Capstone Projects

About

The final project is a key element of the Master of Health and the Public Interest program, as it provides valuable work experience and opportunities for jobs after graduation. Students typically conduct the capstone research project (3 credits) over the summer. Either participating faculty or students, following faculty approval, can arrange the capstone project. Students have the option of working on a research study or health services project with a Georgetown or outside mentor, or working with an advocacy group, NGO, state or federal agency, international health organization, social science project, or epidemiological research program.

Requirements

The capstone can be an internship, a lab experience, or a mentored, independent study project. Most students working with a researcher participate in ongoing faculty-driven research. Historically, some have completed an independent project, focusing only on projects that can be completed during the summer (e.g., a re-analysis of existing or publicly available data, or an analysis of publicly observable behavior or health messages that would not require IRB approval).

Research opportunities abound at Georgetown and elsewhere, and we can place Capstone students in meaningful research-based internships. We have many options for capstone projects at Georgetown, including a variety of social science approaches, including psychology, sociology, and anthropology. For example, Dr. Yulia Chentsova has a project examining students’ sense of belonging and wellbeing, comparing minority and majority students from a variety of backgrounds. Dr. Fugh-Berman has a project that examines linguistic differences between industry-funded and non-industry-funded clinical trials and another that examines prescribers’ beliefs about therapeutic choices.

Evaluation Process

The primary mentor evaluates capstone projects through an assessment. This assessment is based on progress reports and a final report. For students working primarily with a non-Georgetown mentor, there is an assessment by the assigned Georgetown mentor. and at the end of the capstone, both the external faculty and the student evaluate the experience. The faculty committee gives the final grade for the capstone, taking the paper or report and the external advisor’s evaluation form into consideration. A faculty committee evaluates external capstone proposals, mentors, and sites. Criteria for external mentors include research experience and experience mentoring students.

Objectives

• Developing practical skills: Students may accomplish this project through immersive involvement with a research team; an internship with a government agency or a non-governmental organization, or through a closely monitored independent investigative project.
• Integrating knowledge gained in the program into a workplace environment.
• Honing writing and communication skills: Students will be required to write a final report of their experiences and will be provided an opportunity to present their experiences to the program.

Past Projects