Key points
- The Public Health Associate Program for Recent Graduates (PHAP) is a two-year, paid training program that prepares recent graduates to enter the public health workforce through field experience and structured learning.
- Potential applicants can learn about eligibility requirements and characteristics of successful associates.
Overview
PHAP seeks candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to public service through volunteer or school experiences, and who have a desire to pursue a career in public health. Applicants to PHAP must demonstrate academic achievement, flexibility, social and cultural inclusiveness, and a desire to be of service.
Eligibility
Beginning in 2025, applicants must meet the following academic requirements.
- Completion of an associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree, or a certificate from a qualifying educational institution or a qualifying career or technical education program (including Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, and Registered Apprenticeships) within the past two years.
- US military veterans who are unable to apply within two years due to military service obligations have up to six years after graduation to apply.
- Currently enrolled students must graduate by July 1 of the application year to be eligible.
- Official academic transcripts showing at least a 2.95 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on an eligible degree.
- Major study -- any field.
Applicants to PHAP must be U.S. citizens.
Applicants must also be willing to:
- Commit to full-time work for two years.
- Relocate anywhere in the United States and US territories at their own expense.
- Work in any public health subject area.
- Work in a state, tribal, local, or territorial public health department, or nongovernmental organization (i.e., community-based organization, academic institution).
General Experience Requirements
For GS-7 positions: Experience that demonstrates the applicant's potential to learn and perform public health program work, including the abilities to:
- Collect and evaluate facts.
- Understand and apply guidelines and specifications.
- Use analytical methods and processes to draw conclusions.
- Express ideas and concepts in writing, speech, numerically, and visually.
- Deal effectively with people.
Before applying
PHAP's "BEST FIT" model can help interested applicants decide whether PHAP is an appropriate program to advance their public health career.
Characteristic
Expanded Definition
Big-picture thinker
Associates are expected to “see the bigger picture” beyond their specific area(s) of experience or interest. Associates should understand how the work they do while in PHAP fits into the field of public health.
Effective communicator
Associates should have strong oral and written communication skills. Associates must share ideas and information accurately and succinctly.
Socially/culturally inclusive
Public health professionals frequently work with individuals from different backgrounds. Associates should be free from prejudice and bigotry, be unbiased and tolerant, and be accepting of different views and cultures.
Thrive in a dynamic environment
Emerging and challenging public health issues create a fast-paced work environment. Associates should be able to apply lessons learned, take a strong scientific approach, make changes as directed, and respond quickly as part of a team.
Flexible
Associates are expected to adapt quickly to change and do so with a positive attitude. Associates should be able to function under frequently changing conditions.
Intelligent
Associates are expected to have a proven track record of academic success and have the potential to understand and apply new information and ideas.
Tactile learner
PHAP is a predominately “on-the-job experience” training program. Associates are expected to learn how public health programs operate and gain the technical elements of carrying out public health program activities.