Business Management Capstone:

A student created a business plan to open a retail coffee shop in their town and presented the plan to potential investors including market research, financial projections, operational plans, and strengths/weaknesses analysis.

Computer Science Capstone:

A group of students developed a mobile application for a local nonprofit organization to help volunteers track hours and tasks completed. The app included user registration, a database to store volunteer data, and reporting features for organization leadership. They presented a demo of the working app.

Engineering Capstone:

As part of a senior design project, a team of mechanical engineering students worked with a manufacturer to develop a new process to automate part of the production line for one of their products. The students created 3D models and prototypes of the automated machinery, documented the design process, and created training materials for installation and use of the new system.

Nursing Capstone:

For her capstone, a nursing student chose to conduct research on best practices for diabetes patient education. She developed an educational module to teach patients how to manage their diabetes and monitor blood sugar levels. She presented her research findings and the new educational program to nursing administrators and doctors at the hospital where she had completed her clinical studies.

Education Capstone:

An aspiring high school history teacher created and taught a new unit on the U.S. Constitution to a Mock Classroom of peers and professors who took on the role of students. They developed lesson plans, activities, and assessments aligned to state standards. The student received feedback on their teaching skills and reflected on ways to improve instructional practices.

Communications Capstone:

For their capstone, a group of communications majors planned and implemented a large-scale public relations campaign for their university’s upcoming capital fundraising campaign. They developed messaging, graphics, news releases and organized special events on campus. They presented their PR plan and the results of their campaign efforts to university administrators.

Criminal Justice Capstone:

An honors student interested in a career with the FBI conducted an in-depth research study analyzing the trends in cybercrime over the past decade. They interviewed prosecutors, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts. Their resulting 30-page paper with references provided recommendations on how law enforcement can better address evolving cyber threats.

Public Health Capstone:

A small team of students partnered with the county health department to address the lack of access to healthy food in low-income urban neighborhoods. They conducted surveys in the community to identify needs, then organized a 6-week pop-up farmers market and nutrition education workshops. At the conclusion they presented their project documentation and outcomes to demonstrate impact.

Psychology Capstone:

An ambitious psychology student designed an original research study on the correlation between socioeconomic status and career aspirations of high school students. They created IRB-approved surveys, collected and analyzed quantitative data from a sample of local high schoolers. The capstone concluded with a formal research paper and conference-style presentation of their findings.

Social Work Capstone:

For their culminating project, a social work major completed an internship at a domestic violence shelter where they helped develop new trauma-informed counseling resources for clients. They also facilitated support groups and aftercare programs. At the end of the semester they presented to site supervisors and received feedback on their work and skills in serving vulnerable populations.

These are just a sampling of the diverse capstone projects undertaken by college students across various majors. In each case, the goal was for senior students to integrate and apply the knowledge and technical skills gained throughout their course of study by conducting significant projects that addressed real-world problems or organizational needs. Presenting final projects allowed students to demonstrate their competence and receive feedback to help prepare for future careers or postgraduate studies. Capstone experiences provide an authentic way for learners to culminate their educational experiences.