NYU SPS lobby with students

NYU SPS Capstone Program

About the Competition

NYU School of Professional Studies’ Capstone Program provides our graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in complex, real-world environments. The final product exemplifies the volume and depth of theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom.

The annual Spring Capstone Competition features projects that embody SPS's innovative spirit. We invite all graduates from the current academic year (Summer, Fall, and Spring) to apply. Students can apply via a submission form that opens in February each year and faculty will be able to nominate individuals or teams.

Once submissions are in, our Academic Directors will review and select participants from each division and these individuals/teams will present at the Capstone Competition. The competition will yield between eight to twelve winning projects, from each academic unit and Real World.

Capstone Competition logo

Capstone Structure

Step 1: Submit your nomination or Capstone materials. If you are nominated by a faculty member, a member of our Capstone Competition planning team will reach out to you to collect your materials.

Step 2: Finalists from each division will be selected to participate in the Capstone Competition. Finalists will be notified about 10 days prior to the competition.

Step 3: Finalists will be given a table at our Capstone Competition to present their projects to our judges.

Step 4: Our judges will select winners from each division/degree program and Real World. Winners will be notified a week before the Capstone Celebration lunch.

Step 5: Winners will attend a Capstone Celebration lunch and receive a gift card and certificate of achievement which will be followed by an awards lunch reception.

Awards

The selected winners will earn the same prize, a $100 gift card, a division specific certificate, and a special celebration lunch. The winning Capstones will also be published to the Faculty Digital Archive.

Capstone Competition - Spring 2025

Save the date for our Spring 2025 Capstone Competition, which will be held on May 2, 2025. 

Highlights from the 2024 Capstone Competition

Highlights from the 2023 Capstone Competition

We look forward to seeing your submissions for our Spring Capstone Competition. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail or by phone at 212-998-7002. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How beneficial is a Capstone to my resume?

Will I be assigned a faculty leader/mentor for my Capstone?

Can I work with other students while doing a Capstone?

Can I pick any topic related to my course of study for my Capstone? Does it need faculty approval?