Community-engaged scholarship: It’s what we do. It’s who we are. The master’s capstone is a year-long critical (i.e., explicitly focused on social justice) service-learning course that gives our students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first year of the program by working in teams partnered with community-based organizations to address real-world public health problems.
Capstone
- Increases our students’ and partner organizations’ capacity to address social determinants of health and advance health equity.
- Creates new and/or improved public health policies, programs, services, and resources.
- Enhances student preparedness and marketability for public health careers.
- Strengthens campus/community partnerships.
We focus equally on the service and the learning aspects of the experience. Class sessions are an opportunity for students to prepare for, reflect on, share and receive feedback about their capstone experiences.
How to Apply for a Team
- Review the Capstone Overview document (PDF) in full.
- Contact mphcapstone@unc.edu to schedule a meeting with a member of the Capstone teaching team to discuss your project ideas and receive tips on the Capstone project proposal process. Meetings with the teaching team should take place by January 31, 2024.
- Fill out this form (docx). Please save your completed proposal as a Microsoft Word document using the following naming convention: Organization Name_Capstone Proposal 2024-2025.
- Collect a letter of support from your organization’s leadership. The letter of support should explain how the Capstone project goal will enhance your organization’s mission; demonstrate commitment to the resources and support (including staff time) needed to carry out the project work; and outline a contingency plan if the preceptor is no longer able to carry out the roles and responsibilities of that position.
- Email your completed proposal form and a letter of support to mphcapstone@unc.edu by using “Organization Name_Capstone Proposal 2024-2025” as the subject heading 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2024.
