Capstone (3 credit hours)
Course Description
The Clinton School's capstone program is designed to provide students an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills that have been gained from their core and elective courses, plus earlier public service projects in the Practicum and international experience, into a new and more in-depth focus on those professional skills that will be needed in their field of future practice and/or specialization. Specifically, the project should tap the knowledge, analytic abilities, writing and presentation skills, and the insights students have acquired through study, observation, and involvement in public service.
The Capstone course will be carried out by completing a public service project that builds on the student's cumulative knowledge as gained from these earlier experiences. The course is intended only for students who are completing their Master of Public Service degree program and is an alternate to comprehensive examinations or a research thesis.
Prerequisites
Students should successfully have completed all UACS core courses, including the Practicum and International Public Service Project, prior to beginning the Capstone.
Course Objectives
- Demonstrate the knowledge gained through the MPS program and apply that knowledge to a relevant public service project
- Produce a report that demonstrates critical thought, exhibits a level of analysis appropriate to a masters degree, and displays a high level of professionalism and competence in presentation
- Demonstrate proficiency in public, non-profit, or for-profit public service
- Assess the effectiveness of the MPS program in achieving its mission, goals and objectives
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Possible project approaches might include:
- Case study
- Action research
- Program evaluation
- Management analysis
- Policy analysis
- Work process analysis/process improvement
- Organizational analysis
- Strategic plan in economic/social/political development
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Possible project techniques/methodologies might include:
- Surveys
- Content analysis
- Interviewing
- Cost/benefit analysis
- Focus groups
- Performance measurement
- Forecasting
- Observation
- Quantitative/qualitative data analysis
- Teaching Methodology
This course employs an independent studies format. Generally students will work one-on-one with an assigned faculty member. Students will submit assignments and drafts directly to their assigned faculty member in accordance with the process outlined below.
At the end of the second semester of the first year, prior to the summer international project, each student will submit a concept proposal for a capstone project that he/she will conduct during the second year. This should be an individual project, one that focuses on some issue or problem in the public sector that is relevant to or has the potential to lead to the student's future career in public service. The project proposed will in many instances be connected to some aspect of the student's public service projects in the practicum and/or in the summer international assignment. The student should discuss the project ideas with his/her assigned faculty advisor, who will review the draft proposal and offer initial advice on the design of the project to be carried out. The Advisor also will recommend faculty members to serve on a capstone committee if that seems appropriate for the student's interests and the project that is proposed.
Towards the end of the summer international project, each student should submit a second draft of a capstone project. At the beginning of the fall semester of the second year, the student will meet with his/her capstone advisor and/or committee, to discuss the project's second draft plan, review alternative approaches, and come to consensus on a project to be carried out.
Acceptance by the assigned faculty advisor and/or committee is required for participation in a pre-capstone conference that will occur during the second week of the new fall semester. The conference is devoted to the presentation and discussion of capstone projects and is attended by faculty, students, and representatives of relevant agencies and community members.
Carrying out the capstone project will be the major educational initiative of the second year of the M.P.S. degree program. This project will be supplemented by additional elective course requirements the student will need for graduation.
At the conclusion of the capstone project, the student will prepare a final report on the project, with a summary not to exceed five pages, written in a style that is accessible to lay readers. Students also will make an oral presentation of their results and conclusions to their capstone committee, other faculty and students, and the clients served in the public service project.