The Public Health Associate Program for Recent Graduates (PHAP) is CDC's two-year, paid training program that prepares recent graduates to join the public health workforce, through hands-on field experience and structured learning. PHAP looks for people who have shown a commitment to public service — through volunteering or school — and who want a career in public health.
Who is eligible
Academic requirements
- A bachelor's, master's, professional or doctoral degree completed within the past two years, in any field.
- Official transcripts showing a grade point average of at least 2.95 on a 4.0 scale for the qualifying degree.
- Students still enrolled must graduate by July 31, 2026, to be eligible, according to CDC's current listing.
- U.S. military veterans whose service kept them from applying within two years have up to six years after graduating.
Citizenship: applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Commitments. Applicants must be willing to:
- work full-time for two years;
- relocate, at their own expense, anywhere in the United States or its territories for the two-year term;
- work in any area of public health;
- work in a state, tribal, local or territorial health department, or in a nongovernmental organization such as a community group or academic institution.
Competencies. The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Human Resources evaluates candidates on interpersonal skills, oral communication, problem solving, standards and written communication.
The "BEST FIT" model
Before applying, PHAP suggests candidates check themselves against the traits of successful associates:
| Trait | What it means |
|---|---|
| Big-picture thinker | Sees beyond their own specialty and understands how their work fits into public health |
| Effective communicator | Shares ideas and information accurately and concisely, in speech and writing |
| Succeeds in dynamic environments | Handles fast-moving public health problems: applies lessons learned, takes a scientific approach, changes course as directed and responds quickly as part of a team |
| Takes initiative | Spots ways to work more efficiently and goes beyond the basic assignment |
| Flexible | Adapts quickly and positively to frequently changing conditions |
| Interested in public health and public service | Has a service mindset and a strong desire to protect health and improve lives |
| Tactile learner | Learns by doing — PHAP is mostly on-the-job training in how public health programs run |
Sources
Based on "Associate Eligibility & BEST FIT Model," Public Health Associate Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. Check CDC's PHAP site for the current application cycle.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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