CERM

Culminating Project Guidelines

The Master of Applied Science (MAS) Culminating Experience serves to demonstrate a student’s capabilities and readiness for professional practice. The applied project should total no less than 150 hours of work and will be designed by the student in consultation with their graduate committee. All Culminating Experience findings must include a written deliverable and be presented to the student’s examining committee in a seminar open to the academic community. In most cases, the student submits an individually prepared Master’s project. In exceptional cases, students may request permission to submit a jointly prepared Master’s project. The Committee Chair in consultation with the Program Director(s) is authorized to approve requests for joint preparation and to set special standards as may be required for such projects.

Graduate Committee: The student will have at least a two-member graduate committee, to be selected in consultation with the Program Director(s) and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Students, in consultation with their Graduate Committee, will choose from the following options. An Option Approval Form should be submitted to the Program Director(s) and the Dean of Graduate Studies prior to the start of the applied project.

Option 1: Research Project.

A research project is a structured investigation into a specific question or topic, aiming to add to existing knowledge or solve a problem. It involves a systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to draw conclusions and potentially offer new insights. Research projects can be conducted in various fields and can involve different methods, such as surveys, experiments, or field/lab work. The written portion of a research project should have the standard sections of a research paper, each of which addresses most if not all the following basic questions.

1. Introduction

What is the project about?

Why is this an important research topic and what research questions will you be answering?

What are the general objectives of this project?

What is the significance of this project?

2. Literature Review

What do we already know about this issue? (What have others said and provided

evidence for?)

How does your research do something different or better than others have done?

3. Methodology

How did you examine this issue?

4. Results and Discussion of Main Findings

What are the main findings of the project?

In what ways do these modify/add to the existing literature?

5. Conclusions

What are the theoretical or policy implications of these findings?

What are the fruitful research directions on this topic?

What might you do in future research?

6. References

Which sources did you consult?

7. Appendix (for example, datasets, computer code, statistical results)

Option 2: Project-Based Internship or Service-Learning Project.

A project-based internship focuses on a student completing a specific, real-world project within an organization, typically over a defined period. This differs from traditional internships that might involve a broader range of duties. Project-based internships offer students a chance to apply their skills and knowledge to a specific task and gain valuable experience in a concentrated area. A service-learning project combines community service with academic learning, where students apply classroom knowledge to address real-world needs and gain valuable experiences. These projects are designed to be meaningful for both students and the community, fostering civic responsibility and personal growth.

Simply completing an internship or service-learning project is not enough to satisfy the MAS culminating experience requirement. In addition to those activities, a written product must be composed. It can take the form of a Research Project (see previous section) or one or more of the products described in the section below. Additionally, it could take its own unique form, for example a museum exhibit. It must be accompanied by a written document that details the goals, steps, and outcomes of the project. The written product type, length, format should be decided upon in consultation with the student’s Graduate Committee.

Option 3: Professional Products.

Students who choose this option are required to submit a minimum of two of the products described below. These should be agreed upon by your committee chair prior to undertaking any of these activities.

A. Respond to Request for Proposal: A respond to request for proposal, or RFP, refers to the formal response a potential grant recipient (e.g., a nonprofit, research institution, or company) submits to a funding opportunity, outlining how they propose to use the grant money to achieve specific goals. It is essentially a detailed proposal that demonstrates how the organization understands the needs outlined in the funding request and how they will effectively deliver the proposed project.

Key Components: (these could vary)

Executive Summary: A concise overview of the project, its goals, and the organization's approach.

Problem Statement: Clearly articulates the issue the project aims to address.

Goals and Objectives: Specific and measurable targets the project aims to achieve.

Methodology: Details how the project will be implemented, including activities, timelines, and resources.

Budget: A detailed breakdown of how the grant money will be allocated.

Evaluation Plan: How the project's impact will be measured and assessed.

Organization Profile: Information about the organization's experience, qualifications, and capacity to deliver the project.

B. Executive Summary: An executive summary is a concise overview of a longer document, like a business plan or report, designed to provide busy readers with a quick understanding of the key points and recommendations. It should be short, clear, and focused on the most important information

Example Structure:

Introduction: Briefly state the purpose of the document and the key problem or opportunity.

Key Findings: Summarize the main points and data that support the conclusions.

Recommendations: Present the proposed solutions or actions.

Value/Impact: Explain the benefits and expected outcomes of the recommendations.

Conclusion: Restate the key takeaways and provide a call to action.

C. Portfolio: A professional portfolio is a curated collection of your best work, experiences, and achievements designed to showcase your skills and capabilities to potential employers or clients. It serves as a visual representation of your capabilities, going beyond a resume to provide tangible evidence of your abilities.

Examples of what to include in a portfolio:

Work samples: Demonstrating your skills through examples of your best work.

Case studies: Providing in-depth analyses of projects you have worked on, showcasing your problem-solving abilities.

Certificates and awards: Recognizing your accomplishments and certifications.

Testimonials: Including positive feedback from professors or colleagues.

Personal projects: Showcasing your creativity and initiative outside of your professional role.

D. Extensive Literature Review: An extensive literature review is a comprehensive and critical examination of existing research, publications, and other relevant materials on a specific topic. It aims to provide a thorough overview of the current knowledge base, identify gaps in research, and establish the context for a new research project or inquiry. Essentially, it is a detailed synthesis of existing literature to inform and contextualize new research.

Example format:

Comprehensive Coverage: Includes a wide range of relevant sources, such as academic articles, books, conference papers, and dissertations.

Critical Evaluation: Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, identifying biases, limitations, and inconsistencies.

Synthesis: Combines and summarizes findings from multiple sources to create a coherent narrative.

Interpretation: Adds the researcher's own interpretation and insights to the existing literature.

E. Strategic Plan: A strategic plan is a comprehensive document that outlines an organization's long-term goals and how it will achieve them. It serves as a roadmap, guiding decision-making and resource allocation to align with the organization's vision, mission, and values.

Example Elements of a Strategic Plan:

Vision: A statement of the desired future state of the organization.

Mission: A concise statement of the organization's purpose and why it exists.

SWOT Analysis: An assessment of internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats.

Goals: Broad, long-term aspirations that the organization wants to achieve.

Objectives: Measurable, specific, and time-bound steps to achieve the goals.

Strategies: The overall plans and approaches to achieve the objectives.

Action Plans: Detailed steps and timelines for implementing the strategies

F. External Conference Presentation and Summary: A conference presentation is a formal way to share information, research, or ideas with an audience in a conference setting. It often includes a speaker, visual aids (like slides), and may also be a formal meeting with several participants discussing a particular topic. The presentation can be oral presentations, poster presentations, panel discussions, or other formats depending on the conference and the topic. If you choose this product, the presentation and a concise summary that captures the main points and key takeaways of the presentation must be submitted.

The professional products listed here are not an exhaustive list; the final projects and product(s) of the MAS Culminating Experience could be additional items beyond what is listed here, if they are approved by the student’s Graduate Committee and the Program Director(s). For example, a critical essay including an extensive literature review, an extensive case study, or an extensive evaluation of a program, project, or plan could be completed as part of an internship or service-learning experience. The requirements of the Culminating Experience could also be met by an original piece of work in some other form, such as computer code or a program, if it is accompanied by a written summary. A co-authored manuscript that will be sent to a peer-reviewed journal could also fulfill this requirement.

The student’s Graduate Committee and the Program Director(s) should be consulted early in the process to determine the best options for the student to achieve their academic goals.