During the capstone field-based experience, students will have the opportunity to synthesize and apply what they learned throughout the program. The course combines traditional online course work with a field-based experience, providing students with direct exposure to the field of health care management. Under the guidance of a project supervisor, students complete a project that benefits the community organization selected.

Students may suggest qualified experiences, and UNH-CPS encourages students to make such inquiries when a potential host partner, or partner site supervisor is known to the student. Some students may also wish to complete the project in the organization where they are employed. However, all capstone work must be accomplished outside the framework of normal work duties and responsibilities in an effort not to duplicate professional practice experiences. Finally, students may propose an independent scholarly project whereby they conduct a healthcare-related project directed by a faculty advisor.

The field placement coordinator (Program Director) will work with the student to finalize arrangements with a self-selected partner, or in developing an independent scholarly project. Site placement is viewed as a joint responsibility between the site placement coordinator, faculty, and the student. Graduate faculty have the final responsibility for determining the appropriateness of sites for field-based experiences.

The completed project will not only demonstrate the breadth and depth of knowledge, ability, and skill, but it may also allow opportunities to show current or prospective employers how your acquired skills might be utilized in the workplace. This is your opportunity to showcase your abilities. Therefore, you will want to give careful consideration to the project you will complete. This chapter is intended to guide the capstone process.

Roles and Expectations

The following guidelines outline the roles and responsibilities of capstone participants  

Field Placement Coordinator Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coordinate student/site supervisor/site agreements or contracts
• Evaluate and approve the field-based project and site supervisor for appropriateness of learning experiences
• Determine health and other field placement requirements
• Determine whether an IRB review proposal will be required
• Determine SARA status (non-New Hampshire)
• Provide necessary preparations to partner site supervisor as needed

Course Instructor / Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

• Confirm the timeline for student deliverables and assessment
• Establish a process for communication with the partner site supervisor as needed
• Evaluate and provide feedback on course content, project evaluations, and assignments as outlined in the capstone course.
• Communicate with the field placement coordinator to discuss placements, ensure appropriate feedback, and address issues related to the field experience and course.
• Maintain confidentiality related to patient-identifiable healthcare information (See Student Responsibilities)

Partner Site Supervisor Responsibilities

• Assist in the facilitation of legal and contractual documents (when applicable)
• Facilitate the completion and submission of the Capstone Project Charter to the Field Placement Coordinator
• Oversees the student in areas of expertise relative to the student’s capstone project and provides guidance, direction, advice, and leadership for the student. This can occur via telephone, web conferencing, or in-person
• Oversees the student in areas of expertise relative to the student’s capstone project and provides guidance, direction, advice, and leadership for the student. This can occur via telephone, web conferencing, or in-person
• Participate in communication with the student, field placement coordinator, and instructor to discuss the student’s progress and needs (as needed)
• Consult with the field placement coordinator to discuss issues that may arise during the field experience

Student Responsibilities

• Complete all key documents requiring signatures (Student Risk Waiver and Liability Release form, Confidentiality Agreements, etc.) prior to beginning the capstone field-based experience
• Establish a mutually agreeable meeting schedule with the partner site supervisor.
• Fulfill all agency requirements prior to starting the field experience
• Follow policies and procedures established at the host partner agency
• Participate in a teleconference with the site supervisor and field placement coordinator or course faculty to discuss progress, problems, and learning needs. Students must provide regular project progress to both the site supervisor and faculty
• Complete and submit the site evaluation and self-assessment at the end of the course.
• Maintain confidentiality while communicating data, plans, and results in a manner that preserves the privacy of the client.
• Only use your UNH email, which is encrypted, to protect the materials provided by the sponsoring agency. No materials will be archived or transmitted on personal storage locations or email servers.
• When recording and reporting data, the student will remove any patient identifiable healthcare information, identified as “Limited Data Sets”. Under HIPAA rules (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2017), a limited data set cannot contain the following information:
  • o Name
  • o street or postal address, except for town/city, state, and zip code
  • o Phone/fax numbers
  • o Social security numbers
  • o Medical record numbers
  • o Health plan beneficiary numbers
  • o Other account numbers
  • o Certificate or license numbers
  • o Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers, including license plates
  • o Devise identifiers and serial numbers
  • o URL’s and IP addresses
  • o Biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, retinal scans and voice prints
  • o Full face photos and comparable images
• Adhere to the ACHE Code of Ethics

The Project Proposal:

The project charter is not graded.

Submit a completed MS Health Care Management Capstone Project Charter that details the aim and anticipated end result of the project, identification, and purpose of the host organization, and other information deemed pertinent by the host organization. See the syllabus for additional details.

Also, include the projected timeline (see the syllabus for details). You may use Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or any other timeline template you wish. Here is a link to the project Timeline templates from Microsoft Office. Or, use the timeline template set by the host agency.