MS Human Ecology Capstone Project
The Capstone Project is the culminating learning experience of the SoHE Master’s program. It is intended to provide an opportunity for students to focus on their area of specialization while integrating and applying the professional skills, methods, and knowledge they have learned over the course of the program. The project is also intended to provide an opportunity to make a real-world contribution to their intended area of professional practice. Students begin planning their capstone project before their final semester. Then, reflecting on their learning within the Master’s program, drawing from coursework, and professional experience, and considering future goals, the student proposes and implements a capstone project. Through coursework and program events students will have the opportunity to learn about and develop relationships with community and organizational partners. This will provide opportunities to connect with organizations, learn about their needs, and identify potential capstone projects. We encourage students to be pro-active in developing professional ties through networking and informational interviewing.
Master of Science Capstone Project Guidelines
PURPOSE
The Capstone Project is the culminating learning experience of the SoHE Masters program. It is intended to provide an opportunity for students to focus on their area of specialization while integrating and applying the professional skills, methods, and knowledge they have learned over the course of the program. The project is also intended to provide an opportunity to make a real-world contribution to their intended area of professional practice. Prior to their final semester of study, students plan their capstone project. Reflecting on their learning within the Masters program, drawing from coursework, and professional experience, and considering future goals, the student proposes and implements a capstone project. Through coursework and program events students will have the opportunity to learn about and develop relationships with community and organizational partners. This will provide opportunities to connect with organizations, learn about their needs, and identify potential capstone projects.
NATURE OF PROJECTS
Capstones typically involve students working with a community, regional, or state organization or agency to develop a project on an issue of relevance and mutual interest.
The focus and form of capstone projects are flexible and are intended to encourage creativity. Students have the option of collaborating on the capstone project with other students. Some examples of capstone projects include: developing a program evaluation, designing a professional training module, conducting a needs assessment, designing a community space, developing a website, creating a community program or curriculum, conducting an applied research project, developing an organizational fundraising plan, creating a multi-pronged media campaign, and writing a translational research review or policy brief.
TIMING AND COURSE CREDIT
Students usually undertake their capstone project during the final semester of the Masters program. During their second-to-last semester in which they are planning their capstone project, students are typically enrolled in Inter-HE 980 (the capstone seminar) for one credit; here they receive guidance and feedback from the instructor and other students in developing their capstone project. During their final semester of the program, students typically enroll in Inter-HE 980 for two credits; during this time they receive feedback from the instructor and classmates as they carry out their project. Alternative arrangements for taking these three credits of capstone seminar may be available; please discuss with the program director.
CAPSTONE PROPOSAL
If students DO NOT complete the one-credit planning semester of the capstone seminar, they will need to complete a capstone proposal in order to enroll in three credits of the capstone seminar in their final semester. The proposal should be no more than 5 pages (double-spaced) and address the following:
- Purpose: What are the aims of the project in terms of its potential contribution to the organization, community, clientele or other stakeholders? What does the project hope to achieve and why is it important?
- Activities: What are the activities that will be conducted to meet the project’s aims? What is the final product that will be created and how will it be delivered? Using existing research and logic, explain the decision to use the methods or take the approach that you are proposing.
- Benefits: How will the project enhance the professional development and career aspirations of the student? How will the capstone integrate the student’s prior learning?
LETTER OF SUPPORT
In addition, a letter of support from the organization, agency, partner or stakeholder with whom the student will work should accompany the proposal. This should document that there is an agreement between the student and community partner of what the student and the community partner will each do in supporting the capstone project’s successful completion.
FINAL CAPSTONE PRESENTATION
The student is required to present their final capstone project at a public forum along with other SoHE MS students. This forum is typically scheduled at the end of the semester. Fellow students, faculty, staff, and community partners will be invited to the presentation.
FINAL PROJECT APPROVAL
The capstone seminar instructor, with feedback from the student’s community partner, reviews the final capstone project and determines if the project has been completed in a satisfactory manner. If the project is not in a format that can be easily reviewed by the committee, the student is expected to write a short report describing the project and summarizing what was accomplished.