11/01/2025

Call for UIC Capstone-Project Proposals, Spring 2026

Does your organization have a project it wants done but no time to do it? 

• Perhaps you collected data that has gone unanalyzed or need a literature review?
• Perhaps you would like to develop a needs assessment, analyze program ideas, or research an implementation plan for possible solutions?
• Perhaps you have a project postponed due to a lack of resources?

If not, share this information with someone who does! UIC can help this spring! 

Capstone projects are learning in action.

The Capstone provides BA in Urban Studies students at UIC with experiences that allow them to integrate classroom learning with a relevant problem-solving experience in a professional work situation. Over the course of one semester, senior-level Urban Studies students work in teams to address urban issues, organizational challenges, identify opportunities for a client organization, conduct research on a pressing management issue, and analyze data. Capstone projects contribute to students’ professional training, offer organizations the opportunity to access student expertise, and strengthen the relationships between UIC and organizations around the city, state, and region. 

The UIC Department of Urban Planning and Policy requires all graduating BA in Urban Studies students to complete the capstone course. This course gives students the opportunity to work on practical problems and to apply their new skills to work with local organizations. The Capstone course requires students to apply their learning in a real-world work setting.

The Capstone class is a fifteen-week course. Students enroll in the course during the last two semesters of the BA in Urban Studies program at which point they have successfully completed essential statistics, research, policy analysis and introduction to urban planning classes. Students work together in groups, usually of 4 – 6 students, on projects proposed by organizations in the non-profit or government sector.

Capstone Timeline

• November 1, 2025 - Call-for-proposals process begins. Organizations interested in an BA in Urban Studies Capstone Project must submit a BA in Urban Studies Capstone Proposal. Click here for the application form.
• December 8, 2025 - Deadline for proposal submission.
• December 29, 2025 - Client-partners notified of Capstone award or rejection.
• Week of January 12, 2025 - Students assigned to Capstone teams are expected to contact capstone project sponsors shortly thereafter.
• Late January - Successful applicants are expected to meet with students. Students will draft a group work plan, adjust the plan if needed, and request applicant's signature to acknowledge that the work plan has been reviewed by the applicant.
• Week of April 27th 2026 - Capstone presentations to client-partners and invited guests

Ideal Capstone Proposals

• Are achievable within the framework of one academic semester (approximately 12 weeks - to allow enough time for a final presentation and any revisions the organization may request)
• Have a clear definition of the problem or issue being addressed.
• Are specific about what the Capstone team is to accomplish or deliver, which should include a formal report.
• Require the use of data collection and analytical skills.
• Have the support of organizational leadership, including a contact person at the agency who will act as the point person for the project. This includes a weekly email or zoom check-in with students and a periodic check-in with the instructor. 

Things to Consider

• We might receive more proposals than we can accommodate given the number of available student teams, or proposed projects may require particular skills that are not represented among students taking the course. Thus, we cannot guarantee that a proposal will be chosen. However, projects can be reconsidered the following year.
• All Capstone client-partners must designate one person in the organization who will act as the project liaison. The project liaison is expected to act as the main contact person to the Capstone Team.
• Students’ will produce a formal report and present their findings to the client -partners at the end of the semester. Reports and presentations should describe the project’s purpose, methodology, key insights and recommendations.
• The final work produced by the Capstone team is owned by the Capstone client- partner organization. However, the UIC Department of Urban Planning and Policy will publicly list the organization as a client-partner, keep copies of all Capstone teams’ final reports, and include a brief project description in the Capstone promotional materials. Students will be allowed to use the work produced for their Capstone client in pursuit of their academic or professional careers.

Application Form 

Organizations must complete and submit a written project proposal for consideration. Click here for the application form or contact Dr. Keisha Farmer-Smith at kfarme1@uic.edu. Complete forms can be submitted to Dr. Farmer-Smith as well.