Public Health Associate Program

The Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) is a two-year training program for early-career public health professionals that is offered by the CDC. Associates complete an intensive training program and work at a host organization (often a county's or state's health department) to gain hands-on experience. Each host site selects a subject area for their associates to focus on, such as immunizations, health equity/access to care and oral health. The purpose of PHAP is to develop recent college graduates into the next generation of public health professionals and to increase the workforce capacity of the host sites where associates work. Associates receive a salary and benefits, as well as a mentorship opportunity from a CDC employee.