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Capstone in Public Administration

*Taken after the completion of core courses.

Integrating and applying learned skills and experiences leads to a deeper understanding and habits of practice that inform a career. The capstone project applies the knowledge and skills gained through the program to a real-world challenge in the field of public administration. The specific project will vary depending on student interest and goals and may include such things as evaluating the effectiveness of a public policy; preparing a strategic plan for an organization in the public sector; leading a comparative analysis of public administration systems in different countries, designing a public engagement strategy for a public sector organization; and/or analyzing an emerging issue relevant to the field.

  • Credits: 3 credits
  • Course ID: PAD 799

What You'll Learn

Combine key professional Public Administration concepts that demonstrate mastery of skill and content. These may include but are not limited to, technology-enhanced policy, data, and evidence-driven interventions, effective change management, and interagency strategy (local/state/federal) to create or implement policy interventions.
Construct a capstone project that exhibits demonstrated leadership, cultural awareness, and technical skills that produce effective strategies and change.
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Course FAQs

What is asynchronous?
Asynchronous learning means that the instructor and the students in the course all engage with the course content at different times (and from different locations). The instructor provides students with a sequence of units which the students move through as their schedules permit.
What is the course structure?
Courses are offered fully online and are asynchronous. There is an optional, live interactive session offered weekly so students can engage with one another and with the faculty member. 

How long is each course?
Our mini-sessions (or terms) are 7.5 weeks long, and courses are offered in each mini. Each semester consists of 2 mini-sessions.
How many courses can I take in a mini-term?
We have structured our courses so students can take one course at a time; this is especially important for students balancing full-time employment. We do permit students to take a maximum of two courses in 1 mini-term (i.e. 6 credits over a 7.5 week period). While taking more than two courses in one semester may seem appealing, these online accelerated courses can be difficult to manage, especially while working full-time. In addition, taking more than one course in a mini session could cause conflicts in your weekly live sessions (i.e. they could be offered on the same day and time). 

What is a part-time course load vs. a full-time course load?
Part-time in SPS is defined as 3 credits (1 course) per semester, and full-time is defined as 6 or more credits (2 or more courses) per semester. Every course at SPS is 3 credits.
How fast can I earn a master's degree?
You can finish an SPS program in as little as 16 months if you take a course every mini semester*. If you need more time, that's okay too! We offer flexibility so you can go your own pace.

*This is for 30 credit hour programs only.