Master of Science in Healthcare Research

Practicum Intensive

Experiential learning is instrumental to the Dartmouth experience. Two culminating electives allow MS students the opportunity to develop and pursue their individual interests in improving health and health care.

Students in good academic standing can pursue an independent research project (integrative learning experience) and/or an independent internship (applied practice experience) through the Practicum Intensive. Students develop and execute their own individual projects with faculty support, focusing on a specific problem area or question. Students employ systems thinking, qualitative and quantitative methods, and effective inquiry to develop actionable insights and feasible recommendations about their site.

Throughout both electives, students produce an academic product (e.g., publishable paper, policy white paper, grant proposal) which they present to faculty and classmates. During these presentations, students learn from each other about a diverse array of public and population health sites and help each other improve their recommendations before presenting to their on-site preceptors. Skills gained during the practicum enable students to develop or refine policy, generate new knowledge in a real-world setting, and, ultimately, improve health and healthcare. The practicum electives are optional enrichment opportunities for MS students.