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College comes with so many requirements, it can be hard to keep track. For instance, if you’re applying to school or are currently in a degree program, you’ve probably heard the term “capstone course.”
Capstone courses are important and often required to complete a degree, especially at the graduate and postgraduate levels. But what is a capstone course? Read on to learn what it’s all about.
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What Is the Difference Between a Capstone Course and a Capstone Project?
A capstone course allows college students to demonstrate expertise in their major or area of study. This course is typically required for graduation. Details can vary depending on the major, program and school. Capstone courses typically last at least a semester and sometimes include internships or volunteering.
A capstone course typically involves a project such as a final paper, a portfolio, a performance, an investigation, a film or a multimedia presentation. Some programs use the term “capstone project” instead of capstone course.
Details regarding your capstone project depend on your major. Journalism majors might complete long-term investigation projects, for example, and architecture students may design a building or bridge.
Is a Capstone Course Required?
Not all colleges require capstone courses, and some might only require capstone courses for certain majors or programs. For instance, The University of California, Los Angeles offers 73 undergraduate majors that include a capstone course or project for most students.
Pro Tip
Reach out to an advisor at your current school or an admissions representative at a prospective institution to find out if a capstone course is required for the program you’re interested in.
Benefits of a Capstone Course
Here’s how a capstone course can enhance your higher learning experience.
Increases Confidence
Taking on a big, longer-term academic or professional project can be very challenging. So when you complete a capstone project, it can provide a confidence boost by demonstrating to yourself and your peers, professors and future employers what you’re capable of accomplishing in your field of study.
Develops Skills
Since capstone projects are hands-on, they allow you to hone existing skills in your field and develop some new ones. Some capstone projects require you to work in a group, which adds another layer of collaborative soft skills for you to fall back on in your professional and personal life.
Prepares You for Graduation
Learning by doing, as they say, is the best way to find out if something is right for you. Since a capstone project involves using skills from your field to create a product that mimics the professional version of what you’d like to do after school, this prepares you for the workforce in a practical way.
On the other hand, a capstone course can also be a good way to decide that a career isn’t the right fit for you. If you don’t enjoy the process of the capstone project, you might not like the corresponding career after graduation, either.
Builds Your Résumé
Since most capstone courses culminate with a project, you can expect your capstone to give you an example of your work to show to potential employers when you start job hunting. Some capstone courses even distribute awards to the creators of the best capstone projects, which could translate to another accolade to add to your résumé.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Capstone Courses
What does a capstone course consist of?
A capstone course can include lectures and feedback from a professor, plus time to work on a final paper, project, film or performance. A capstone project may be independent or a group project.
Why is it called a capstone course?
The term comes from the final “capstone” used to finish a monument or building. The word has been commonly used in U.S. higher education since post-World War II. As in architecture, a capstone in education can be thought of as the crown jewel of your educational accomplishments.
Can you fail a capstone course?
Yes, you can fail a capstone course. However, failing a capstone course at some universities could disqualify you from graduating from that particular major or program. At other schools, you may not be allowed to submit your capstone project until your department chair or advisor is confident you can achieve a passing grade.
