Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) Team

What does the SEAL Team do?

SEALs attend class and complete assignments designed to build practical skills in communicable disease and applied epidemiology. These activities prepare students for field assignments at state health departments and local health jurisdictions (LHJs).

Students may assist with:

• Outbreak investigations
• Disease surveillance
• Public health preparedness activities
• Emergency response efforts
• Other public health projects based on community needs

What is the time commitment?

The SEAL program commitment is one calendar year, from January through December. SEALs will enroll in EPI 594 in the Winter and Fall quarters. They will also have the option of taking a public health surveillance course (EPI 506) in Spring. During the Winter and Fall quarters, we will have weekly class. SEALs will begin signing up for field assignments in the Spring. During the Spring and Summer quarter, students will have the option to register for one credit but can remain on the SEAL Team without registering. In Summer quarter, there will be no in-person meetings, but SEALs will still be expected to complete field assignments, regardless of registration status.

Can SEAL Team count as my MPH practicum?

It may be possible to develop your SEAL Team field assignment into a practicum, though this will be on a case-by-case basis. Being a part of the SEAL Team, or taking the course, does not fulfill the practicum requirement on its own.

Student Timeline (January to December)

Winter Quarter

• Required: Enroll in EPI 594 (2 credits). Typically offered Tuesdays from 9am-10:20am.
• Participate in and attend weekly SEAL Team class.
• Course focus: Complete foundational training in communicable disease and applied epidemiology. Build skills necessary for future field assignments.

Spring Quarter

• Sign up for field assignments with public health partners.
• Optional enrollment in EPI 506 (2 credits): Public Health Surveillance.
• Optional enrollment in EPI 594 (1 credit): independent study to reflect field assignment work.

Summer Quarter

• Optional enrollment in EPI 594 (1 credit): independent study to reflect field assignment work.
• No in-person meetings are held.
• Students remain active members of the SEAL Team.
• Continue completing field assignments regardless of registration status.

Fall Quarter

• Required: Enrollment in EPI 594 (1 credit). Typically offered Fridays from 9am-10:20am
• Participate in and attend weekly SEAL Team class.
• Continue field assignments and applied public health activities.
• Present to class on field assignment deliverables.
• Course includes career development panels, a field trip to the public health laboratory, and in-person meeting with state-level epidemiologists.

Applications for the 2027 SEAL Team will open on Wednesday October 7th, 2026. Applications will close on Monday October 19th, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Masters and PhD level students who will not graduate before Fall 2027 in any department in the School of Public Health are eligible to apply. There are no prerequisite classes.

Partner with the SEAL Team 

The SEAL Team partners with state health departments, local health jurisdictions, and other public health organizations to support critical public health work while providing students with meaningful applied learning opportunities.  

How SEAL Students Can Support Your Organization 

SEAL students may assist with: 

• Outbreak investigations 

• Public health preparedness activities 

• Emergency response efforts  

• Surveillance projects  

• Epidemiologic analyses 

• Data management and reporting 

• Other emerging public health priorities and projects 

Partner Benefits 

By working with the SEAL Team, partners gain: 

• Access to trained epidemiology students 

• Additional surge capacity during response activities 

• Support for epidemiologic and preparedness projects 

• Opportunities to mentor and develop the future public health workforce  

How are SEALs prepared for field work? 

SEALs enroll in a two-credit Field Epidemiology course during Winter quarter (EPI 594) and an optional two-credit public health surveillance course during Spring quarter (EPI 506). In Fall quarter, SEALs enroll in a one credit course (EPI 594) focusing on communication in public health practice where they present to their peers about the field assignments they have completed. 

The courses are designed to meet these SEAL Team Competencies.  

Who are the SEALs? 

As of 2026, there have been 11 cohorts of SEAL team students, including MPH, MS, PhD, and MD Fellows from the Departments of Epidemiology, Environmental Health and Occupational Health Sciences, Global Health, Health Systems and Population Health, and Biostatistics. 

What types of field assignments have SEALs completed? 

Check out the Annual Report to see what projects our SEALs have been up to! 

Organizations interested in working with the SEAL Team should contact program leadership to discuss field assignment opportunities, project needs, and student engagement opportunities.