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- The difference between a dissertation and doctoral capstone
May 30, 2023
Estimated reading time:3-4 minutes
If youâve been researching doctoral degrees, you may notice that virtually all PhD programs require a dissertation, while some professional doctorates require a doctoral capstone or an alternative doctoral project.
So, whatâs the difference between the two?
What do a dissertation and doctoral capstone have in common?
All doctoral programs help prepare students to contribute evidence-based practice in their field. Students learn to apply leadership principles and strategies that promote community support, diversity and individuality in the workplace, and the community.
Completing either a dissertation or a doctoral capstone requires intense preparation and a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking. Both culminate in a final document or project that demonstrates a broadened knowledge of relevant theory and practice.
What are the main differences between a dissertation and a doctoral capstone?
The Capella doctoral experience offers a good comparison of the two types of final project.
The Capella dissertation is a traditional five-chapter research document that youâll develop as you work with a faculty mentor and dissertation committee members. Itâs meant to be a work of high-quality academic research that contributes to your field of study.
The doctoral capstone can take many different forms depending on your program, your specialization or area of interest within your subject and other variables. Working with a faculty mentor and committee, youâll complete a project that offers solutions or improvements to a real-world problem relevant to your field of study.
Capellaâs Dissertation and Doctoral Capstone Experience
- Project focus
- Project deliverable
- Deliverable detail
Doctoral Capstone
- Extends or applies research to solve a real-world problem
- Provides a solution to a problem within a specific organizational setting
- Presents the results in a deliverable (paper, product, or portfolio) and a final report that describes the creation of the deliverable
Dissertation
- Involves a quest for new knowledge to solve a real-world problem
- Addresses a research problem in one field of specialization
- Involves either quantitative or qualitative research methods
Doctoral Capstone
- Paper, Product or Portfolio
Dissertation
- Dissertation
Doctoral Capstone
- Paper
- Action research
- Evaluation
- Clinical Research Paper
- Product
- Program Curriculum
- Change Management Plan
- Portfolio and Final Report
- Program Curriculum
- Change Management Plan
Dissertation
- 5 chapters
- Chapter 1. Introduction and Statement of the Problem
- Chapter 2. Literature Review
- Chapter 3. Methodology
- Chapter 4. Data Analysis and Results
- Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations
Ready to explore the doctoral path that could work best for you? Capella University offers PhD and professional doctorate degree programs ranging from business and education to health care and technology.
Learn more about Capellaâs online doctoral programs.
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