Capstone Seminar & Thesis
Capstone Presentations
The Fall Capstone Presentations take place during the first week of December and our Spring Capstone Presentations take place during the first week of May. Both presentations are held in the Academic Office Building on the third floor.
Course Overview
Graduate Student Capstone Seminar & Thesis
Graduate students are required to complete a graduate-level project which demonstrates their ability to integrate the knowledge and skills they have gained from their program.
For graduate students, the Capstone Seminar is designed to integrate and synthesize the student's entire course of study.
The course provides a process and structure for the College of Public Service faculty to ensure all graduates can demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and principles conveyed in the core curriculum of their degree and can apply that knowledge, and that gained from elective courses to the analysis of contemporary issues in public administration (including the administration of nonprofit organizations) or criminal justice.
The products of this seminar will be tangible evidence of a degree candidate's qualifications and expertise.
Course Goals
Students will complete a graduate-level project which demonstrates their ability to integrate the knowledge and skills they have gained from the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Dual MPA/MCJ, or Dual MPA/MA Sociology (SOC) programs. The project will enable students to demonstrate their:
- Knowledge of theory, research, and practice in public administration and/or nonprofit management and/or criminal justice
- Oral communication skills
- Written communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
The goals of the MPA, MCJ, Dual MPA/MCJ, and Dual MPA/MA SOC programs are to enhance student's skills in each of these areas so that students are able to effectively contribute to their fields and improve programs and policies.
How to Enroll
To enroll in CRJU/PADM 5361, Capstone Seminar, please follow the steps below:
Attend Capstone Orientation
Capstone orientation is held both fall and spring semesters and is a required component of the enrollment process. If you are unable to attend, you must contact a Capstone instructor listed on the course schedule to discuss alternative arrangements prior to completing the Capstone Checklist. It is essential that you attend the orientation in the semester prior to the one in which you plan to enroll in the Capstone Seminar.
Request Degree Audit
After you have attended an orientation, the semester prior to your Capstone semester, you must then request a degree audit from the Graduate Student Services Specialist. You can email cps@uccs.edu to request your audit. Once your audit is complete you can proceed with your capstone checklist.
Complete the Capstone Checklist
You'll receive your Capstone Checklist once you attend the mandatory orientation, which will be held the semester prior to enrolling in Capstone. When your checklist is complete, including all reader signatures, please email the checklist to cps@uccs.edu.
Receive Permission Number
After your checklist is received and your eligibility has been verified, you will be issued a permission number to enroll in the Capstone Seminar.
Informational Videos
See here for informational videos about the Capstone Seminar & Thesis.
Thesis Option for MPA Students
In PAD 6950: Master's Thesis, students conduct a comprehensive review of the theoretical and research literature in the subject area of their thesis and collect original data or analyze existing data in new ways. The thesis requires 6 hours of credit that span two semesters. The thesis option is available to MPA students who have achieved an exceptional academic record and who wish to pursue independent research in greater depth than would normally be possible in Capstone Seminar. It is suited for students who intend to pursue a PhD degree or to enter a research or policy environment upon completion of the MPA degree.
Minimum eligibility requirements for pursuing a thesis include:
- Matriculation in the MPA program
- Successful completion of all core courses
- Overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Demonstrated ability to pursue research work, as evidenced by two submitted research papers developed in CPS courses or elsewhere
- Preliminary identification of a thesis topic or area of interest
- Agreement from a CPS faculty member to serve as the thesis committee chair along with two additional faculty members to serve on the thesis committee
- Minor exceptions to the above criteria may be made in exceptional circumstances
A student desiring to pursue the thesis option should meet with their faculty advisor to establish eligibility under the above criteria. After establishing eligibility, the student should recruit three faculty members to serve on the student's thesis committee -- one to serve as the committee chair and two to serve on the committee -- and then complete the thesis application form. Once complete, the thesis application form should be submitted to the MPA program director for approval.
Although the formal procedures entail application through the faculty advisor, the student is encouraged to make informal contacts with appropriate subject-matter faculty to determine interest and availability.
Please complete the Thesis Application Form
For more information about the MPA Thesis Option, please watch the video below:
Thesis & Capstone Seminar FAQs
Have more questions? Visit the Thesis & Capstone Seminar FAQs below.