Student Research and Fieldwork


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The UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) requires students to complete research and/or field-based projects for their degrees. Final projects vary depending upon the program and are dissertations, theses, practicum projects, and/or capstone projects.

Dissertations

Doctoral students are required to write a dissertation that significantly advances the state of knowledge in their chosen field. As part of their course requirements and dissertation requirements, students are also required to publish research findings.

Programs and Degrees

Dissertations, along with theses from health services graduate students, are available in the UW Library’s research archives.

Dissertations

Ph.D. Publications

Theses

A thesis is an original research project that generates new knowledge using rigorous methods appropriate to the research questions, while also applying concepts and methods from one or more branches of science relevant to public health.

Programs and Degrees

Theses, along with dissertations from health services students, are available in the UW Library’s research archives.

Theses

Practicum Projects

A practicum project allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a public health setting, while they enhance their skills in areas such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. The practicum is also an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience in their particular area of interest in public health.

Project examples are on the individual program websites.

Capstone Projects

A capstone project is a culminating scholarly project usually conducted for, or on behalf of, an organization, constituency, or community.

Capstone projects are designed to give students meaningful hands-on experience working on real-world health policy or health administration challenges.

Project examples are on the individual program websites.

Student Research and Fieldwork

These are a few stories about HSPop student research and fieldwork.

  • The urgent need for gender-affirming care amid rising bans

    The urgent need for gender-affirming care amid rising bans

    Gender-affirming care bans are creating a mental health crisis for transgender youth, as highlighted by a new literature review from the University of Washington School of Public Health.

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  • The legacy of redlining in America: Shanise Owens reveals health, wealth impacts in new study

    The legacy of redlining in America: Shanise Owens reveals health, wealth impacts in new study

    Recent Health Services PhD graduate Shanise Owens discusses her thesis, which digs into the lingering impacts of redlining on generational wealth and BMI.

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  • Four 2024 graduates earn Health Services PhD

    Four 2024 graduates earn Health Services PhD

    With varying research interests and professional backgrounds, the recent alumni are connected by a shared passion for advancing equity in public health.

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