Student Experience Projects

Important: Information Session for Student Projects for Fall 2021

Fall 2021 APE and ILE Orientation Materials

Applied Practice Experience Information

Two (2) capstone courses are required as part of the forty-two (42)* semester credit hour MPH curriculum. The first is the Applied Practice Experience, requiring a minimum of 200 clock hours of work in a public health-related activity, under the joint supervision of a qualified specialist in public health practice and a COPH faculty member.

A minimum of five core courses +6 semester hours of concentration coursework must be completed before beginning your field experience.

NOTE: The applied practice experience can be completed at your current workplace but CANNOT be a direct extension of the student’s commitment to his/her current place of employment.

Integrative Learning Experience Project Information

An integrative learning experience project that requires the students to synthesize and integrate knowledge and apply theory and principles learned to an area of public health practice resulting in either preparations of a manuscript for publication or of a research proposal for submission. Work undertaken to complete the Integrative Learning Experience Project should be done within the semester that the student registers for Integrative Learning Experience Project hours. Students are required to register for, participate in, and successfully complete the Integrative Learning Experience Seminar during their first semester of work on their project. Public presentations of Integrative Learning Experience Projects are required in order to complete the Integrative Learning Experience Project and receive a pass/fail grade for the course. (Requires approval of Integrative Learning Experience Project Advisory Committee.)

The MPH Integrative Learning Experience Seminar is designed to provide information and support to students who are completing their MPH Integrative Learning Experience Projects, and to provide a forum in which students may present their completed projects. The seminar will provide students with an opportunity to learn about other students’ projects and activities, to share ideas with students and faculty about resources that can support their projects, to increase their knowledge of current issues facing public health professionals, and to gain experience in professional presentation skills.

Students may be granted credit for the MPH Integrative Learning Experience Seminar (COPH 5991) by providing proof of passing the National Board of Public Health Examiners’ CPH exam, thus demonstrating competence in MPH core and cross-cutting competencies.

NOTE: Students are required to register for both the Project and the Seminar during 1st semester of their Integrative Learning Experience Project.

Product Examples

MHA Capstone and Residency

The summer administrative residency involves up to three (3) months of paid, full-time work in a health institution or agency and provides practical experience with the theories, concepts, and administrative skills learned in the first academic year (twenty-four (24) semester credit hours). The management project requires analysis of a major ongoing administrative problem defined by the chief executive officer of a health institution or agency. Both courses are held during the summer. Full-time students usually enroll in the residency, and part-time students and students with extensive health systems work experience usually choose to do the management project. The program is designed for completion in two (2) years full time or three-and-one-half (3.5) years part time.

MS Thesis

Each master’s student in the Healthcare Data Analytics program will independently conduct a thesis research project under the guidance of an academic mentor. The thesis is an opportunity for students to apply the analytics knowledge gained through the program’s coursework, and to answer a relevant health-related research question. The thesis allows master’s students to demonstrate their ability to independently prepare data, apply appropriate analytic approaches, and prepare a high-quality written product.

M.S. students typically begin their thesis research projects after completion of their core coursework (24 hours), and at least one elective course (3 hours). We recommend, however, that students begin thinking about their thesis topics well in advance of the intended thesis start date. For guidelines and specific requirements, please see the M.S. in Healthcare Data Analytics Thesis Manual.

MS Thesis Manual

MS Thesis Registration Packet

MS Thesis Evaluation Form

DrPH Practicum and Capstone

The Doctoral Practicum consists of 270 hours of field experience under the joint direction of a COPH faculty member and a practicing professional with leadership experience in a public health institution. A written report specifying activities, potential products, and outcomes of the experience is required upon completion of the practicum. Prerequisites: Doctoral student standing in the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health; completion of public health science core courses; completion of COPH 6303: Community-Based Public Health Program Design/Evaluation (I) and (2); or permission of the DrPH Faculty Leadership Chair.

The Doctoral Capstone Project is a culminating experience that requires the student to synthesize and integrate knowledge by applying learned theories and principles to an area of public health practice relevant to the health needs of Arkansans. A written product must be submitted and must take the form of a dissertation, “n” manuscript (s) that is/are suitable for publication in a national-level public health journal (s), a technical report with supplemental materials if applicable accompanied by a grant proposal, case study (ies) from initiation to completion/ethnography and/or other similar scholarly document approved of by the DrPH Faculty Leadership Chair and/or selected faculty advisor (s). The written product must be presented and successfully defended. Prerequisites: COPH 6989: Doctoral Practicum