A capstone experience is a complex assignment that involves many steps and serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience at the end of an academic program. Typically, capstones provide evidence of synthesis and evaluation. The capstone experience may comprise a comprehensive written or oral examination, thesis or research paper, portfolio, creative work, internship, or some combination of these courses. 

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required for research involving human subjects. In addition, both the supervising faculty member and the student researcher must have a current CITI certificate on file with the Office of Research and Engagement. For students whose research involves animals, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval is required. Required approval must be obtained prior to initiating any such research with these populations.

Capstones should be completed in the final stages of the master’s degree.

If a failing grade is given on the first attempt to satisfy the capstone requirement, the student may be allowed one additional attempt, with permission of the Graduate Program Director. If the student fails to meet the department’s minimum criteria for the capstone experience on the second attempt, the GPD shall notify the Graduate School will subsequently send the student a letter of dismissal from the program.

Maximum credit allowed for Capstones is six (6) hours. Additional extension hours may be required to maintain continuous enrollment but do not count toward the degree, do not qualify the student for graduate school support, and are ineligible for financial aid.