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CAPSTONE INFORMATION SESSION

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What is a Capstone?

The Capstone fulfills the final degree requirement for each of the respective degree programs.

The Capstone project at the conclusion of studies gives students an opportunity to integrate knowledge with real world problems and emerging issues.

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Are there any pre-requisites?

For the PPM program:

(1) Successful completion of all PPM core courses

(2) Successful completion of PPM 602 Research Methods

A student who fails to meet either requirement may petition the PPM Committee on Academic Standing for waiver within the semester of enrollment in PPM 699.

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What are my options for completing a Capstone?

• Work independently with a faculty member(s)

• Work in a group of students with a faculty member(s)

• Take a course that serves as a capstone experience with a faculty member– A specific capstone seminar (HPM)– Course designed to fulfill requirement such as

• PPM 642 Seminar in Public Finance

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Capstones may be

• projects for state, local, profit or nonprofit agencies

• research or policy analysis

• a management audit

• a strategic plan

• analysis of financial conditions of a municipality or organization

• independent project

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Are there any USM requirements for me to conduct my research?

 

surveys, focus groups, interviewing or reviewing data that contains information about individuals….

Any research proposal involving human subjects must be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board of the Office of Research Compliance – including student research.

Student research can be considered for an expedited review

an online training program that students and faculty must complete to become aware of human subjects protection. This training can be accessed from the link on the USM IRB web site at www.usm.maine.edu/orc/irb/.

certificate verifying the training should be saved and printed and is sent to the USM ORC with the submission forms.http://usm.maine.edu/orc/irb/handbook/

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How do I come up with a topic?

• Talk to faculty members about ideas you may have

• Look at the capstones done by other Muskie students

• Talk to your fellow classmates

• Look at a possible project based on your current work

• Talk to practitioners in the field around current issues

• Consider expanding a field experience opportunity, independent study or assistantship

• Attend other capstone proposals or presentations for ideas

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CAPSTONE EXAMPLES 1. The Northern Forest Alliance Approach to Land Conservation: A

New Model for Rural Landscape Protection2. Court Diversion for Juveniles in Possession of Alcohol:

Recommendations for the State of Maine3. Case Study: Companion Animal Over-Population Programs in

New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Maine and A New Program for Maine.

4. Board Development Practices of the Nonprofit Sector in Portland, Maine: A Mixed-Method Case Study

5. The Use of ITS in Transportation Planning6. Exploring Volunteer Management Practices in Maine Nonprofits7. Homeownership Housing for Single Adult Households in Greater

Portland: Assessment of Need and Policy Obstacles8. Fiscal and Budgetary Analysis of Gorham, ME

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What is the difference between a capstone proposal and a capstone presentation?

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The capstone proposal: PPM

An oral presentation of your research question or idea. Capstone proposals often include a brief research outline.

The proposal ideally addresses four fundamental questions1.what is it that I want to study?

2.what do we know about this?

3.how do I plan to study this?

4.what do I hope to have at the end of this research?

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The capstone presentation: PPM

An oral presentation of your research findings

The capstone presentation ideally contains several basic elements

1. An overview of your research question and what the literature told you

2. A description of the methodology you used

3. Your research findings

4. Conclusions or recommendations or next steps…

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The capstone proposal: CPD

• The development of a prospectus regarding your project

• approved by your capstone advisor

• Ideally the scope of the project can be completed in one semester

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The capstone presentation: CPD

An oral presentation of your paper at the semi-annual Muskie Planning forum.

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How long does a Capstone take to finish?

• Most capstones can be completed in two semesters

• Summer semester work on literature reviews

• Regularly scheduled work is critical

• Regularly scheduled meetings with faculty advisor