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Capstone Projects

Hire a Goldman Student Consultant for a Capstone Project

We are now accepting proposals for Spring 2026 Capstone Projects.

Every spring semester, organizations (clients) hire graduating Goldman School students (consultants) to work on capstone projects to help organizations solve a policy problem or development challenge they are facing. Organizations may be from the public, private, or non-profit sectors, in the US or globally. The Capstone is a graduation requirement for Goldman students from the following degree programs:

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • Master of Public Affairs (MPA)
  • Master of Development Practice (MDP)

With faculty supervision and guidance, student consultants conduct research and analysis throughout the 15-week Spring semester in order to develop recommendations provided to the client to address the problem. Throughout the course of the project, students apply the interdisciplinary methods, approaches, and perspectives learned in the GSPP core curriculum for their degree program.

The final deliverable is a high-quality professional report submitted to the client and the student’s faculty instructor at the end of the Spring semester.

About Goldman Students

Master of Public Policy students have an average of four to five years of professional experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, with either a domestic or global focus. Students have completed the MPP’s rigorous and quantitative core curriculum, which includes two semesters each of statistics and economics, a course on the fundamentals of policy analysis and two or more courses on law, leadership, management, or politics. In addition to the core curriculum, students take coursework which broaden their expertise in emerging fields of public concern, and/or advanced public policy tools and methodologies. Finally, MPP students have already completed a client-based consulting team project and a summer policy internship where they have applied the core skills learned during their first year of study. 

Master of Public Affairs students are highly-qualified mid-career professionals, typically with over 10 years of experience in a range of professional workplaces including consulting, government, military, philanthropy, social policy, the arts and tech. Many already have an advanced degree such as an MBA, MD or Law degree. The focus of the MPA degree is on policy analysis combined with deep engagement with questions of organizational leadership, innovation, strategy and adaptation on a domestic or global level. The MPA core curriculum spans the same disciplines as the MPP core but for fewer semesters and academic credits. Students also take coursework which broaden their expertise in emerging fields of public concern, and or advanced public policy tools and methodologies. 

Master of Development Practice students have an average of four to five years of professional experience in the field of sustainable development, global or domestic. The core curriculum spans the fields of climate, energy, agriculture, environment, public policy, economic development, public health, project management, and business and innovation, as well as other areas such as human rights, education, migration, humanitarian relief, and governance. Through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum, graduates are able to think across traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries to solve global and local development challenges.

Details and Logistics for Capstone Projects

Submitting a Proposal

Submission Period

We are now accepting capstone proposals for Spring 2026 projects.

  • Submit Proposal Here
  • Submission Deadline:
    • Priority Deadline: October 1, 2025 (final deadline: November 1, 2025)
    • After October 1, we will continue to accept proposals on a rolling basis until the November 1st final deadline. Submissions by the October 1 priority deadline are encouraged - the earlier you submit, the more students will see your proposal.
  • Organizations are welcome to submit multiple proposals (for different projects).
  • Submitted proposals will undergo initial review, then posted for students to view within one to two business days. If we have questions about your proposal prior to posting, we will reach out to you directly.

Maximize the number of students who will view your proposal: We encourage organizations to submit proposals by the priority deadline of October 1. Students will be finalizing their projects as the semester progresses, so the later you submit a proposal the number of students who are available decreases.

Essential components
to include in
proposals

Refer to the Capstone proposal submission form for more guidance.

  1. Problem Statement: Begin with a statement of a problem or a perceived problem facing your organization
  2. Recommendations: Clearly state the decision(s) you are seeking recommendations for

# of Students
per project
  • One graduating student per project (MPP, MPA or MDP student).
  • There are approximately 175 students seeking a capstone project for Spring 2026

Project Timing
  • All project work begins in mid-January and is completed by early May.
  • In principle, relationships between students and clients, as well as the basic project scope, should be established no later than December 1.

Number of Hours
  • MPP & MDP Students: 18 to 20 hours per week (270 to 300 hours total) with the option to add an additional three hours per week.
  • MPA Students: 12 to 15 hours per week (120 to 240 hours total)

Project Compensation
  • A majority of clients pay students for their project work, typically in the range of $8,000 – $10,000 (total amount for project). This amount will vary by client.
  • We will accept proposals for unpaid projects, however we encourage clients pay students for the work they are doing.
  • Clients are expected to reimburse any project-related expenses the student consultant may incur, whether or not the project is paid.
  • All payment details must be agreed upon in writing before the start of the project, and should be negotiated with the student consultant directly.
  • All payments must be made directly to the student.
  • Payment mechanisms must be in place before the student consultant starts working on the project.

Project Negotiation
  • The student consultant negotiates project scope, goals, tasks and payment directly with potential clients.
  • Final project topic and scope must be approved by the student's capstone instructor to ensure the project meets academic requirements.

Project Interest and Selection
  • Students review submitted proposals and apply to those they are interested in. Ultimately the student makes the final decision on their project (after their capstone instructor approves).
  • A majority of submitted proposals are ultimately accepted by student consultants and completed.
  • If you are working directly with an individual student, a proposal is not required. However, the student is responsible for seeking approval from their capstone instructor before accepting a project.

 

Capstone Project Timeline

August - November

Proposal submission period
Clients begin to submit project proposals in August for students to review.

Priority Deadline: October 1, 2025
Final Deadline: November 1, 2025

After October 1, we will continue to accept proposals on a rolling basis until the November 1st final deadline.

October - November

Students begin finalizing project choices in October/November.

December 1

Student finalizes project scope with client.
In principle, relationships between student consultants and clients, as well as the basic project scope, should be established no later than December 1. Capstone Instructor Approval is required before a student accepts a project.

Mid-January

Project work begins.
Student consultants begin project work during the week of January 20, 2026; however, they can begin preliminary work on the project depending on the needs of the client and/or the project (this must be mutually agreed upon between the client and student consultant).  

Students are required to attend a weekly seminar with a capstone instructor and a small group of Goldman students doing their own separate projects.

Mid-April

Draft report due.
Draft report is due to the faculty advisor and client for review and feedback.

Early May

Final report due.

Contact Information

Capstone Projects:

For general inquiries about submitting a Capstone proposal, please contact Cecille Cabacungan, Managing Director of Career & Alumni Services. You may also contact the following staff about capstones for the corresponding Goldman degree programs:

IPA Team Projects: If you are interested in working with a team of three to five MPP students, click here for more information.