Students interested in solving problems in community health, health services, or health policy, may want to supplement their training with the capstone certificate in Implementation Science and Community Health Outcomes.

Current research investments reflect an emphasis on research that looks for ways to translate what has been learned in controlled settings into positive outcomes in clinical practice and community health. This research requires the ability to:

• consider multiple factors that interact to influence a community or organization;
• form and manage research partnerships with communities and organizations;
• evaluate whether a health intervention or prevention method works or will be used; and
• articulate policy implications of health issues and interventions.

This capstone certificate focuses on the development of these skills.

Depending on a student's course load, requirements can be completed in two to three years. All courses are face-to-face and taught on the UW–Madison campus during weekdays.

Further details, including tuition and costs, are available at the Clinical & Community Outcomes Research website or by contacting the institute that hosts the program:

Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
University of Wisconsin–Madison
2112 Health Sciences Learning Center
750 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705
info@ictr.wisc.edu
608-263-1018

How to Get in

Admissions

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree and not be currently enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program.

Note: This capstone certificate is not a full-time program and therefore cannot admit international students needing an F–1 or J–1 visa.

Application Steps

A complete application includes the following:

1. An online application for admission as a University Special student. On your application, select UNCS Capstone Certificate and the program: Implementation Science and Community Health Outcomes. This application is received and processed by Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS). The final admission decision is made by the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. 
2. Submission of the following materials to the capstone certificate program coordinator: Graduate Program Coordinator, Deidre Vincevineus, 750 Highland Ave., University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, studentinquiry@ictr.wisc.edu:
   1. The fillable downloadable program application form;
   2. A photocopy of official transcripts from each college attended;
   3. A CV or resume; and
   4. If English is not your native language or your undergraduate instruction was not in English, please send  your official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). An admitted Capstone applicant must have a TOEFL (paper-based) test score above 580; TOEFL computer-based test (CBT) score above 237; or MELAB score above 82.

Notification of admission to the capstone certificate program:

Within three weeks after submitting a complete application, the applicant receives notice of the admission decision. Questions regarding the status of the application should be directed to the certificate program coordinator: Graduate Program Coordinator, Deidre Vincevineus at studentinquiry@ictr.wisc.edu.

Enrollment

Upon admission, the Certificate Faculty Advisory Committee reviews the student's stated research interests and recommends an advisor. At a meeting with the advisor, the program curriculum will be developed in relation to the student's learning and career objectives. 

Requirements

¹

The certificate advisor can help students choose courses that qualify as fulfilling the two elective areas:  (1) Working with Communities and (2) Qualitative Research Methods Relevant to Translational and Outcomes Research. For criteria and procedures, see the handbook on the program website.

²

This course can only be taken by students in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

³

Students work with their certificate advisor to develop an appropriate project. Students will enroll in an independent study course to complete the project (i.e., FAM MED 699, KINES 699, SOC WORK 799, OBS&GYN 699, NURSING 999, or I SY E 699).

⁴

Students will sign up for 2 credits.

⁵

Students will sign up for 1 credit. Permission to enroll required.

⁶

Students enroll in 1 credit of independent study with their certificate advisor. For details about the Presentation/Video Option for the seminar, contact the certificate coordinator.

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
• Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Individual Capstone Certificate programs may have additional requirements for completion, which will be listed above as/if applicable.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop a research question about a health concern of an actual community.
2. Select an evidence‐based approach to addressing the health concern.
3. Involve investigators from two or more disciplines and/or stakeholders from two or more sectors as partners in the project.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of collaboration skills for sustainable partnerships, e.g., benefits to the community partner(s) are built into the project; evidence of partner input to project design.
5. Employ data gathering and analysis methods that respect community partners' organizational culture, values, staffing, and work flow.