![Poster of recent capstone project](https://web.faa.illinois.edu/app/uploads/sites/2/2021/03/Fillers_Hunter-Poster-scaled-500x0-c-default.jpg)
What is a Capstone Project?
The Capstone Project is a culminating project that provides MUP students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a specific planning problem or issue. Projects are structured as year-long consulting agreements that pair second-year MUP students with client partners to tackle a planning question. The students work with the client to define the problem, design and conduct data collection, analyze and contextualize the information, and prepare a written and oral report for their client organization. Students gain experience working as consultants, and clients receive professional-level analysis and recommendations to inform planning processes.
A pair or small group of students may pursue a Capstone Project jointly in the case that the project has sufficient scope to warrant a team approach. A single faculty member will normally serve as the Capstone Advisor for the group, and a capstone proposal may be submitted jointly. Take a look at recent MUP Capstone Projects.
![Poster of recent capstone project](https://web.faa.illinois.edu/app/uploads/sites/2/2021/03/Fillers_Hunter-Poster-scaled-500x0-c-default.jpg)
Timeline
Timeline
To allow enough time for coordination between students, advisor, and the organization, we ask that proposals are submitted by July 15 for projects starting in the fall.
- July 15 Submission deadline for Capstone Project ideas
- August-September Students contact potential clients and discuss projects
- September 15 Students finalize proposal with their Capstone Advisor and the client
- April Draft project due to Capstone Advisor
- May Student completes project report and presentation to the client