A new pilot program is helping Hawaiʻi’s future public health professionals overcome financial barriers to completing required fieldwork. Based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, the program provides paid field experiences that are traditionally unpaid despite significant time and workload demands.
Through the school’s Hawaiʻi Public Health Workforce Catalyst Lab, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) and partners, the program coordinates funding so students can be compensated for required fieldwork. The pilot aligns with broader efforts to close this gap and expand equitable access to education and training.
Efforts started in summer of 2022 and expanded in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the pilot supported 10 students completing their bachelor’s–level Applied Learning Experiences (APLE) and master of public health practicums. In 2025, the program expanded to support seven additional graduate students and two undergraduate students.
Students said the funding made it possible to complete their practicums while balancing work and family responsibilities. The program also helped offset transportation and parking costs, easing additional financial pressure for students commuting to field sites.
Expanding access to hands-on learning
APLE and master’s-level practicums allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world public health and social work through interdisciplinary projects with community and government partners.
The paid placements allowed students to shift focus away from multiple jobs or other financial obligations and dedicate more time and energy to their practicum projects, strengthening hands-on learning experiences.
“We are honored and grateful to work with our partners at DOH and our fellow Department of Public Health Science and DSW faculty and staff on this important effort,” said Becky Rodericks, a faculty member of the Department of Public Health Sciences and a key collaborator on this project across all pilot years. “Our long-term and ongoing collaborations with DOH are vital to our program successes.”
