THE CAPSTONE PROCESS

Students are expected to complete the capstone sequence of classes (PSUS 6213: Advanced Research Methods: Individual Mentoring and PSUS 6233: Capstone) in their last 2 semesters before graduation. These two courses are self-paced and offered every semester. The student should coordinate with their capstone mentor prior to registering, and notify the Program Director of their intent in writing. PSUS 6213 should be used to flesh out the capstone idea and create a reading list, outline, and timeframe for capstone completion. Students should work with their mentor to create a problem statement and abstract for their capstone and to design a program of reading and research. This should entail background reading to evaluate the viability of the topic, identify an appropriate methodology, and articulate the value of the project to the field. 

The capstone class should be taken in the student’s last semester, either in conjunction with other courses or only this course, depending on the student’s level of comfort and time. The capstone should present the results of a well-defined and original effort that involves: the analysis of primary or secondary data sources; the analysis of primary or secondary document sources; the analysis of primary or secondary ethnographic sources (an example of a primary ethnographic source is a set of interviews with city planning directors whom you interview personally, a secondary source would be a set of interviews someone else collected but which you interpret in your own original way); or the use of other academically legitimate analytical techniques (such as history, jurisprudence, or philosophy) with approval and guidance from your capstone mentor.

In Fall 2023, one SUP student presented their capstone project:

• Katie Anderson (Three Models of Affordable Housing Development)

We were also joined by a panel of program alumni to discuss their capstone experiences and provide advice to current students:

• Becca Garman, MPS '20

• Raven Nee, MPS '22

• Samantha Maglinao, MPS '21

• Kristian Maldonado, MPS '23

In Summer 2023, four SUP students presented their capstone projects:

• Justin Hartman (Mapping Transit Deserts)

• Hailey Kerben (Commercial to Residential Conversions: Creating a Sustainable Mixed-Use City)

• Kristian Maldonado (Rethinking the Western Ethos: Implementing Sustainable Development Solutions in Mid-Sized Desert Cities)

• Arletta Thirus (Individualism in the Built Environment)

In Spring 2023, five SUP students presented their capstone projects:

• Robera Tassisa (Family Housing Gap Along Transit Corridors in the Maryland Suburbs of DC) 

• Bianca Boggs (Analysis of U.S. City Homelessness Policies and Housing First)

• Sarah Baryluk (Evaluating Participatory Planning Outcomes and Best Practices in Arlington, VA)

• Ugonna Njeze (Microgrids and Geothermal Heating)

• Courtney Carothers (Technology Transfer: Ecosystem-Based Adaptations)

In Fall 2022, five SUP students presented their capstone projects:

• Rebecca Szymkowicz (Creating Equitably Climate-Adapted Cities through the Built Environment)

• Ceriann Price (Wasted: How Cities Can be Part of the Solution to Manage Food Waste)

• Hiyab Haile (Enhancing Water Supply System in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Raven Nee (Intersectional Zoning: A Framework for Increasing Equity through Land Use Planning)

• Melissa Pennett (PlastiCITY: One Material's Impact on the Urban Landscape)