MPA, MPP, & MSCA Capstone
The PA 590 Capstone Course provides MPA, MPP, and MSCA students with a practical, team-based experience in problem-solving within public or nonprofit organizations. This course requires students to integrate classroom learning with practical experience, and must be taken during the last two semesters of a program.
The course requires each student to work in a team of 3-4 students to analyze an organizational or policy problem and to deliver a professional report to the sponsoring organization that typically specifies the problem or task and proposes a recommended course of action. Government, community, and nonprofit organizations work with the Department of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics (PPMA) to identify relevant projects that challenge students and serve agency goals.
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I was so impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the UIC students. The amount of research and data they were able to collect in such a short time frame was astounding, and they were able to organize it, assess it, and present it in a manner that will be immensely helpful to our organization and members. I wish we had a UIC team to research all of our policy issues.
| Illinois Stewardship Alliance Deputy Director
The Capstone students were a pleasure to work with. Their communication was on point, they met all of their deadlines as promised, and they delivered results! We were truly pleased with the outcome of the project!
| Peoria County Animal Protection Svc. Director
The Capstone students worked diligently to listen to our community’s concerns, make observations and recommendations, and help the community’s work move forward.
| All Chicago VP of Community Partnerships