Required Capstone Experience

To graduate, students must complete a capstone experience - either an internship, capstone project or research project. A capstone experience is one that integrates HSS major studies, and extends, critiques and applies knowledge gained throughout the program. Students typically complete the capstone experience in the final semester before graduation. Please watch this 5-minute video about the capstone experience options.

Internship in healthcare services (HSV 4900)

Students completing an HSS internship integrate and apply their knowledge and abilities, as well as hone skills in preparation for employment or graduate study in a healthcare or health-related organization. 

In the semester prior to the internship, students meet with the internship coordinator or graduate assistant to establish an appropriate, supervised placement that will further their education and professional objectives. Students will then be given a list of recommended internship sites. Over several months, the HSS program staff will work with the student to be sure an affiliation agreement is in place and a supervisor is identified. A minimum of 200 clock hours is required for internships. An asynchronous online class accompanies the internship placement (HSV 4900). 

Background check information

Some sites require pre-internship testing. Students may be responsible for paying for these tests. To process your self-initiated background check, review the background check information and instructions.

Internship requirements 

1. Students must notify the internship coordinator, Janet Hahn, @email and the graduate assistant, @email approximately one year ahead of the term they plan to complete their capstone experience. Then, the student will be invited to complete their informational application in the Exxat Prism system.
2. After the application is received, the student will meet with the internship coordinator or graduate assistant to establish an appropriate, supervised placement that will further their education and professional objectives.
3. Students must enroll in HSV 4900 (3 credits) and attend the internship seminar.
4. Students engaged in an internship must give evidence of having health insurance at the time of course enrollment.
5. WMU provides liability insurance coverage through a fee assessed at the time of enrollment in HSV 4900.
6. Students must have the minimum of a 2.5 GPA to enroll in HSV 4900 and to complete an internship. If a student misses the minimum GPA, the student will be given one semester to achieve the 2.5 before taking the course. If a student is unable to achieve the 2.5 GPA in one semester, the student will be dismissed from the program barring hardship circumstances. If there are hardship circumstances, the internship coordinator, the program coordinator and the director of the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs will review the case.

Students who are registered, certified or licensed healthcare professional, may pursue a clinical experience IF it exposes the student to the development of new skills, or is in a situation outside their usual employment.

 CAPSTONE PROJECT (HSV 4895)

The capstone project provides students an opportunity to design and complete a project in health services. Only students who have completed at least one year of employment at a healthcare or health-related organization and have successfully applied for this option may select it. Students must complete a capstone experience application following the date guidelines for all capstone experiences. Students complete the pre-planned project over one semester, usually at their current place of healthcare employment. This is typically the student's final semester of his/her undergraduate career. Students apply to the Capstone Project with the same Capstone Experience Application used for internships.

• The capstone project requires the student to conceive, plan and implement a special project in an area within the scope of healthcare services and sciences. Students usually work on this project at their place of employment unless approved by the internship coordinator.
• Capstone projects may take many different forms. Some examples are: patient satisfaction surveys in an applied setting, a written health literacy project, analysis of a health informatics system, clinical review of a therapeutic intervention, implementation of a quality improvement project, development of a patient manual or an educational program.
• Students will work under the supervision of an HSS capstone project instructor as well as in cooperation with their on-site supervisor.
• Students must enroll in HSV 4895 (3 credits).
• Enrollment in the capstone project course requires departmental approval from the HSS internship coordinator.
• If you have at least one year of healthcare experience and desire to take the capstone project course, you must complete the same capstone experience application as all other students. This is through the Exxat Prism system after being invited based on your communication with program staff. The internship coordinator or graduate assistant will then discuss options with you after your application is complete.
• Students must have the minimum of a 2.5 GPA to enroll in HSV 4895 to complete a capstone project. If a student misses the minimum GPA, the student will be given one semester to achieve the 2.5 GPA before taking the course. If the student is unable to achieve the 2.5 GPA in one semester, the student will be dismissed from the program barring hardship circumstances. If there are hardship circumstances, the internship coordinator, the program coordinator and the director of the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs will review the case.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (HSV 4890)

Restricted to certified, licensed or registered health providers, this course requires the completion of a student-created research project related to a current issue in health and human services. The student must complete a capstone experience application following the date guidelines for all capstone experiences. 

The project must conform to the following standards:

Independent research standards:

1. The student must select a research committee consisting of 1) a faculty mentor knowledgeable in the field of inquiry, and 2) a reader who will also act as a resource person (the resource person may work outside of the University).
2. The internship coordinator must approve the research project before the student can commit to this capstone option.
3. Students must document their research project in a paper written in the professional or academic style appropriate to the discipline and presented in a public forum approved by the internship coordinator.

Students must have the minimum of a 2.5 GPA to enroll in HSV 4890 and conduct independent research. If a student misses the minimum GPA, the student will be given one semester to achieve the 2.5 GPA before taking the course. If the student is unable to achieve the 2.5 GPA in one semester, the student will be dismissed from the program barring hardship circumstances. If there are hardship circumstances, the internship coordinator, the program coordinator and the director of the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs will review the case.

Notification and Application Deadlines

Students must notify the internship coordinator (janet.hahn@wmich.edu) and graduate assistant (ihs-ga1@wmich.edu). They will then be invited to complete the application in the Exxat Prism system. This application addresses career interests, experience, and prerequisites.

Notification and applications are due six to seven months prior to the semester or session in which the student wants to complete the internship, capstone project, or independent research. Late applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Spring Semester Notifications are due June 1 of the previous year.

Summer I Session Notifications are due December 1 of the previous year.

Fall Semester Notifications are due March 1 of the same year.

After notifying the program of the planned semester or session for the capstone experience, the student will be invited to complete an application in the Exxat Prism system. The application must be completed by the 15th of the notification month.

Spring Semester Exxat Prism Applications are due June 15 of the previous year.

Summer I Session Exxat Prism Applications are due December 15 of the previous year.

Fall Semester Exxat Prisme Applications are due March 15 of the same year.