One student in the Bachelor of Science in Business Management program completed a capstone project examining strategies for improving employee retention at a small manufacturing company. For their project, the student conducted interviews with 20 current employees to understand their reasons for staying or considering leaving the organization. They also did benchmarking research on employee retention best practices at similar companies. In their capstone paper and presentation, they proposed a combination of improved management training, competitive compensation and benefits packages, enhanced opportunities for advancement, and expanded work-life balance programs. Some of their key recommendations that were later implemented included the introduction of flexible work schedules, an annual employee satisfaction survey to gather ongoing feedback, and the creation of internal mentorship and development programs.

In the Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program, a student focused their capstone project on enhancing the security of a mid-sized financial services firm’s cloud infrastructure and applications. Through vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, they identified several gaps in access controls, authentication protocols, and network security that could expose sensitive customer data. In their project report and presentation to IT leadership, they recommended an integrated solution involving Multi-Factor Authentication, increased encryption of data in transit and at rest, regular security awareness training for all employees, and deploying cloud security tools to monitor for malicious activity and abnormal behavior. The company was so impressed with the findings and proposed roadmap that they hired the student as their new Cloud Security Engineer after graduation to help implement the changes.

A student in the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program completed a program evaluation capstone to assess the effectiveness of an after-school tutoring program at a local Title 1 elementary school. For their project, they developed surveys to collect feedback from students, parents, and teachers on perceived strengths and weaknesses of the existing tutoring model. They also analyzed standardized test score data from past years to see if program participation correlated with improved academic performance. Their final paper presented both qualitative and quantitative findings. Some of the major recommendations included tailoring tutoring sessions to individual student needs based on formative assessments, involving parents more directly in the program through volunteer opportunities, and securing additional grant funding to expand the scope and resources available. The school district was pleased with the comprehensive evaluation and subsequently implemented several of the proposed improvements.

In the Master of Science in Information Technology program, one capstone involved developing a proof-of-concept prototype for an innovative mobile application aimed at helping parents easily locate and connect with local babysitters, nannies, and childcare providers. Through user interviews and competitor research, the student identified pain points in existing solutions and opportunities to address unmet needs. Their prototype application included customizable family profiles, real-time availability calendars for care providers, secure payment processing capabilities, parental controls, and integrated background check verification. Their project report contained a full business plan outlining user acquisition strategies, pricing models, partnerships, staffing requirements, and financial projections. Investors were impressed with the clarity of vision and early validation findings, resulting in seed funding being secured to further develop the concept into a product.

These are just a few examples of the diverse, impactful capstone projects completed through Capella’s competency-based programs. A hallmark of Capella’s model is developing applied research and evaluation skills to address real-world organizational and community issues. Students successfully collaborate with industry partners and stakeholders to design solutions informed by evidence and tailored to specific needs. By completing rigorous projects with measurable outcomes, Capella graduates gain proven ability to effectively problem solve, communicate recommendations, and drive meaningful change in their respective fields and workplaces.