The Capstone experience is completed by senior students within the major and is designed to elicit opportunities for educational reflection and synthesis of knowledge and skills. The Capstone may be met with an approved experience (as described below). It is not necessarily a course.

Suggested ways of meeting Capstone include: McNair Program, IROP, IA Dual major, INCO 501/590, SURF and Honors Projects. Examples of experiences include courses, projects, independent research, internships, artistic expression, or community and service learning opportunities.

Faculty Resources

Faculty Senate Motion: Capstone Experience

III. The Academic Affairs Committee recommends passage of the Discovery Program’s capstone requirement within the academic major based on the following standards, procedures, and conditions.

1. Capstones must meet one or more of the following criteria:
   1. The capstone synthesizes and applies disciplinary knowledge and skills.
   2. The capstone fosters reflection on undergraduate learning and experience.
   3. The capstone demonstrates emerging professional competencies.
   4. The capstone applies, analyzes, and/or interprets research or data or artistic expression.
   5. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.
2. The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning. Departments may allow honors theses, mentored research projects, and other special student activities to substitute for designated department capstones.
3. The capstone should occur during the students’ senior year
4. Departments designate capstones as appropriate to their respective disciplines following the usual administrative procedures for their College or School.
5. Departments are responsible for certifying that graduating seniors have met the capstone requirement for their majors.