Which Client-Based Project is Right for Your Organization?

GSPP offers three client-based projects

All projects take place during the spring semester (January - May), which is 15 weeks long.

Introduction to Policy Analysis (IPA)

• An IPA team consists of 3-5 first-year MPP student consultants with some guidance from a faculty coach.
• 300 to 500 total student hours on the project, depending on the number of students on the team. 
• MPP students bring a semester (approximately 16 credits) of coursework in microeconomics, statistics and data analysis, policy analysis, legal and political analysis, the political economy of inequality, public management and implementation, and courses on topical areas.
• Clients expected to reimburse the student consultants for incidental expenses including travel, conference registration fees, phone calls, photocopies, etc.
• During the preceding fall, IPA instructors work with potential clients to develop projects. Several criteria apply, including a match with student interests, project scope, and analytic challenge.  Projects are fully formed by early December when students form project teams for the spring course. (A few projects selected by faculty for the “IPA menu” fail to gain enough student interest to form a team.  These projects can then be added to the APA and CAP lists of projects for consideration by MPP and MPA students, although the chances of a student selecting the project at that late date are not high.)

Advanced Policy Analysis (APA) and Capstone (CAP) Projects

Prospective clients need not worry much about the differences between APA and CAP projects. The main difference is in the number of credit hours students receive, which is tied to the expected work hours. We have found that proposals work well for either APA or CAP projects, so we encourage students to inquire with clients about whether or not a proposal they are considering can be scaled up into an APA, or scaled back into a shorter CAP.

• One (1) graduating student consultant with some guidance from a faculty member
• APA: Each student consultant will spend approximately 18 hours per week (270 hours total), representing 6 credit hours. Student consultants may choose to add an additional 3 units, which translates to approximately 30 hours per week (450 hours total), representing a total of 9 credit hours).
  
  CAP: Each student consultant will spend a total of 10 to 15 hours per week (120 to 240 hours total, representing 4 credit hours).
• MPP students doing the APA have completed 3 semesters (approximately 40 credits) of coursework including: microeconomics, statistics and data analysis, policy analysis, legal and political analysis; political economy of inequality; public management and implementation; courses on topical areas; plus a summer policy internship. 
• MPA students are mid-career, with, anywhere from 6 to 30 years (on average, 11 years) of professional experience in settings that span consulting, government, military, philanthropy, social policy, the arts and tech.  Many already have an advanced degree, and have completed 20 to 30 credits of GSPP courses with a focus on leadership and analytic and strategic thinking and including coursework in economics and quantitative methods.
• The School takes no position on compensation, and while these projects are not considered employment, many students have been compensated for their projects (on average $8000 for the entire project) - with some clients paying more. Compensation amount and method is negotiated directly between the student consultant and the client. In addition, clients are expected to reimburse student consultants for project-related expenses - whether or not the project is paid.
• The client and student consultant directly negotiate project goals and tasks. The final project topic and scope is subject to faculty approval to ensure that it meets academic requirements.
• GSPP faculty do not match student consultants with APA or CAP projects. A majority of proposals submitted are ultimately accepted by student consultants and completed.
• For more information about APA: 
  Cecille Cabacungan
  Managing Director of Career & Alumni Services and
  Ph.D. Admissions & Student Affairs Advisor
  Phone: (510) 642-1303
  cecille@berkeley.edu
  
  For more information about CAPAnnie Campbell Washington

Senior Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Dean of Students

Phone: 510-642-6318

acw@berkeley.edu

Submit APA or CAP Proposal