The Capstone Integrative Learning Experience (CILE) is an integrated experience of the MPH program. It allows students to apply and synthesize the concepts, knowledge, and skills gained throughout their studies to demonstrate public health competence.
In the first term, students are also enrolled in PUBH831: Concepts, Practice and Leadership in Public Health, where they must identify a public health issue to explore in depth, choose a CILE product, and prepare an introduction to that public health topic. During this process, students will work closely with their Faculty Advisor, who also serves as their CILE Advisor, for ongoing support and guidance throughout the CILE process. Students will also have to complete 5 Writing Tools Modules that support this writing process.
The CILE experience continues in PUBH832: Public Health Research Methods and Ethics, where students develop the methods and draft results and discussion of the selected topic. Students will also complete 5 additional Writing Tools Modules designed to enhance academic writing skills.
Students are enrolled in the Capstone Portfolio Tracker for the duration of the MPH program. This enables students to track their CILE deliverables and feedback through each semester.
CILE culminates in PUBH893: Capstone Integrative Learning Experience, where students complete and submit their final paper and oral presentation. Students should only register for PUBH893 after completing PUBH831 and PUBH832, prerequisites for PUBH 893.
A draft of the final paper must be submitted before 50% of the term has elapsed. This submission confirms the students’ readiness to complete the course. Failure to submit the draft results in ineligibility to continue in PUBH893, and the student must pursue one of the following options:
- Apply for a Leave of Absence
- Withdraw from the Program
The final CILE product and presentation must meet the scholarly standards of the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPHPM), including addressing the program’s foundational and track-specific competencies.