Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Practicum & Capstone

The Practicum and Capstone Program provides students with a real-world, team-based learning experience that builds professional skills, industry connections, and practical problem-solving abilities. Students are expected to commit fully to their assigned project, demonstrate professionalism and accountability, maintain clear and timely communication, and contribute equitably to all team responsibilities. Active participation in meetings, workshops, and deliverables is required, and both individual and group contributions will be visible to faculty, teammates, and industry partners. Failure to meet these commitments may impact both individual grades and overall team performance.

Prior to registration, students must complete an interest form sent out by the Graduate Business Programs Office. Students should be aware that dropping a Practicum or Capstone course after the designated deadline will result in a penalty. All students are required to attend two workshops organized by the Graduate Business Program Career Service Team. The first workshop will focus on team dynamics, effective collaboration, and communication strategies. The second workshop will cover essential project presentation skills, including structuring presentations, engaging audiences, and delivering clear, impactful messages. These workshops are designed to enhance students' teamwork and communication abilities, which are critical for success in their careers.

Registering Process

Students will be notified in the first week of the Fall Quarter and only have two weeks from the notice to submit their interest in participating and enrolling in the following Cycles:

Winter-Spring Practicum (Applicable to MSBA, Online MSBA, MSIS, MSFA, Online MSFA) – recommended
Winter-Spring Capstone (Applicable to MSBA, Online MSBA, MSIS) – recommended
Summer-Fall Practicum (Applicable to MSBA, Online MSBA, MSIS, MSFA, Online MSFA) – not guaranteed
Summer-Fall Capstone (Applicable to MSBA, Online MSBA, MSIS) – not guaranteed
Spring Capstone (Applicable to MSFA, Online MSFA)
Fall Capstone (Applicable to MSFA, Online MSFA)

Cycles are subjected to change based on availability. Students are not allowed to change their selection after the deadline has passed.

MS Business Analytics & MS Information Systems Description

Practicum

In this option, students collaborate in teams with a sponsoring company to address business problems related to analytics or information technology, as covered in their program. Working closely with company employees, managers, and executives, students are guided by a faculty advisor throughout the process. They take full responsibility for the project, from defining requirements to implementation. Along the way, students build valuable relationships with their project team members, faculty mentors, and leaders in the sponsoring company. This option spans a minimum of two quarters and is designed as a single, project-oriented course. Students are encouraged to choose this option over the capstone.

The student team will define the problem, conduct a feasibility study, analyze the issue, design a solution, and implement it to meet the needs of the sponsoring company. Participation is competitive, with a limited number of projects available each year. The process is as follows:

Teams, made up of four or five students, are assigned to a project by the Practicum Program Manager.
The program team registers students on their behalf for Practicum projects.
The student team and faculty advisor meet as needed to discuss progress, address questions, and ensure the project stays on track.
This option spans two quarters, during which students are expected to dedicate five to six hours per week.
The project is considered finished when all milestones are achieved and both the faculty advisor and the sponsoring company have signed off on the final report.
Students review Practicum project abstracts and respond to the selection poll indicating their top preferences plus a response to the skills inventory

The Practicum Program Manager will select the student teams based on the selection poll plus a review of student resumes. We do our best to provide students with their top project preference, but cannot guarantee team placements
A team is made up of four or five students. The Program Director assigns a faculty advisor to the project. The team is registered for the corresponding course (2 units for the first portion of the cycle, 4 units for the second portion of the cycle).
In coordination with the sponsoring company, the team defines the problem and performs a feasibility study. The team develops a formal project plan with specific milestones and begins the process of creating a final project plan for presentation and approval of the sponsored client.
The program team registers students for completing the course in the next subsequent quarter. The student team and the advisor meet as needed to discuss the project, address questions, and assess progress toward completion.
The student team should complete the project over two quarters. A project is considered complete when all its milestones are achieved, and the advisor and the sponsoring company have accepted the final project report. A formal sign-off by the sponsoring company is required. A grade is assigned for each quarter of the Practicum.

Capstone

Capstone projects, while similar in structure to the practicum, differ in their focus. These projects may involve internal University initiatives, faculty-led collaborations with industry partners, or work with non-profit organizations. Through this option, students fulfill their experiential learning requirement by contributing to business analytics or information technology projects that match their interests. Designed with flexibility in mind, capstone projects typically offer remote work options and schedule team meetings around student availability—making them especially suitable for those with existing employment or who cannot attend weekly on-campus sessions. Please note that NDAs may be required for both capstone and practicum projects.

MS Finance & Analytics Description

Practicum

The practicum project for MSFA students follows a similar structure to that of the MS in Business Analytics and MS in Information Systems programs. However, the process for MSFA students differs slightly, as outlined below:

Teams, made up of four or five students, are assigned to a project by the Practicum Program Manager.
The program team registers students on their behalf for Practicum projects.
The student team and faculty advisor meet as needed to discuss progress, address questions, and ensure the project stays on track.
This option spans two quarters, during which students are expected to dedicate five to six hours per week.
The project is considered finished when all milestones are achieved and both the faculty advisor and the sponsoring company have signed off on the final report
The Practicum Program Manager will assign students to teams based on area of interest preference selection poll plus a review of students resumes and undergraduate major. We do our best to provide students with placement in their top interest preference, but cannot guarantee team placements. The Program Director assigns a faculty advisor to the project. The team is registered for the corresponding course (2 units for the first portion of the cycle, 2 units for the second portion of the cycle).
In coordination with the sponsoring company, the team defines the problem and performs a feasibility study. The team develops a formal project plan with specific milestones and begins the process of creating a final project plan for presentation and approval of the sponsored client.
The program team registers students for completing the course in the next subsequent quarter. The student team and the advisor meet as needed to discuss the project, address questions, and assess progress toward completion.
The student team should complete the project over two quarters. A project is considered complete when all its milestones are achieved, and the advisor and the sponsoring company have accepted the final project report. A formal sign-off by the sponsoring company is required. A grade is assigned for each quarter of the Practicum.