Culminating Experience Guidelines

The culminating experience is loosely analgous to SPHTM's previous “capstone” requirement.

The MD/MPH degree curriculum requires the completion of a culminating experience.  A culminating experience integrates and applies knowledge and skills acquired through MPH course work and produces a product (such as a thesis, paper, comprehensive exam, etc.).

Students plan this aspect of their studies with their SPHTM advisors.  Each department may offer several different ways to fulfill the culminating experience, and students must meet their department’s requirements.  Students are advised to meet with their academic advisors early in the program of study to determine the culminating experience available to them.  Students typically do not receive academic credit hours for the culminating experience.  Some previous "capstone" options such as classes may no longer be options for completing the "culminating experience."  Verify current options with your SPHTM advisor.

For their culminating experiences, students may wish to draw upon the service learning experiences they completed during Foundations in Medicine—and first-year students who are planning their service learning projects for Foundations in Medicine are encouraged to consider a project that can be expanded, in the long run, into an SPH culminating experience.  Students should contact the director of Foundations in Medicine (504.988.5503) for more details.  Students should meet with their SPHTM advisors for review and approval of integrating service learning and the public health culminating experience.

Registration:
Work with your advisor to complete all appropriate forms and to register for the appropriate section.  In general, students should register through TOUR for SPHL 795 "Culminating Experience" during the semester they are completing their culminating experience.

Work Product:
1. Under the direction of the MD/MPH public health advisor, identify a culminating experience project and submit a proposal that meets departmental guidelines for both the experience, and the documentation (such as planning forms, completion forms, interim updates, etc.)

2. Submit the final product.  Meet with your advisor regularly as you complete your culminating experience so that you can meet departmental expectations.

3. Deadlines are established at the discretion of the department.