Capstone
A valuable part of the COPHP program's service learning component is the 2nd Year Community-Oriented Master's Project, or Capstone. Over their second year in the program, COPHP students develop, expand, and hone their public health skills in a community setting or health-related agency. Students are expected to a) identify and contribute to the solution of a public health problem, and b) summarize, present, and evaluate this effort.
Planning for the Capstone begins in the first year of the COPHP program. The work begins in the summer between the first and second years, and students should expect to invest about 180-240 hours in the project. Throughout this time, students will work closely with both an on-site mentor and a faculty adviser.
The project's broad goals are to contribute to solving a community health problem, to develop advanced public health assessment and problem-solving skills, and to develop comprehensive knowledge in an area or areas of special interest. Projects may be domestic or international. They must have practical value, be relevant to improving the health of the community, and be evidence-based.
