Students in the International Development Capstone Program at NYU Wagner are advanced graduate students enrolled in the Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management & Policy program, often with a specialization in international development, governance, and finance. 

These students bring diverse regional and professional backgrounds—from global NGOs and multilateral institutions to social enterprises and international foundations. They are deeply committed to sustainable development, institutional reform, climate resilience, and social justice. Their coursework and experience equip them with the tools to lead projects focused on governance, policy analysis, service delivery, and development finance across global contexts. 

They are collaborative, equity-minded problem-solvers, eager to apply their skills in research, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking to real-world development challenges.

Student teams will work with mission-driven organizations to: 

CAPSTONE: LEARNING IN ACTION
NYU Wagner’s Capstone program pairs small teams of students with clients in the public and private sectors who are tackling a public service issue—whether in health, education, international development, urban planning, or any other programmatic field—to tackle a project.

Partnering with NYU Wagner’s Capstone program gives your organization access to top-tier, passionate public service students who bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and skills to address complex issues and create meaningful change for your organization.

Our talented public service students provide in-depth analysis and actionable insights to help your organization optimize funding opportunities and strengthen financial sustainability.

Your organization will benefit from: 

✅ Dedicated consulting support from a skilled and diverse team of NYU Wagner students, guided by expert faculty.
✅ Strategic insights and tailored deliverables related to international policy, financing, governance, health, education, or environmental issues.
✅ Low-cost, high-impact engagement, typically requiring only 1–2 hours/month from your team.
✅ Access to global talent prepared for roles at the UN, World Bank, NGOs, foundations, and social ventures.
✅ Fresh thinking and evidence-based recommendations grounded in academic and professional research.
✅ A collaborative, equity-centered approach, with attention to both community voice and institutional realities.