Capstone Experience
A task force on research from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (AACP) concluded that the completion of a Capstone research project encourages students to pursue additional postgraduate opportunities and is a successful strategy for delivering research content. The UTEP SOP Capstone experience is a 4-semester research experience occurring during the P2 and P3 year of Pharm. D. curriculum and was developed to expose students to research content and encourage them to consider research-focused postgraduate opportunities. In addition to a didactic component, students will work directly with faculty to conduct hands on research. Faculty are encouraged to assign introductory research projects with a high likelihood of success and maximizing student opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skillsets in alignment with CAPE outcomes and with UTEP Edge High Impact Practices. The UTEP SOP Capstone experiences at the UTEP SOP are organized into four research “pillars” (research areas): Clinical Practice; Pharmaceutical and Basic Sciences; Social, Administrative, and Public Health; and Teaching and Learning. Faculty are highly encouraged to meet and collaborate with projects and/or meet as Research Pillars to provide mentorship, support, alignment across student projects, and quality control. The goal of the UTEP SOP Capstone research experience is to equip our Pharm. D. students with enhanced scientific writing skills, increase the likelihood of postgraduate training and faculty appointment, and improved clinical outcomes.
