Students in NYU Wagner’s Public Policy Capstone Program are graduate students pursuing their Master of Public Administration in Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy or a Master of Science in Public Policy. These students are deeply committed to tackling complex social and economic challenges through evidence-based policymaking, rigorous research, and systems-level thinking. 

They are trained to analyze legislation, develop implementation strategies, assess program impact, and communicate recommendations to diverse stakeholders. Many bring experience from government, think tanks, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and academic research settings. Their interdisciplinary training equips them to evaluate real-world policy issues and collaborate with mission-driven organizations to craft strategic, equitable, and actionable solutions.

Throughout this Capstone engagement, student teams will: 

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.

Partnering with an NYU Wagner Public Policy Capstone team offers: 

✅ Rigorous policy research and tailored recommendations to support your organization’s strategic goals
✅ Professional-grade deliverables, including implementation plans, issue briefs, or evaluation tools
✅ Fresh insights and equity-centered frameworks, grounded in the latest academic research and policy innovation
✅ A structured, time-bound partnership with mentorship from NYU Wagner faculty
✅ Low time commitment, high return, with ~1–2 hours/month of client engagement
✅ Access to a diverse pipeline of emerging policy leaders trained to work across sectors