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| MPH CAPSTONE PROJECT GUIDELINES FOR
Logistics for signing up for the MPH Capstone Special Studies Honors and Awards Summary of Steps to Complete the Capstone Requirement The MPH Capstone project is a requirement for graduation for students in the Master of Public Health Program. The MPH Capstone is an opportunity for students to work on public health practice projects that are of particular interest to them. The goal is for students to synthsize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired to a public health problem that approximates a professional practice experience. Completion of the MPH capstone project requires both written and oral components. The project is done under the direction of a faculty member, your MPH capstone supervisor. In order to satisfy the written component, a student must write a paper. While there are no formal guidelines on the length of the paper, it is expected that the paper would be about 20 pages (ranging between 15-25 double-spaced pages) not including references, tables and figures. The paper must include an executive summary (limited to 300 words) and references. Students are required to give a 10-minute oral presentation summarizing their capstone project that could include visuals such as a PowerPoint presentation (PowerPoint required for online presentation.) There will be a special capstone symposium held on Saturday in the month of May for these presentations. Students can either attend the onsite symposium, participate in special presentation sessions over the Internet in January or May, or present at a professional meeting, a seminar, or an alternative venue approved by your faculty capstone supervisor. The capstone is typically done during 3rd and 4th terms prior to graduation, as special studies courses under the direction of a faculty member, your MPH capstone supervisor. The capstone supervisor will typically be the student's advisor, but it need not be. Students can identify another faculty member to supervise the capstone, if it more appropriate. The first draft of the MPH Capstone project should be submitted to your faculty capstone supervisor by March 30, 2009 to begin the approval process. The final written project, along with a letter from your faculty capstone supervisor approving your project, is due by April 29, 2009. What are the possible forms that the capstone project can take? The capstone project can take many forms including one of the four designs below, an expansion of a course, or an internship or practicum opportunity. The overarching principle to determine if a capstone project is suitable is whether it provides students the opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired in the MPH program to a problem likely to be encountered in public health practice. The topic and format of the capstone project is flexible and is developed through discussions between the student and capstone supervisor. Some examples of formats or designs for the capstone project include: Students may wish to collaborate with a local public health community organization for their capstone project. The Student OUtreach Resource CEnter (SOURCE), a Johns Hopkins Medical Institution office, can be helpful in putting students in touch with local community organizations. Contact the SOURCE Director, Ms. Mindi Levin, at 410-955-3880. When part-time/Internet-based students have completed about three-fifths of their required credits (approximately 48 credits), they should begin planning their capstone project. The capstone project is typically completed in their last year of study. Students must sign up for at least 2 units of special studies with their faculty capstone supervisor who is typically the advisor. In choosing a capstone topic, students in the part-time/Internet-based program may wish to consider projects that are relevant to their employment. A written and oral requirement must be satisfied as described above. The oral requirement can be satisfied by participation in the May symposium. Other venues for oral presentation will also be made available to part-time/Internet-based MPH students who could not attend the symposium including "LiveTalk" to be held in January and May. Students may also give an oral presentation on their capstone work at a professional meeting or at a department seminar approved by their MPH capstone supervisor. In order to have the onsite/online symposium participation requirement waived, the student must submit a signed letter from their capstone supervisor attesting to the fact that an oral requirement has been met in an alternative venue within 7 days after giving the presentation. Logistics for signing up for the MPH Capstone Special Studies The MPH capstone special studies course numbers are xxx.800. The 3-digit prefix number is determined by the primary department of your faculty capstone supervisor (check with the course catalog and your advisor). You can determine the department affiliation of any faculty in the School by going to the Faculty Directory website. If your capstone supervisor does not have a primary appointment in the School of Public Health, but has a joint appointment in a SPH department, then use that department affiliation. If no joint appointment or outside JHU, then use your advisor's department. If you are still uncertain, check with the MPH Program office. MPH students typically register for one capstone credit each in the two terms immediately preceding completion of the project [examples: 1 credit each in 3rd and 4th terms if presenting in May, or 1 credit each in 1st and 2nd terms if presenting in January]. If you plan to complete more than two capstone special studies credits, please discuss this with your capstone supervisor and academic coordinator prior to registering. Using a course project as a MPH capstone project Some courses in the School of Public Health require projects that could also serve as a basis for a MPH capstone project. Students may use their work from any project-oriented course as a starting basis for their capstone, but must build and expand on it for the final capstone project. Building on a project from a course may be helpful to some students because it provides additional structure and support. If a project from a course is used as a starting point for the capstone, that previous work must be placed in the list of references and the advisor will need a copy of the student's original paper. There are numerous courses in School that are project oriented which could serve as a starting point for the capstone. Some examples include: (180.611) The Global Environment and Public Health and (380.671) Adolescent Pregnancy -- Causes, Consequences, Interventions. Students are still required to register for the special studies units as described previously (2 units). IRB Information Guide - Getting approval from the Committee on Human Research for a MPH capstone Sometimes you do need approval of the Committee on Human Research (CHR). It depends on the capstone project. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office has prepared an IRB Information Guide to help you determine if your project involves research and can be viewed by clicking here. The final paper must be approved by the capstone supervisor for all students. The student must submit a copy of the paper along with a signed approval letter by the capstone supervisor to the MPH Program office. Click here for a prototype of the approval letter. Submit a hard copy of your paper and approval letter signed by your capstone supervisor to the MPH Program office (Room W1015, Wolfe Street building, fax: 410-955-4749, or email: mphprog@jhsph.edu). The final paper and approval letter must arrive at the MPH Program office before 5pm, April 29, 2009 in order to graduate in May. Honors and AwardsThe MPH Program office will be awarding special honors to the best overall capstone projects. Nominations are accepted from capstone faculty supervisors. The winners will be selected by an awards committee based on the written project. The capstone award includes a plaque for excellence in public health professional practice. The student with the single overall best capstone project will receive a $500 award as well. Examples of Capstone Experience Projects from Previous Years If you need help, you should first consult with your advisor and\or your capstone supervisor. During 4th term we will also have teaching assistants with whom you can consult on such issues as data analysis, content, and whom will generally help you think through your project. The teaching assistant hours will be posted. The Welch Medical Library offers various writing forums and classes. Summary of Steps to Complete the Capstone Requirement
Key Dates for Capstone Completion
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