Capstone Experience

Options are determined by degree program

The doctoral capstone is designed to assess the student’s capacity to identify, evaluate, interpret, organize, and communicate knowledge. Additionally, the capstone will assess the student’s analytical and professional skills needed to practice in and advance their profession.  Students may not earn a passing grade in their capstone course until all requirements have been met.  This includes review by a minimum of one advisor/sponsor and one additional reader and approval for and submission to ProQuest (as determined by the nature of the capstone).

The doctoral degree capstone consists of a program-directed educational experience that may lead to a comprehensive examination, doctoral dissertation or culminating scholarly project.  These experiences may also require proposal and defense hearings as determined by the department. The doctoral degree is conferred after successful completion of all program requirements.

Comprehensive Examination: In programs that require a comprehensive exam as the capstone, all doctoral students must pass a written examination either designed by doctoral faculty within the students’ program or a national exam as determined by the program. The exam is designed to rigorously assess the student’s mastery and synthesis of knowledge attained during course work and may be utilized to gauge the student’s potential for independent scholarly project or dissertation. The exam may be scheduled any time after at least two-thirds of the planned program has been completed. A candidate who fails the comprehensive examination may petition the doctoral program advisor for a second examination if there are extenuating circumstances. If the petition is not granted, the student will be dismissed from the program. Failure in the second examination results in dismissal from the program and exclusion from further candidacy.

Culminating Scholarly Project: In programs that require a culminating scholarly project as the capstone, the culminating scholarly project may be required at the discretion of the doctoral program and provides an opportunity for doctoral students to complete an independent student led project designed to assess the student’s ability to translate research into practice and contribute new knowledge in the chosen field of study. The project may have a basis in practicum/clinical work or research representative of the field of study. The project may apply existing knowledge or be the development of a new application within their field and involves integration and application of discipline-specific theory and application.

Dissertation: In programs that require a dissertation as the capstone, the dissertation is an independent research-based project led by the student to assess the student’s ability to undertake original research that contributes to new knowledge in their chosen field of study. The dissertation will be approved by a pre-selected dissertation committee.   All dissertation projects must meet the form, style, and other requirements outlined by the degree program. The final dissertation includes a defense and publication to ProQuest.

Options are determined by degree program

Thesis: The master's thesis is a capstone experience of the master's degree candidate and offers evidence of the student's original research and the results of that research. There are five types of theses that may be completed: (1) investigative or experimental, (2) historical or descriptive, (3) interpretive, analytical, or critical, (4) creative or (5) qualitative. A thesis proposal must be approved by the thesis adviser and department chairperson, prior to the preparation of a final thesis. All theses’ must meet the form, style, and other requirements outlined by the program.

Special Project: The special project provides an opportunity for graduate students to complete an academically rigorous project that contributes in some meaningful way to the student's discipline and professional community. The special project involves the integration and application of discipline-specific knowledge, concepts, theory, and skills in the development of a tangible product (a.k.a., deliverable), accompanied by a written report describing the process and results of the product's development. Students choose to complete a special project to demonstrate the ability to make independent use of and apply information and training, and to furnish objective evidence of their aptitude in their chosen field of study. A special project in the major field may be required at the discretion of the graduate program.

Comprehensive Examination: The comprehensive examination in the major field is set by the graduate program concerned and may be scheduled any time after at least two-thirds of the planned program have been completed. A candidate who fails the comprehensive examination may petition the graduate program adviser for a second examination if there are extenuating circumstances. If the petition is not granted, the student will be dismissed from the program. Failure in the second examination results in dismissal from the program and exclusion from further candidacy.

Each academic department determines whether a student has successfully completed the capstone requirements. Successful completion of the capstone special project, thesis, or dissertation indicates that the capstone has been approved by two faculty members and the department chair. In addition, successful completion of the thesis or dissertation indicates that the thesis or dissertation has been approved for and submitted to ProQuest for publication. The master’s degree is conferred after successful completion of all program requirements.

Students who are making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their capstone but have not yet completed the requirement, may request an Incomplete (I) from their faculty member.  The Incomplete must be resolved no more than 30 days after the next semester begins, or if the faculty member is providing additional time, then the faculty member must file a grade change with the Registrar's Office to Incomplete Extension (I+) with a revised deadline.  Students should be aware that a grade of Incomplete may impact financial aid. Students working towards completion of a capstone may be granted a maximum extension of 12 months, unless an additional extension is expressly granted by the faculty member and approved by the Dean or Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.  

Doctoral students who are making satisfactory progress toward the completion of their dissertation, but have not yet completed and formally submitted the dissertation, will receive an "I" for the course and register for an extension, either EDL 901 Continuing Enrollment for Doctoral Dissertation or NUR 817 Dissertation Advisement Continuation.  The extension courses do not earn credit and a grade of "Q" will be assigned to indicate satisfactory progress. When all work is complete and accepted by the faculty member and/or committee responsible for oversight, the "I" grade for the dissertation course will be changed to the appropriate letter grade for course credit.

Please note: Financial Aid recipients who are registered less than half-time may have their loans enter repayment.