Capstone Options

All MA and MS students must fulfill a capstone project requirement, usually in their final two semesters of study. Capstone projects are an important way in which students gain valuable scholarly or professional experience, whether as practitioners, media producers, consultants, or researchers.

There are three options for completing the capstone requirement:

• Thesis option — an independent research project that takes the form of a single long essay, a media production, or two papers with a bridge essay
• Research Portfolio option — two major research papers written in designated research seminars along with a bridge essay that connects the two papers
• Practice option — a professional project that can take the form of an assignment for a client organization, a simulation, or two independent projects using a technical tool 

Students choose their capstone project in consultation with their advisor when they have completed 18 credits. Each of these options requires six credits worth of classes and significant independent work — completed either individually or in groups — that is conducted under guidance of a faculty member. In the semester before undertaking capstone work, students must submit the Capstone Declaration form.