Capstone Timeline

Humphrey School students in the MDP, MPA, and MURP (Plan C) programs are required to take the Capstone Workshop (PA 8081/MDP 5200). It is optional for MPP, MHR, and MS–STEP students, who can choose a professional paper or a capstone.

The Capstone Workshop is intended to serve as a culminating project to draw upon the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout your program. Most students enroll during their final semester; however, with advisers' permission and under certain circumstances, students may enroll before then.

Please note: fall capstone sections are no longer offered.

Completing capstone in Summer 2025

November 12, 2024: Spring 2025 registration begins.

Register for the spring PA 5080 Capstone Prep Workshop. PA 5080 is a requirement to complete a capstone workshop.

December 31, 2024: Deadline for the Student-Initiated Capstone Feedback Form

Students have the option to partner with an organization and create their own capstone project.
This deadline is ONLY for students who want to create their own project. There will be projects organized by the capstone instructor.
A student-initiated capstone MUST be placed within the capstone section with the agreement of that faculty member.
Information captured by the form will indicate general focus, partner organization, and team members or expertise needed.
Please note that for summer there is only one section of capstone. The instructor's background, area of expertise and number of projects will be factors in the acceptance of proposals.

February 27, 2025: Summer 2025 registration begins.

Register for PA 8081 Capstone Workshop - Leading Org & Community Change.

March 24, 2025: Last day to register for spring PA 5080 in order to complete a summer 2025 capstone.

PA 5080 is a requirement to complete a capstone workshop in summer 2025.
Those registered for PA 5080 will receive an email with the list of summer capstone project options and a form to rank their top 3 choices.

April 1, 2025: PA 5080 Capstone Prep Workshop for summer 2024 capstone

First remote synchronous class session to kick-off team activities, Tuesday, April 1 from 6:00-8:45 pm.
Project teams are announced for summer PA 8081.
There will be ongoing asynchronous class work through the end of the semester.

May 19, 2025: Summer semester and Capstone Workshop begins.

August 20, 2025: Deadline to submit a digital copy of the final paper to UMN’s Digital Conservancy and to Academic Programs.

The final capstone paper must be submitted to Humphrey Career and Student Success (hhhcss@umn.edu) and Academic Programs (fren0096@umn.edu) so that it can be permanently housed in the University of Minnesota Libraries Digital Conservancy. Further details are provided on the Capstone Workshop page under “Documenting completion of professional paper”.

Completing capstone in Spring 2026

April 21, 2025 from 2:30-3:30 pm CDT: Capstone & Professional Paper Information Session

April 10, 2025: Fall 2025 Registration Begins

Register for fall PA 5080 Capstone Prep Workshop. PA 5080 is a requirement to complete a capstone workshop (PA 8081).
All MDP students must register for MDP 5100 in lieu of PA 5080.

April – September 2025:

If capstone is an option for your degree program, use this time to consider your choice of capstone versus professional paper. You can also explore possibilities if you want to initiate your own capstone project.

August 15, 2025: Deadline for the Student-Initiated Capstone Proposal Form

Students have the option to partner with an organization and create their own capstone project.
This deadline is only for students who want to create their own project. There will be many projects organized by the capstone faculty and introduced at the Capstone Project Session in September.
The proposal form will gather information on the proposed project, allow for feedback for development of the project, and assist with the capstone being paired with a capstone faculty sponsor.
A student-initiated capstone MUST be placed within a capstone section with the agreement of that faculty member.
Information captured by the form will indicate general focus, partner organization, and team members or expertise needed. Feedback is provided promptly to inform the proposal.

September 19, 2025 from 12:45-2:15 pm CDT: Capstone Project Session

This session will provide an overview of the spring 2026 capstone projects & partners, describe the process for assigning students to capstone projects, teams, and sections, and provide details on the work that will happen in the Capstone Prep Workshop (PA 5080/MDP5100).

October 3, 2025: Deadline to submit the Capstone Project Ranking Form

Choose your top 3 preferred capstone projects for spring 2026 plus provide additional information on skills and project goals to assist with team formation.

October 24, 2025: Announcement of the capstone teams

October 27, 2025: Last day to register for fall PA 5080/MDP 5100 in order to complete a spring 2026 capstone

PA 5080 is a requirement to complete a capstone workshop.
All MDP students must register for MDP 5100 in lieu of PA 5080.

October 31, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 pm CDT: PA 5080/MDP 5100 Capstone Prep Workshop

First synchronous class session to kick-off team activities.
There will be ongoing asynchronous work modules and assignments through the end of the semester.

November 11, 2025: Spring 2026 registration begins

Register for your assigned PA 8081/MDP 5200 capstone section.

January 20, 2026: Spring semester and PA 8081/MDP 5200 Capstone Workshop begins

May 20, 2026: Deadline to submit a digital copy of the final paper to UMN’s Digital Conservancy and to Academic Programs

The final capstone paper must be submitted to Humphrey Career and Student Success (hhhcss@umn.edu) and Academic Programs (fren0096@umn.edu) so that it can be permanently housed in the University of Minnesota Libraries Digital Conservancy. Further details are provided on the Capstone Workshop page under “Documenting completion of professional paper”.