The Capstone Project
In order to complete the program, each student is expected to complete a Capstone Project. The purpose of this Capstone Project is to highlight your accomplishments as you go through the program, and also to enhance professional development and prepare for career placement.
There are three components of the Capstone Project:
This page will give a brief overview of these three components. For more details visit: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/alt/highered/capstone/
There are three components of the Capstone Project:
- Professional Philosophy Statement;
- Portfolio of Accomplishments;
- Participation points in higher education and related activities.
This page will give a brief overview of these three components. For more details visit: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/alt/highered/capstone/
Professional Philosophy Statement
This statement will be a two-part document.
- A three to four page explication of the student’s professional philosophy (i.e., values, beliefs, and perspectives as related to student affairs work); and
- A three to four page section that focuses on integrating the elements of the program (i.e., academics, practical experience, and professional development) and that explains how the experiences have prepared the student to be an effective educator, administrator, and leader as a student affairs professional.
Portfolio of Accomplishments
In past years this portfolio has taken the form of a tangible portfolio that reflects the extracurricular activities, internship and fieldwork opportunities that students have taken advantage of as a student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program. In more recent years, this portfolio has taken the form of a website that virtually contains students' accomplishments. The purpose of this portfolio, whether a website or a tangible portfolio, is to use it as a professional development tool that can be helpful in the job search.
Students have used the following websites in order to complete their virtual websites:
Students have used the following websites in order to complete their virtual websites:
- Weebly.com
- Blogger.com
- Google Sites
Participation Points
There are two categories of participation points that students will have to complete as part of the requirements for the Capstone Project: Professional Development Points and Global Education Points.
Professional Developments Points:
Students are required to earn a minimum of 15 of these points during their time in the program. Below are some examples of ways to earn Professional Development points:
Global Education Points:
Students are required to earn a minimum of 7 of these points during their time in the program. Below are some examples of ways to earn Global Education Points
Note: Points earned in this category cannot be used in the Professional Development category and vice versa.
For a full list of professional development point and global education point examples, visit: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/alt/highered/capstone/
Professional Developments Points:
Students are required to earn a minimum of 15 of these points during their time in the program. Below are some examples of ways to earn Professional Development points:
- Join a professional organization. (1 point per organization)
- Attend a state or regional conference (e.g., CSPA, NASPA Region II). (1 point per conference attended)
- Submit a proposal to present a program at a state or regional conference (e.g., CSPA, NASPA Region II). (1 point)
- Present a program at a state or regional conference. (3 points)
- Attend a national conference. (2 points)
- Submit a proposal to present a program at a national conference. (2 points)
- Present a program at a national conference. (5 points)
- Participate in a case study competition at a state, regional, or national conference. (3 points)
- Submit an article for publication in a regional student affairs journal. (3 points)
- Publish an article in a regional student affairs journal. (4 points)
- Submit an article for publication in a national journal or publication. (5 points)
- Publish an article in a national journal or publication. (8 points)
Global Education Points:
Students are required to earn a minimum of 7 of these points during their time in the program. Below are some examples of ways to earn Global Education Points
- Study or teach abroad during graduate school. (7 points)
- Take a class focused on aspects of global higher education. (5 points)
- Complete an internship working with international students. (4 points)
- Conduct research project related to global higher education. (4 points)
- Complete a project for the Office of International Student Services (OISS) or other related offices at NYU or other institutions. (2 points)
- Participate in the OISS International Friendship Program. (2 points)
- Focus a class paper or project on global higher education. (2 points)
- Work on a faculty-supervised project related to global higher education. (4 points)
- Attend a professional conference with global or international higher education as part of its theme. (2 points)
- Attend local or regional events focused on global or international higher education. (1 point)
Note: Points earned in this category cannot be used in the Professional Development category and vice versa.
For a full list of professional development point and global education point examples, visit: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/alt/highered/capstone/