BPH Bachelor of Public Health Rural Public Health Scholars Program

Rural communities across Kentucky face some of the most persistent health challenges in the nation, and they need a strong public health workforce ready to partner with them. The Rural Public Health Scholars (RPHS) Program gives undergraduate public health students a meaningful opportunity to learn directly from rural communities while developing the skills needed to support them. This one-year program connects classroom learning with practical, hands-on experience that prepares students to make a real impact in areas where public health professionals are needed most.

Designed for Bachelor of Public Health students, the program is built for those who want to understand how public health works on the ground. Through coursework and fieldwork, Scholars gain foundational skills in communication, cultural humility, and community engagement while learning from public health professionals across the state.

The Rural Public Health Scholars Program reflects the University of Kentucky’s land-grant mission and commitment to serving communities across the Commonwealth. It strengthens the pipeline into Kentucky’s public health workforce and ensures students graduate ready to serve all populations—especially those who need public health support the most.

Program Structure A One-Year Applied Public Health Experience

Three 1-credit courses completed across spring, summer, and fall
Counts toward 400-level public health electives
Selective admission for BPH students in good standing
Designed to prepare students for community-engaged public health work

Students build essential background knowledge and skills through:

Guest lectures from rural public health professionals
Discussions on social determinants of health
Preparation for fieldwork, including community-engagement and communication
skills
Introductions to rural health systems, collaboration with stakeholders, and applied
practice expectations

50 hours in a rural Kentucky community

Possible placement sites include:

Local health departments
Cooperative Extension offices
Community nonprofits and youth programs
Rural clinics or community health centers
Local government or policy settings

Students gain hands-on experience in areas such as:

Health education
Program planning and evaluation
Community outreach
Disaster preparedness
Environmental health
Public policy engagement

Feedback highlights the value of meaningful, hands-on experiences and the importance of early placement, strong site communication, and preparation in health education strategies.

Students deepen their learning through:

Reflective writing on community experiences
Final presentations delivered to faculty, peers, and community partners
Recognition of site mentors and partner organizations
Opportunities to present project posters at CPH Research Day

Student Eligibility & Application

Open to Bachelor of Public Health students in good academic standing
Applications open in Fall for following Spring enrollment – speak to your Academic Advisor or the Program Coordinator for details