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Capstone Project

To complete the MSHS program, students spend 12 months applying classroom theory to the subject of their choosing and produce a presentation about the experience.

Educational Objectives


  • Demonstrate proficiency in applying health systems system (HSS) academic theory into pragmatic, applied problem-solving
  • Appreciate how HSS requires team science, shared decision-making among diverse stakeholders and strong interpersonal communication skills
  • Utilize scientific method to solve HSS problems including hypothesis generation, literature search and approaches to quantization, and presentation of results to leadership
  • Become proficient in oral and written communication of HSS analyses and results, learning how to tell a story with data in a way that engages stakeholders and ultimately leads to improved healthcare

Additional field-based credits from the capstone program accrue over the final 12 months of the 20-month MSHS program. The capstone project may be conducted on campus at Cedars-Sinai or in other approved healthcare organizations.

Students work on their capstone project on a schedule agreed upon with their primary mentor. Journal clubs, mentorship meetings and other program events may occur during typical work hours and are available via web conferencing for off-site students.

The MSHS faculty believes it is vital to expose students to a wide range of learning experiences; success in health systems science requires not only a strong theoretical basis but also pragmatic experiential learning to solidify classroom theory.

Capstone Project: Series Overview


The HSS 204 series includes four lockstep courses that build upon one another and culminate in completion of the capstone, delivery of a final written report and oral presentation of the report to Cedars-Sinai leaders. The sequence is as follows:

Group of people meeting in an office.
HSS 204A

Students attend a biweekly seminar in healthcare leadership, where they develop a framework to assume a leadership role in the capstone project as a model for leadership in future organizations. The seminar series consists of highly engaging, interactive didactic sessions that promote discussion and learner engagement. During each session, leaders from diverse areas of the organization share their experience and expertise. Additionally, students prepare presentations based on assigned reading materials, which are followed by interactive discussions about leadership and personal development.


Large group of people in a meeting room.
HSS 204B

Project identification and literature review. Students will work with their mentor and an assigned peer-partner to identify an area of opportunity within a healthcare organization that they wish to analyze for their capstone project. They will also perform a literature search to familiarize themselves with the subject. The course culminates in a formal work-in-progress presentation to the course directors and other students.


A man and woman using a laptop.
HSS 204C

Stakeholder analysis and development of quantitative analysis plan. Students will identify relevant stakeholders for their project and will perform stakeholder interviews. Students will also develop a plan for the quantitative analysis they will perform during the final step of their capstone project. The course culminates in a formal work-in-progress presentation to the course directors and other students.


Woman writing in her notebook.
HSS 204D

Capstone Project Examples


Students at Cedars-Sinai have access to hundreds of potential capstone projects throughout the health system. Examples of recent student projects include:

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions or wish to learn more about the MSHS program, please contact:

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
8687 Melrose Ave.
Suite G-532
West Hollywood, CA 90069