The capstone project and practice experience provide students with two distinct opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills obtained in coursework to public health practice.  The capstone and practice experience are separate requirements within the MPH Program, but may be combined into a single larger project.  MPH faculty members guide students in identifying projects that suit the students’ professional goals and personal interests.

CAPSTONE PROJECT

The culminating experience of the MPH Program is the completion of a capstone project including a written paper and a public oral presentation.  The project addresses a topic of public health significance and should contribute to the knowledge base of preventive medicine and public health. Through the project the student exhibits ability to integrate skills and competencies from across the curriculum to conduct evidence-based public health research.  Approval of the capstone report by the student’s committee members constitutes an assessment that the student is prepared to enter public health practice. 

Requirements for completion of the capstone project include:

The proposal is prepared as part of Community Health Practice I during the fall term.  The oral presentation is made as part of the Program’s Community Health Colloquium at the end of the spring term.  Students complete the written report as part of the required Thesis hours in the final term of enrollment.

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

The practice experience is a mentored, applied experience in a community or government agency involved in public health practice.  Practice experience sites, preceptors, and projects are selected to benefit the student, the host agency, and the MPH Program.  Students will receive professional mentoring, but will also complete projects that contribute to the mission of the hosting site. 

The requirement provides students with real world experience and provides the program with an assessment of student performance by public health practitioners.  The practice experience has been an invaluable mechanism for the MPH Program and its faculty members and students to contribute to the broader community.

The practice experience is completed as part of Community Health Practice II during the spring term and the 48 required practice experience hours are part of the 3 credit hours earned. Students write summary reports and obtain written performance evaluations from their practice preceptors.

Sites for practice placements are selected by the students in consultation with the course committee.  Primary sites available for the practice experience include:

Students may identify other practice experience sites that allow them to develop specific public health competencies or to work on topics related to their capstone projects.