy.

Immersive experiences strengthen the connection between your coursework and your career path. It builds the practical skills that public health leaders need. Skills like project design, community engagement, and systems thinking. Fieldwork experience in an MPH program also cultivates cultural humility. This is especially vital for those planning to work in global, rural, or Indigenous communities.

Training Public Health Professionals to Serve Where They’re Needed Most

Rural healthcare delivery presents a unique set of challenges. Rural communities often face limited resources, provider shortages, transportation barriers, and environmental threats. Yet, these same challenges create opportunities for innovation and impact. Students who complete the Alaska Immersion Experience graduate with firsthand insight into the realities of rural health jobs. These are the very roles that drive change in underserved regions across the U.S.

Understanding rural health systems is essential for those looking to influence policy, expand health education, or launch community-based interventions. The MPH degree at UNE Online provides the framework and experiences to build your skills and understanding of rural health disparities.

A Practicum-Focused Program Built for Impact

Many students search for programs by comparing an MPH capstone vs practicum. UNE’s program stands out by offering a practicum-based curriculum that emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning. The Alaska Immersion Experience provides an opportunity for students to complete their Applied Practice Experience (APE) in active public health environments. Students have the chance to work alongside professionals and make a meaningful impact long before graduation.

What Sets UNE’s MPH Program Apart

Not all online MPH programs offer opportunities like this. Here’s what sets us apart: 

  • Designed for working professionals
  • Flexible, accredited, and connected to real-world impact
  • Small class sizes
  • Expert faculty
  • Immersion Experiences:
  • Curriculum that blends foundational knowledge with emerging public health issues, from climate change to digital health

Ready to Get Started?

The Alaska Immersion Experience is open to UNE Online MPH students who have completed their required coursework. While priority is given to students in the Global Health concentration, all students are encouraged to apply.

We are proud to have students from our MPH program go on to make a lasting impact in a variety of public health sectors. Whether that’s local health departments, nonprofit organizations, or remote clinics around the world, UNE’s MPH program offers the practical training and field experiences that will set you apart.

Learn more at on our website
Contact the Public Health team at publichealth@une.edu

By on April 28th, 2025 in Blog
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