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 provides organizations with: 

✅ Rigorous policy research and strategic analysis that helps organizations better understand complex policy environments and identify actionable opportunities. 

✅ Professional-quality deliverables such as policy briefs, implementation strategies, research reports, evaluation frameworks, or strategic roadmaps. 

✅ Hands-on consulting support from graduate students trained in public policy analysis, supported by experienced NYU Wagner faculty. 

✅ Fresh perspectives grounded in evidence-based research, helping organizations evaluate policy options, programs, and strategic initiatives. 

✅ A low-cost, high-value engagement that requires minimal time commitment while delivering meaningful insights and recommendations. 

✅ Access to emerging policy leaders with experience in government, nonprofits, think tanks, and advocacy organizations. 

Industry partners participating in the NYU Wagner Capstone program are expected to actively support the student consulting experience by providing a well-defined project and consistent engagement throughout the academic year.

Participating organizations should be prepared to:

• Identify a clearly defined project challenge aligned with the program’s topic areas and suitable for a small graduate student consulting team.
 • Designate a project manager who will serve as the primary point of contact for the student team throughout the engagement.
 • Participate in key project milestones, including the project kickoff, periodic check-ins, and the final presentation of recommendations.
 • Provide relevant background information, documentation, and context that will help students understand the organization, its operations, and the project challenge.
 • Offer timely feedback on student questions, research findings, and draft deliverables to help guide the team’s work.
 • Maintain regular communication with the student team and faculty advisor as needed during the project.

Projects should be scoped so they are feasible for a small team of graduate students to complete within the academic term while still providing meaningful value to the partner organization.