1. Identify a Clinical Mentor

Click here to see a list of possible mentors in the area, or use your own local contacts (advisors, professors, professionals you know personally, etc) to find a clinician or other appropriate professional who may be willing to mentor you. we recommend beginning this step midway through the semester before the semester during which you plan to complete your Clinical Capstone.

2. Work with your clinical mentor to formulate a shadowing experience.

You must, with your mentor, write a short description of the duties, responsibilities, and opportunities of your Shadowing Capstone. This description should make it clear to a reader exactly what activities you will be involved in. Details of the activities themselves are not necessary at this time.

3. Complete the project proposal online form.

The form can be found by clicking here, or under "Forms" to the right. Enter the project description that you developed in step 2, and all requested information about you and your Clinical Mentor.

4. Receive preliminary approval, and complete paperwork for final approval.

If your project receives preliminary approval, you must follow the instructions in the email you will receive to complete the approval process. To obtain full approval, you and your Mentor will need to complete the Clinical Mentor's agreement form (click here or find it under "Forms" to the right), and the notice of preliminary approval, which you will receive with the preliminary approval email.

4a. Approval withheld.

If your project does not receive approval, you will receive an email outlining the changes required. You must address these shortcomings and resubmit your project for approval.

5. Deliver Clinical Mentor's evaluation form.

Should be completed at the same time as step 4. Deliver a copy, either by email or on paper, of the form your Clinical Mentor will use to evaluate your Clinical Capstone. The form can be found by clicking here, or under "forms" to the right. This form will be the basis of 50% of your grade.

6. Return signed Mentor's Agreement and notice of preliminary approval.

BEFORE the first day of classis in the semester during which you plan to complete your Capstone, the signed forms must be returned to Dr. Mallory in the Biological Sciences office (Science room 350). At that time, you will receive final approval and permission to enroll in the course.

7. Complete your project.

Complete at least 90 hours of shadowing work, keeping a log as you go to use as the basis for your final written report.

8. Complete and submit your final written report.

The final report is worth 50% of your Capstone grade. Instructions for completing it can be found by clicking here, or under "Forms" to the right. The final report is due in the Biological Sciences office (Science 350) BEFORE the beginning of exam week in the semester during which the Shadowing Capstone is performed.