Capstone (3 credit hours)
Course Description
The Clinton School’s capstone project is designed to provide students with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from course and field work, into an in-depth final project. The Capstone is carried out by completing a public service project that builds on the cumulative knowledge gained from experiences at the Clinton School. The course is intended only for students who are completing their Masters of Public Service degree program.
Prerequisites
Students must successfully complete all UACS core courses, including the Practicum and Internship, prior to beginning the Capstone.
Capstone Objectives
By completing the Capstone project, students have the opportunity to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge gained through the MPS program and apply that knowledge to a relevant public service project
- Extend personal leadership skills in some meaningful way
- 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
- Engage issues, processes, and/or organizations that may be relevant to your public service career after you graduate
The Project
This course employs an independent study format. Students develop projects in consultation with the client, capstone advisor and capstone coordinator. The project focuses on some issue or problem in the public sector and provides an opportunity to apply select concepts and/or skills sets learned in the MPS program. It is an immersive experience with an opportunity to exercise discretion in decision-making that extends beyond the mere execution of routine tasks.
The project will in many instances be connected to some aspect of the students public service projects in the practicum and/or in the international public service project. Students are encouraged to select projects that are relevant, either in focus or execution, to the student’s future career in public service. The strongest proposals make clear how the student is using what has been learned in the program to both guide activities and evaluate outcomes.
During the project, students work with a capstone project advisor and the Clinton School capstone coordinator. Carrying out the capstone project will be the major educational initiative of the second year of the MPS program.
Project Report
Most capstone projects result in two tangible products. The first deliverable is whatever is requested by the capstone client. This deliverable may take the form of a summary report, strategic plan, case study, recommendations, project implementation, project evaluation, etc. The second deliverable is the Capstone Final Report submitted at the conclusion of the project. This report focuses on the process you engaged during your project.