APEx
Applied Practice Experiences
All FSPH students are required to complete an Applied Practice Experience (APEx) program, which requires a minimum of 400 hours in the field. Through these immersive experiences, MPH students apply their coursework knowledge in a practice setting while working at a health- or health-related organization. As UCLA Fielding students complete their APEx locally or abroad, they hone their skills, demonstrate competency attainment, and gain the confidence to take on leadership roles as public health practitioners.
The Bixby Center supports the APEx program by facilitating opportunities in sexual and reproductive health through Bixby alumni, SRH organizations, and other partners.
APEx Spotlights
Lauren Burns (MPH in Community Health Sciences, 2026)
“As a research assistant at the Bixby Center, I supported a project evaluating the impacts of U.S. foreign aid restrictions on sexual and reproductive health organizations. This role allowed me to develop applied public health skills outside the classroom, including survey design, key informant interviewing, data management, and project coordination.
I valued the opportunity to engage directly with the research process and academic environment, especially as I transitioned to graduate school from a corporate healthcare consulting background. The project’s focus on sexual and reproductive health was particularly meaningful, an area I am passionate about both academically and personally. My time with the Bixby Center has strengthened my commitment to contributing to the field of reproductive and sexual health in my future career.”
Ariana Schieferle (MPH in Epidemiology, 2026)
“Completing my APEx experience with the Bixby Center was one of the most formative parts of my MPH, allowing me to see how the skills I developed in the classroom translate into real-world public health work. During the internship, I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to connect with SRH and HIV professionals, deepening my understanding of this work in practice and the importance of building meaningful partnerships. I contributed to a mixed-methods study by helping develop survey and interview materials, supporting recruitment with SRH and HIV organizations, and collecting data through surveys and interviews. Being involved in the full research process from design to data collection to presenting our findings in a final report and poster was incredibly rewarding and eye-opening. This experience strengthened my skills in research and communication, and more importantly, solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in sexual and reproductive health, especially in a space that centers collaboration, equity, and community-informed approaches.”