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Frequently Asked Questions for Current Students
What is the Capstone workshop?
When should I take my Capstone workshop?
What can I expect from my Capstone workshop?
What is required of participants?
How much time should be devoted a week to the workshop?
What are the prerequisites for the Capstone workshops?
What is the timeline for applications, placement, and registration?
How do I fill out the online application for the Capstone workshops?
How should I choose a Capstone?
Are there workshop projects reserved for particular concentrations?
How are the Capstone workshop teams selected?
What information is faculty given from the online application?
How many Capstone teams travel as part of their workshop?
For projects with travel, do the students have to pay for these expenses?
How are individuals and groups graded?
What types of projects have been done in the past?
What is the SIPA Mid-Term Capstone Presentations? Where and when is it held? Who can attend?
How do I record this on a resume?
Whom do I contact if I have any other questions?
What is the Capstone workshop?
Capstone workshops serve as the culminating educational experience for students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy (PESP), and the Master of International Affairs (MIA) programs. Workshops apply the practical skills and analytical knowledge learned at SIPA to a real-world issue. Students are organized into small consulting teams and assigned a substantive, policy-oriented project with an external client. Clients include public agencies (from the local to national level), international NGOs and multi-national organizations, and major firms in the private sector. Student teams, working under the supervision of a faculty expert, answer a carefully defined problem posed by the client. Each team produces an actionable report at the close of the workshop that is designed to translate into real change on the ground. Essentially, Capstone workshops give students not only a chance to further refine their skills and knowledge but to make a positive contribution to the world around them. In addition, Capstone projects provide valuable experience and contacts for post-graduate employment.
When should I take my Capstone workshop?
Capstone workshops are designed to be completed in the final semester of a student’s time at SIPA. All students who plan to graduate at the end of the spring 2013 semester must have completed a Capstone workshop. Students who plan to graduate at the end of the fall 2013 term are also strongly encouraged to take their Capstone workshop in the spring semester. We have expanded the number of projects offered to allow for fall graduates to participate in the spring.
What can I expect from my Capstone workshop?
A Capstone workshop is very different from other courses at SIPA in that the project is a live consulting project with an external client outside of SIPA. Like all consulting assignments, it is the job of the team to develop a work-plan and to finalize the scope and the final deliverables of the project. (Although the initial scope and project question is defined prior to the students joining the team most often, once the team begins to delve into the initial research, the team will further refine the project question so that it is more specific and targeted than the initial question). While it is reasonable to expect guidance from the client, it is the job of the team to determine how to achieve the final deliverables of the project. The faculty advisor is there to assist the team in this process.
What is required of participants?
Like all classes:
- Attendance and participation in class activities
- Timely completion of assignments
- High-quality work
Unlike other classes:
- Meeting with the client outside of class
- Conducting field work
- Working out the logistics of the project with clients
- Routine group discussions outside of the arranged class time
- The preparation and presentation of professional, high-quality report and final presentation that is representative of SIPA
How much time should be devoted a week to the workshop?
The average amount of time spent on a weekly basis for each Capstone participant is roughly 8-10 hours per week. However, this will vary by project and by week. Like any project, there will be periods of high levels of work and periods where there will be less work required as the team moves through the work-plan and approaches deadlines for deliverables.
What are the prerequisites for the Capstone workshops?
Each Capstone workshop project has a set of preferred coursework and skills/experience. While graduating students are guaranteed a place on a workshop, students will not be placed on a workshop for which they are not qualified. Students must carefully read each workshop project description with attention to the preferred coursework and skills/experiences listed before they apply.
What is the timeline for applications, placement, and registration?
MIA and MPA students are eligible to view the available Capstone workshop projects and apply online during October 17th-31st for enrollment in the spring 2013 Capstone workshops. Spring Capstone workshop teams will be announced by November 20th. Once placed on a Capstone workshop, students will automatically be registered for their assigned workshop. Once registered, students will only be allowed to change their enrollment in extraordinary circumstances.
How do I fill out the online application for the Capstone workshops?
The URL link to the Capstone workshop online application form will be available during open application dates (October 17th-October 31st) at http://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/workshops/projects.html, as well as the available Capstone workshop project description, syllabi, and faculty advisor.
In order to apply, students must (1) submit a resume as a PDF saved as one’s UNI and (2) complete all of the required fields on the online application. On the online application, students must rank order their Capstone workshop preferences from 1 - 5 (1 being the first choice) and submit a “statement of interest” for each workshop (no more than 250-words). In addition, students must list their relevant coursework, writing the full name of the course (rather than writing the SIPA course number or an abbreviation of the course). Relevant coursework may include courses taken outside of Columbia University.
How should I choose a Capstone?
Select a Capstone workshop which is most aligned with your future aspirations and your background and area of study. You should use your concentration as a guide to workshop selection. Students must carefully read each workshop project description with attention to the preferred coursework and skills/experiences listed before they apply. Please examine the registration guide to ensure that the Capstone workshops you select do not conflict with another core requirement.
May students substitute the Capstone workshop with an independent study? May students put together their own Capstone workshop project and team? Can students waive the Capstone workshop requirement?
Students cannot complete an independent study in place of a Capstone workshop. Students may not waive the Capstone workshop requirement or create their own projects.
Are the EPD Workshops in Development Practice open for Non-EPD students? Can I apply for both an EPD and Capstone workshop?
Students taking the Methods for Development Practice class will be given priority for participation in EPD Workshops; there is limited space available for students who have not taken the Methods course. Students are asked to apply for either the Capstone workshop or the EPD Workshop in Development Practice. If you have further questions about the EPD workshops, please contact Prof. Jenny McGill (em419@columbia.edu) or Ilona Vinklerova (iv2105@columbia.edu).
Are there workshop projects reserved for particular concentrations?
Students are able to apply to any workshop that is of interest and for which they have the requisite background. With the understanding that there may be workshops outside of one’s concentration for which one is possibly suited students are not restricted to workshops only within their concentration. However, Capstone selection is based on the best match between the pool of applicants who have applied for a project and the specific needs and skill-set required to complete the project, thus it is important to carefully review the ‘preferred background’ section of the project description. While graduating students who must take a workshop are guaranteed a place on a Capstone workshop, students will not be placed on workshops for which they do not have the necessary background and will need to make another selection.
How are students selected for their Capstone team?
Priority will be given to MIA/MPA students who are in their final semester in spring 2013 who have not fulfilled their Capstone requirement. Students who will graduate at the end of the fall 2013 semester will be given next priority. We encourage fall graduates to apply to a project in the spring semester. We will make every effort to place fall graduates on a project though placement is not guaranteed for the spring term (we will offer a limited number of projects in the fall for students who must still fulfill their Capstone requirement). All other students will be placed on a project only if space permits.
First Priority: All MIA and MPA students graduating at the end of the spring 2013 semester who have not already fulfilled their workshop requirement
Second Priority: Students who are graduating at the end of the fall semester.
Third Priority: First year students and any other students.
Once placed on a Capstone team, students will automatically by registered for the workshop. Once registered, students will only be allowed to change their enrollment in extraordinary circumstances.
The average number of students per workshop team is six, though teams range from four-eight depending on the needs of the project. Workshops must have at least four students for final approval to operate. Final decisions about placement of students are made in consultation with faculty. Special consideration is given to the experience and skills of students, as well as to the requirements of each client and project and student interest.
What are the percentages of students placed in their preferred Capstone workshops (based on their application 1-5 rankings)?
In spring 2012, out of 365 total applications, 315 were required to take a Capstone workshop. Of these students, 90% of student applicants were placed on their 1-3 choices. The following reflect the application and placement statistics:
| Applicants (required to take a Capstone): 315 out of 365 | ||
1st Choice |
215 | 68% |
2nd Choice |
46 | 15% |
3rd Choice |
22 | 7% |
4th Choice |
12 | 4% |
5th Choice |
11 | 3% |
6th Choice |
9 | 3% |
| Applicants (total placed): 331 out of 365 | ||
1st Choice |
228 | 69% |
2nd Choice |
50 | 15% |
3rd Choice |
26 | 8% |
4th Choice |
14 | 4% |
5th Choice |
13 | 4% |
What information is faculty given from the online application?
Faculty advisors will only receive the information pertinent to their workshop and will not be able to see information about the other workshops for which students have applied.
How many Capstone teams travel as part of their workshop?
Roughly half of the Capstone projects will not need to travel beyond New York City for their Capstone workshop (because the client is based in New York). Some teams will need to travel once or twice to areas like Washington D.C., Boston, or Houston to meet with their client. A very small number of projects (approximately 10%) will involve international travel as part of the project. When travel is part of the Capstone project, this will be indicated in the project description under “logistics.”
Furthermore, all scheduled travel is subject to change if the needs of the project change or if travel is not feasible for any reason. If a course fee has been assessed and travel is cancelled, students will be refunded the course fee.
For projects with travel, do the students have to pay for these expenses?
Students who participate in a Capstone workshop that involves international travel will be charged a course fee of $300 at the outset of the Capstone project which will be included in their student bill. While SIPA will cover some costs associated with the trip (such as airfare), students should expect to cover some of their own expenses (such as meals). Each team will create a budget that will be approved prior to travel and will be required to remain within this budget. Expenses above the budgeted amount will be the responsibility of the students.
Some funding is provided for domestic Capstone related travel. Any expenses beyond the allocated budget for individual Capstone teams will be the responsibility of the student. Each team will be notified at the outset of their Capstone workshop as to the funding available for their team.
How are individuals and groups graded?
Student grades are derived from both the products they deliver to their clients and their level of participation and cooperation throughout the semester. Students receive individual grades.
Grades for the workshop will be based on the following criteria:
- Quality of individual written work (10%)
- Quality of participation in class, Peer review (20%)
- Feedback from the client (20%)
- Overall professionalism, including timeliness, ability to work with team, etc. (20%)
- Quality of team’s final report and briefing (30%)
What types of projects have been done in the past?
To view examples of previous projects, see past Capstone workshops projects.
What is the SIPA Mid-Term Capstone Presentations? Where and when is it held? Who can attend?
The SIPA Mid-Term Presentations are intended to provide an opportunity for teams to present their initial findings to a panel of Capstone faculty advisors, discuss analytical issues, and to receive guidance from sources outside of the project. Teams will briefly summarize their work to date and present expected outcomes followed by a question and answer period with the Capstone panel. The event is only open to current SIPA Capstone participants.
The Spring 2013 Capstone Presentation will be held on March 5-6. There will be more details on the event closer to the date.
How do I record this on a resume?
To acknowledge your SIPA Capstone workshop, you should note your workshop in the following manner:
United Nations, Division for Sustainable Development, New York, NY, Spring 2011 SIPA Capstone Workshop Consultancy
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Whom do I contact if I have any other questions?
For general inquiries: sipa_workshops@columbia.edu
Suzanne Hollmann, Capstone Program Director
Phone: 212-854-6279
suzanne.hollmann@sipa.columbia.edu
Josephine Vu, Capstone Program Coordinator
Phone: 212-854-1674
jv2424@columbia.edu