The Capstone project of the Organizational Leadership Masters at Wheelock College is an action learning experience, providing students with an experiential learning opportunity while performing a service for a local nonprofit or higher education organization. Over one academic year students work in teams to address a challenge or opportunity identified by a participating organization. The goal of the Capstone is to contribute to the students' education while also making a contribution to the pubic good.
The Capstone project brings together teams of 3-4 graduate students to address challenges and/or identify new opportunities as identified by the participating organization. In conjunction with the participating organization, the Capstone team will develop a work plan that will produce a carefully scoped final project that addresses the need as defined by the organization. Each team will produce a written report and make a final presentation of its findings and recommendations.
Program Timeline:
1. May 30, 2010 - Capstone proposals are due
2. June-July 2010 - Faculty will reach out to prospective participating organizations for clarification on proposed projects
3. July 2010 ? Faculty will choose projects to be presented to students.
4. July 2010 ? Prospective participants are notified if their proposals have been chosen to move on to the final selection stage
5. September 2010 ? Capstone projects are presented to students to choose those projects that they are interested in. Based upon project selection, students form Capstone teams.
6. October 2010 ? Capstone teams meet with the organizations that they will be working with.
7. April 2010 ? Capstone projects conclude, final products are submitted to participating organization
Qualifying for a Capstone Team: Any nonprofit organization or institution of higher education is eligible to apply for a Capstone team. In order to be considered for a team an application must be completed and submitted by the deadline of May 30, 2010.
The Capstone Project: An acceptable Capstone project is one that is important but not urgent and is achievable within the timeframe of one academic year and supported by the resources available. The proposed project identifies specific deliverables for the team to provide and there is a clear definition of the issue to be addressed. Projects that are not acceptable are those that ask for interns, administrative support or organizations that do not have the resources to appropriately support the work of the Capstone team. Examples of acceptable projects include (but are not limited to): strategic planning, studies of best practices, needs assessments, program planning, board and leadership development or program evaluation.
Capstone teams will negotiate a scope of work agreement with their organization. Based upon this work plan the Capstone team will engage in appropriate activities to perform the described services. Participating organizations will designate one staff person as the Project Liaison. The Project Liaison will be the primary organizational contact to the Capstone team, and will respond to and communicate with the Capstone team on a regular basis as necessary and appropriate for the success of the project. The time that the Project Liaison devotes to the project is dependent upon the size and scope of the work agreement and the needs of the organization and the Capstone team.
Project Selection Process: We do not guarantee that if your organization submits a Capstone proposal that you will be chosen to participate. Proposals are first reviewed by faculty for appropriateness for a Capstone project. Proposals that are accepted by faculty are then presented to students who will choose those projects that they have an interest in. If your proposal is not accepted by faculty you will be notified by the end of July 2010. Applicants who go to the final vetting process will be notified by the end of September whether or not your proposal has been accepted.
Contact for Additional Information and applications: Irwin Nesoff, Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Organizational Leadership (617) 879-2170 or inesoff [AT] wheelock.edu Visit our web site for additional information on the Organizational Leadership Programs at Wheelock College.
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