PSAA Capstone Projects | PSAA Mini Capstone Projects
Select MPSA students can also participate in one semester of capstone research courses referred to as “Mini Capstones.” These courses allow students to tackle a problem or project in the real world, often working in conjunction with a government agency or nonprofit organization. Designed to test the knowledge and abilities students have developed through their previous classes and experiences, capstones necessitate strong teamwork, careful research, writing ability, and often a large amount of ingenuity in identifying ways to approach an issue or find a solution.
Past mini capstones include the following:
MPSA Policy Analysis Track Employer Skills Report
The purpose of this project is to understand what prospective employers of Master of Public Service and Administration graduates (particularly those in the policy analysis track) are seeking in new hires. First, the team was tasked with increasing the response rate from employers that hire policy analysis students using a modified version of the 2020 employer survey. This survey attempts to assess skills and competencies relevant to the NASPAA’s core competencies and the Bush School’s curriculum.
Employer Skills & Curriculum Orientation Report
The purpose of this report is to provide recommendations for potential Bush School curriculum changes based on the skills most requested by industry employers. The following report provides evidence of compliance with the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
New Employer Survey Report
The purpose of this project was to understand what prospective employers of Master of Public Service and Administration graduates are seeking in new hires. A twenty question survey was crafted that measured skills and competencies relevant to NASPAA’s core competencies and the Bush School’s curriculum. In the spring semester, the survey was distributed to 671 non-profit organizations (NPOs), state and local government entities, and federal organizations taken from a list of potential employers provided by Dr. Upton, as well as an additional 30 organizations known to members of the survey team.
Bush 635: Mini Capstone – 2018 Internship Experience Survey
The intent of this project was to evaluate if the required summer internship for the Public Service and Administration (PSAA) curriculum is producing the desired learning outcomes for the Bush School of Government and Public Service. The main objective was to administer a survey to the second-year students to promote self-reflection about their individual internship and the value it had as a high-impact learning experience.
Bush 635: Mini Capstone – 2017 Alumni Survey
This mini-capstone assignment was designed to be a continuation of the 2010 Capstone supervised by Dr. Eric Lindquist. Our main objective was to readminister the survey designed by this 2010 Capstone with minor adjustments. The initial survey was distributed to 208 Bush School alumni with 61 alumni responding. The alumni email list for that survey was curated by the Director of Student Services.
