Capstone Project

Through the capstone project, students apply newly developed knowledge and skills in a culminating experience/project that addresses research and/or practical leadership needs of their home community or organization.  Students develop a project concept and receive coaching and guidance to ensure that the project benefits their own learning objectives.  Core coursework provides theoretical, methodological, and practical guidance to students as they map the assets in their local community/organization and formalize their project.

A Capstone Project might involve:

Designing, facilitating, and evaluating an organization-wide sustainability initiative
Collaboratively developing holistic metrics to evaluate the social-ecological impacts of land management practices
Restructuring decision-making processes/patterns or organizational hierarchy
Addressing key organizational learning challenges through the development of interdepartmental communities of learning, inquiry and practice

During this experience, students will:

• Apply themes, skills, theories, and practices from your learning in the MSLS Program to an integrated project in your community/organization
• Deepen their critical reflection and inquiry skills by engaging in generative dialogue in an online learning community
• Strengthen relationships with faculty, peers, affiliates and practitioners from around the country and across a variety of sectors
• Embody and apply chosen leadership practices and values/principles throughout your applied project.  
• Strengthen project management skills and the ability to respond to changing conditions while keeping the project intention/aspiration in focus
• Strengthen their capacity to participate in a peer coaching environment
• Strengthen their capacity to engage assessment practices that hold themselves accountable to their personal, professional and academic goals, while supporting others to do the same
• Actively reflect on and track continuous learnings that emerge from this project and integrate them into their leadership practices