What Is a Capstone Project?

A capstone is an actual stone that is placed on top of a built structure, indicating that the building is complete. Capstone courses took their name from this feature because these courses are intended to mark the completion of a student’s baccalaureate degree program.

It’s expected that, following the completion of the capstone project, students will be fully prepared to either enter the workforce or pursue graduate-level education.

Here, you can take a closer look at the definition and importance of capstone courses, and check out some tips for navigating this common college requirement.

In This Article:

• What Is a Capstone in College?
• Importance of Capstone Projects for College Students
• Which Degree Programs Often Have Capstone Courses?
• Typical Structure for a Capstone Course
• Capstone Project Examples
• Tips for Navigating Your Capstone Project
• Prepare for Your Future at GCU

What Is a Capstone in College?

First, know that as in high school, the curriculum for college degree programs is typically arranged sequentially. That is, you’ll first take introductory classes and general education classes. Then, you’ll progress to courses on advanced competencies or more in-depth topics. The capstone course is among the latter category.

Students who are required to complete one (not all degree programs have a capstone) will usually do so in their senior year. This broad-ranging, ambitious project is intended to be the culmination of everything you’ve been taught up to that point. It’s your chance to demonstrate that you’ve seized the opportunity to learn skills and knowledge in your discipline.

Importance of Capstone Projects for College Students

You may be wondering why capstone projects are important and beneficial to college students. These projects are significant to the educational journey because they often provide a way to bridge academic theory to hands-on applications. They encourage students to take ownership of their own education, fostering both academic and personal growth with the intent of preparing students for professional practice.

Some of the potential benefits of a capstone project may include:

• Nurturing skills development in preparation to enter the workforce
• Providing hands-on experience
• Enjoying the ability to pursue topics of particular interest to the student
• Offering the chance to improve research skills, data interpretation, creativity and innovation

Some capstone projects encourage students to explore various career opportunities within their discipline. Others may focus on the development of a professional portfolio, which students can then use to showcase their abilities during job interviews. Students often complete capstone projects by themselves, although some are completed in small groups, which can offer the opportunity to develop collaboration and teamwork skills.

Which Degree Programs Often Have Capstone Courses?

Not all degree programs feature capstone courses. Even if one degree program has a capstone course at a particular school, the same degree might not feature a capstone at a different school. Some capstones may even be optional for students, while others are a requirement for graduation.

Some examples of college degrees that may offer or require capstone projects include:

• Communications
• Information technology
• Public administration
• Engineering
• Humanities
• Digital media

Grand Canyon University offers numerous degree programs that include a capstone requirement. A few of these include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Media
• Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity

The electrical engineering degree includes two capstone experiences to provide students with plenty of hands-on opportunities.

Typical Structure for a Capstone Course

One of the most important things to keep in mind as you work on your capstone project is that you must meet the requirements for your specific degree program and course. Every school—and every degree program — will establish certain requirements. These requirements may pertain to topic selection or the presentation of your work, for example. To do well on your project, meeting those requirements is a must.

Since every project has its own requirements, the structure can also vary. In general, however, you might expect the following structure for your capstone course:

• Topic selection: Choose a topic of interest to you within your discipline. You’ll likely need to obtain your instructor’s approval before moving ahead with the project. Some students may need to write a project proposal that explains their project idea.
• Research: Capstone projects often require a great deal of research.
• Presentation: Capstone courses often culminate in a written research paper that pulls together all of the student’s research and discusses their findings. Some may require another type of presentation, such as an oral presentation.

Not all capstone projects will follow this specific structure. Some capstones are intended to build a professional portfolio. For example, if you’re earning a degree in web design, your capstone project may consist of designing a fully functioning website.

Capstone Project Examples

Up until this point in your college education, it's likely that you've primarily completed projects and written research papers on topics assigned by your instructors. When you're a senior about to embark on a capstone project, however, you'll likely have the opportunity to select your own topic of interest (provided your topic falls within your discipline, of course).

Reflect carefully on the topic you choose, as you'll be working on it for an entire semester. You'll want to choose a topic that meets project requirements and will sustain your interest for the entire time you'll be working on it.

Having trouble coming up with a great idea for your project? You may find it helpful to review your notes, handouts and assignments for all of the classes you’ve taken so far. Was there something in particular that captured your attention? Was there a topic that you’d wished the class explored in further detail? This might make a great topic for your project.

Some capstone project examples include:

• Education: Identify best practices for improving social services support for at-risk students in K-12 schools
• Marketing: Explore whether a customer loyalty program improves customer retention
• Psychology: Consider whether stress affects students’ ability to perform on school exams
• Business administration: Investigate whether the implementation of a company-wide recycling program improves its public image

Tips for Navigating Your Capstone Project

It’s only natural to want to do well on your capstone project. It’s the culmination of all of the work you’ve put into your degree program thus far, and it’s intended to showcase what you’ve been taught. Plus, ending school on a high note may help you feel more self-confident as you head into the workforce after graduation.

Try these tips for navigating your capstone course:

• Write down a list of all of your topic ideas, even if they aren’t fully fleshed out. Then, narrow the list down to choose a topic.
• Be sure your topic fits with any course requirements, and obtain instructor approval if needed.
• Create an outline that includes every step you’ll need to take to complete your project.
• Create a schedule with deadlines for every step of your project.
• Do thorough research, but don’t get so bogged down in the research that you start to procrastinate on the writing portion of the project.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you’re not sure whether you’re on the right track, visit your instructor during office hours or request an appointment to discuss your project.

Prepare for Your Future at GCU

GCU is a private Christian school that offers a wide range of bachelor’s degree programs in the humanities, sciences, technology and other fields. Find a bachelor’s degree that suits your career aspirations and academic interests today. You can connect with a university counselor and request more information by filling out the form on this page.