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The Capstone Project

To be eligible for graduation, every student must complete a piece of original research, the Capstone Project. The project will challenge you to pull together what you have learned and apply it in a research project of your own design. The project can be either applied research, for your own or another organization, or a theoretical study that challenges you to analyze relationships between two or more variables. Either way, you will find yourself relying heavily on what you learned to complete this challenging assignment.

The project is THE centerpiece of PADM 7050, the Capstone course. PADM 7050 is offered in both the fall and spring semesters.The project will challenge you to pull together what you have learned and apply it in a research project of your own design. In the semester preceding the capstone course, you will take PADM 6500, Research Methods in Public Administration. In that class, you will develop your prospectus. The prospectus is a proposal for your project that identifies the research type (applied or theoretical) and the research question, provides a brief literature review, and describes the data collection method to be used.

If the prospectus is acceptable, you will receive permission to enroll in the capstone course. Otherwise, you will be told to revise the prospectus. Once you receive the course permission, you are responsible for making any corrections needed to the prospectus for submission on the first night of class.


Tips for Success:

  • Decide as early as possible what your research topic will be, then apply what you learn in coursework to refine your topic down to a research question.
  • Look around your workplace for a program or policy that needs to be evaluated, or a problem that needs a solution. Think about what your research skills could contribute to such a situation.
  • Alternatively, focus in on a question, topic, or issue that really intrigues you. If it interests you, it becomes easier to research it.
  • Pay careful attention to what you learn in PADM 6500 and 6600 about how to design research and analyze data. These skills are critical to your success in the capstone.
  • Make your prospectus the best it can be. Edit it carefully, and think it through. Is what you are proposing practical and doable in a semester? Can you get access to the data you need?
  • Stay focused and disciplined while you're in the capstone course. Do not put off work on the capstone for any reason. Delays, and late submissions, increase the odds that you won't finish on time...or graduate.
  • It's a good idea to talk with your spouse or significant other at the beginning of the capstone course about the demands this project may put on your time.

    • Capstone Projects