The capstone project in college is the apogee, or completion marker, of a student’s coursework leading to the culmination of their program with a degree in their chosen field of study.
The original definition of a capstone focuses on the actual stone placed at the top of a wall or building, marking the successful completion of the structure. It is a significant and celebrated piece of architecture, considered to be the most important of an entire construction project.
Similarly, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Associate Dean of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences Dr. Jeff Czarnec called the academic capstone project, whether in an undergraduate or graduate program, “the apex of all a student’s work done throughout their college career.”
There is an expectation that they have all the necessary skills and knowledge coming into the capstone course to be successful. “At this point, students have managed to pass all their course work leading up to the capstone,” said Dr. Thomas MacCarty, associate dean of social sciences programsat SNHU. “It is the culmination of everything that has happened to them as students.”
Students have the opportunity to pick a research topic that is of interest to them and run with it. “After having to write research papers in all of their courses prior to [the capstone], the task is not one to dread, but to enjoy. It is their time to shine as students and to enjoy the journey,” MacCarty said.
The capstone is much more important than a requirement and three credits. It can serve as an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge mastery and creative thinking, which may help a graduate stand out from others vying for the same job.
What is Involved in a Capstone Project?
While each university, program, and instructor may have different requirements – or models – for a capstone project, a general design includes first presenting a topic of interest to be approved by the 
instructor. According to Czarnec, depending on the program, a capstone may include anything from a video presentation or an architectural model, to an art exhibit or short film; however, the capstone almost always includes some sort of paper demonstrating an introduction, theory, evaluation, research and individual issues relevant to the proposal.
“Students are expected to be ready to enter the world as professionals in their field upon completion of the capstone course,” said MacCarty.
As in many other university courses, the capstone is research-based; the difference being that the student chooses the topic early on, allowing them more freedom to conduct research on their own, unlike in other courses which are more guided. Capstone topics align with the specific discipline of program study. In the social sciences realm, “our focus is on human behavior and cognition, which may be different from a capstone course in business or STEM,” MacCarty said.
In a nutshell, a rough outline of a capstone, according to Czarnec, looks something like this:
- Select a topic and have it approved by the instructor
- Evaluate relevance to the proposal
- Perform necessary research
- Present results in the agreed upon fashion
Are Capstone Projects Difficult?
“Not necessarily,” said Czarnec. “It does force you to be efficient and very specific to topic. No fluff. Straight forward. Razor sharp. The capstone is more of an opportunity to catch your breath, retrace and pull up what you have learned in a more stress-free environment. It helps validate students as learners.”
Depending upon the major and course requirements, there may be opportunities to match students with outside contacts, not only to assist with the capstone project research and problem statement, but to also provide a networking community.
“Not every research project is, nor should they be, the same,” Czarnec said. “Everyone has a different approach.”
What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Capstone Project?
A capstone is similar to a thesis in that the starting point involves strengths that one needs for a thesis or dissertation work. A student needs to think about the skeletal structure of research and form their theory, hypothesis, and problem statement.
“While a capstone is certainly a scholarly piece of work and does share some aspects of a thesis,” said MacCarty. “The time and detail that is required of a master’s thesis is greater.”
A capstone paper may be 25 pages, where a thesis could be 100 or more, and is a more demanding research paper. If an undergraduate student chooses to further their education and enter into a doctoral program, the capstone project could be an invaluable tool in preparing for a thesis.
It’s All About Student Success
According to Czarnec, capstones of all programs are leading students to the end game. The goal is to develop well-rounded thinkers who can pull their work together in a coherent, articulate, well-organized fashion, while considering the demands of the profession or vocation in which they are interested.
The focus and intent of a capstone should be to create an effective device to assess and measure all that the students have learned throughout their program in an aggregate fashion so they can demonstrate their life-long vocational skills in a nice, neat package. “My goal is for students to leave the program confident about their skills and abilities,” said Czarnec.
According to MacCarty, capstone courses should be structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements and allow them the opportunity to showcase their academic abilities and skills gained throughout their degree program.
Laurie Smith '14is a writer, editor and communications specialist. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
FAQs
What is a Capstone Project in College? ›
The capstone project is usually the final assignment and plays a vital role in preparing students for the world of work thanks to its practical applications and ability to help hone students' professional knowledge and skills.
What is an example of a capstone project? ›Capstone project examples
Analyze soil samples from different areas or over time; study the population of a local animal; experiment with plants and seeding; run a summer camp for children to encourage science and outdoor exploration; found a community garden.
“Capstones are too easy.”
Rather, they are rigorous, well-rounded academic undertakings. Capstones require research, community input, analysis, experimentation, public speaking and a formal presentation. Many educators compare the project to a National Science Fair presentation—or better yet, a Master's dissertation.
- Select a topic and have it approved by the instructor.
- Evaluate relevance to the proposal.
- Perform necessary research.
- Present results in the agreed upon fashion.
Still, if you take Capstone, aspects of the program—especially the long research paper—will likely look desirable to most colleges. The independent research AP Capstone requires could be the topic of a college essay or at least something substantial to talk about in an interview.
Is a capstone project like a thesis? ›A capstone project attempts to address an issue in the field by applying existing knowledge toward a real-life problem (often in the form of fieldwork). A thesis seeks to create new knowledge through student research, trying to prove or argue a hypothesis, rather than just investigate a topic.
Is capstone project a thesis? ›They both follow a similar basic format and represent a scholarly effort of high quality. However, practice-based programs can use a capstone project to emphasize preparation of the student for professional practice. In contrast, a thesis is an academic-focused research project with broader applicability.
Can you fail a capstone course? ›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. Other schools could require you to revise your capstone project until it's approved or you receive a passing grade.
How many people fail capstone? ›Fail rate: 87.03%.
What is a passing grade for capstone? ›To pass the Capstone Exam course and earn a certificate, you need to achieve a total score of at least 50%.
How long does a capstone project take? ›
How Long Does a Capstone Project Usually Take to Complete? This will vary from program to program and can be as few as 10 weeks to as many as two semesters depending on the requirements of the program. It is most common for graduate programs to require a capstone project course that lasts for one semester.
How do you pick a capstone topic? ›Choosing a topic
For a capstone or thesis topic consider: Issues that are relevant to your workplace, classroom experience, or career goals. A topic that has caught your eye in your textbook, a journal article, or an issue that you explored for previous classwork or projects and would like to pursue further.
Capstone projects are generally designed to encourage students to think critically, solve challenging problems, and develop skills such as oral communication, public speaking, research skills, media literacy, teamwork, planning, self-sufficiency, or goal setting—i.e., skills that will help prepare them for college, ...
What are the common questions in capstone project? ›- What is the Capstone Project/Course? ...
- What are some of the advantages for students? ...
- How big are the project teams? ...
- Where do projects come from? ...
- What background will the students bring to the Capstone Project? ...
- What is the process for getting a project submitted as a potential Capstone Project?
Capstone Project grading
Other Capstone Projects are automatically graded or graded by experts. In some Specializations, you will be evaluated only on your final project submission. In other Specializations, you will get separate grades for each section of the project.
Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:
Stand out to colleges in the application process. Develop key academic skills they'll use in other classes, college, and beyond. Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers. Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.
No, not all colleges require capstone research projects. Additionally, some schools and programs may only make them mandatory in certain instances, such as specific degree levels or majors. Generally, a thesis or similar research experience is more common for graduate degrees than undergraduate degrees.
Should I put my capstone project on my resume? ›A capstone, thesis or senior project can be included if your major had one. ←WORK EXPERIENCE: Use action verbs to describe your experience.
Does a capstone have to be a paper? ›A capstone course is not always a paper, though a paper is often a piece of it. Art students may put on exhibitions of their work, while other students will have to pass an oral examination, defend their thesis to a group of professors, or complete a book.
Is there a difference between research and capstone? ›Research projects focus more on developing or proposing theories, whereas capstone projects focus more on achieving tangible or intangible results through research.
What is the difference between a capstone project and a dissertation? ›
However, capstone projects differ from dissertations in that they do not follow the five-chapter format, and can take multiple forms–for example, a new curriculum for students, a teacher or staff training plan, a new piece of software that addresses a learning need, or an in-depth research paper on solutions to a ...
How long is the average capstone? ›In most cases, the capstone project will be an interdisciplinary study of approximately 25-35 pages in length that demonstrates graduate level research and writing skills.
How long is the capstone test? ›Duration of capstone assessment includes:
one full working day to complete, with the practical component representing about 70% of the whole test, e.g. written test 2-3 hours and practical test 4-6 hours.
The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the USA since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.
How many hours is a capstone? ›HOW MANY HOURS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE? The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requires the length of the doctoral capstone experience to be a minimum of 14 weeks (560 hours).
What happens if you don't pass capstone? ›If you have failed your capstone course, or a combination of a comprehensive exam and a capstone course attempt, you are no longer eligible for degree conferral.
Does your capstone project matter? ›Why Capstone Projects Matter. Capstone projects provide students with the opportunity to experience real-world issues in their chosen field and demonstrate workforce readiness. A college graduate can share their capstone with potential employers to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities.
What's the lowest passing grade in college? ›At most schools, a D is the lowest passing grade. That means students who earn a D or higher receive credit for the course. However, some schools set special policies around D grades. For example, at Lehigh, a D counts as a passing grade but does not meet prerequisite requirements.
How many questions are on the Capstone assessment? ›What will the Capstone Experience Exam look like? Your Capstone Experience Exam will be composed of 125 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are scored and 25 of which are not scored, that ask you to apply the knowledge you have gained in your designation courses.
What is a passing GPA in college? ›Undergraduate students need to have a minimum of 2.0 GPA while graduate students need a 3.0 GPA. While most universities use this standard grading system, each institution differs in the way they grade students as shown by varying GPAs.
What should students do before they start their capstone? ›
Before you start working on your project, it is essential to do your research. This will help you better understand the problem you are trying to solve and give you direction on how to solve it. Not doing your research can lead to wasted time and effort spent on something that may not even be possible to solve.
What makes a good capstone project? ›The best Capstone proposals are important but not urgent; achievable within the academic time frame and with the resources available; provide a clear definition of the problem or issue to be addressed; have a realistic scope; and specify tangible deliverables for the Capstone team to provide.
What does a capstone presentation look like? ›A capstone presentation is an opportunity for a college student to demonstrate his knowledge of the course topic, his field of study or his educational institution. The culminating presentation, typically based on a research paper, is given before a school committee, a board of professors or a classroom of peers.
What should I include in my capstone presentation? ›Introduce yourself ▪ Discuss your post-graduation goals – your plans for after high school and possible future options. Describe your Capstone journey – goal, focus question, action plan and outcome: what you learned about your topic, yourself and about goal setting.
What is the best capstone title? ›- Evaluation of free clinic process.
- The role of project management in effective political campaigns.
- The practice of ethical thinking in administration.
- Modern strategies for rate of return and capital investment.
- The importance of conflict administration for big companies.
1. Time: The presentation should be 5 to 7 minutes in length. 2. Multimedia: A PowerPoint or Prezi may be used to help structure the Capstone Experience Oral Presentation.
What is another word for capstone? ›| peak | pinnacle |
|---|---|
| climax | height |
| summit | top |
| apogee | culmination |
| acme | crest |
“Can I connect you with someone who might be better able to answer your question?” “I don't know, but I'd be happy to look into that and get back to you with an answer.”
What to expect in a capstone course? ›In a capstone course, students synthesize, integrate, and/or apply their previous knowledge, rather than acquire new knowledge or skills. Students demonstrate mastery, not learn new knowledge/skills. A capstone should occur near the end of the program.
What is a capstone project in simple words? ›Capstone Project Definition. A Capstone Project is a multifaceted body of work that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.
What is the difference between a capstone project and a normal project? ›
A capstone course has expectations similar to a project. The difference is that the scope of the project is defined so that the results can be achieved within a semester. Also, students work with the instructor of the course (or another faculty member, if required) rather than a faculty committee.
Is a capstone project difficult? ›While a project of this scope and scale can be challenging, it can also be very rewarding. The capstone project is usually the final assignment and plays a vital role in preparing students for the world of work thanks to its practical applications and ability to help hone students' professional knowledge and skills.
Is capstone seminar hard? ›AP Seminar forms part of the Capstone Diploma Program in tandem with AP Research. Alumnae reviews rate AP Seminar as moderately difficult but are divided on the usefulness of the course and skills developed.
How many AP classes do you need for capstone? ›The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing.
What are the 4 capstone project elements? ›- Parts of a Scientific & Scholarly Paper.
- Title.
- Abstract.
- Introduction.
- Methods.
- Results.
- Discussion.
- In depth research projects.
- Product or service concepts.
- Performances or expositions.
- Designed experiments.
A capstone course has expectations similar to a project. The difference is that the scope of the project is defined so that the results can be achieved within a semester. Also, students work with the instructor of the course (or another faculty member, if required) rather than a faculty committee.
What is a successful capstone project? ›The best Capstone proposals are important but not urgent; achievable within the academic time frame and with the resources available; provide a clear definition of the problem or issue to be addressed; have a realistic scope; and specify tangible deliverables for the Capstone team to provide.
How do I choose a topic for a capstone project? ›Choosing a topic
For a capstone or thesis topic consider: Issues that are relevant to your workplace, classroom experience, or career goals. A topic that has caught your eye in your textbook, a journal article, or an issue that you explored for previous classwork or projects and would like to pursue further.
The length of a good capstone project proposal should be between 1 and 4 pages. Anything longer is discouraged unless your instructor says otherwise. Thus, refine it until it is concise, clear, and direct.
Is capstone project the same as final year project? ›
A capstone project is mainly a two-semester project that is conducted in the final year of graduation, where students are supposed to independently or collectively research their topic of interest and participate in debates on relevant topics to gain deep knowledge in the subject.
Can you fail a capstone project? ›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. Other schools could require you to revise your capstone project until it's approved or you receive a passing grade.
What is another word for capstone project? ›Also called a capstone experience, culminating project, or senior exhibition, among many other terms, a capstone project is a multifaceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students, typically during their final year of high school or middle school, or at the end of an ...
What is another name for capstone project? ›A capstone might be called a culmination project, senior thesis, or a final exhibition.
What is capstone project in simple words? ›Capstone Project Definition. A Capstone Project is a multifaceted body of work that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.
Why is it called capstone project? ›The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the USA since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.