AP Capstone

AP Capstone

AP Capstone is a college-level program based on two courses—AP Seminar and AP Research. AP Capstone provides students with an opportunity to engage in challenging scholarly practice of the core academic skills necessary for successful college completion, such as the ability to think independently, write effectively, research, collaborate, and learn across disciplines.

AP Seminar

AP Seminar is the first course in the AP Capstone experience. It is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using the inquiry framework, students practice: reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. This course has an AP test fee of $143.

AP Research

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words (accompanied by performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. This course has an AP test fee of $143.

AP Seminar & Research Certificate

Students who successfully complete both AP Seminar and AP Research and score a 3 or higher on the AP Exams will receive the AP Research and AP Seminar Certificate from the College Board

AP Capstone Diploma

Students who successfully complete both AP Seminar and AP Research and score a 3 or higher on those AP exams and four other AP Exams at any point throughout high school will receive the AP Capstone Diploma from the College Board.

AP Seminar & Research Certificate:

AP Seminar (Year 1)

• • Team Project & Presentation

  • Individual Research-Based Essay & Presentation

  • End-of-Course Exam

AP Research (Year 2)

• • Academic Paper

  • Presentation & Oral Defense

AP Capstone Diploma:

• AP Seminar

• AP Research

• Plus 4 AP Courses & Exams (taken at any point throughout high school)

*A score of 3 or higher on all AP exams is required to earn these distinctions.