Getting started FAQ's

The capstone project is a culminating research opportunity for undergraduates in the Honors Scholar Program and is designed to provide program members with the opportunity to work extensively with faculty mentors in their fields. The project should consist of a single, extended exploration into a significant area of a student's chosen field of study.

The final form of the capstone project will depend on your interests, major and imagination. There is no limit to where your creativity can take you on this project!

Some examples of past projects include original art work, musical compositions, lab experiments, business or lesson plans, and websites. If you elect to include a creative component, your project must still include a written component, minimum 10 pages less a bibliography, that describes the work, summarizes the methods or procedures undertaken, and includes a statement about any resulting discoveries and contributions to the creative field.

Your research or investigation should provide new knowledge, insight, and awareness about your subject and should not simply repeat something that has already been done.

Once the sophomore year is complete, you should start brainstorming the topic or area in your field that you would like to research and investigate and consider who the faculty mentor might be. Make sure that the project is one in which your faculty mentor will have expertise and interest.

Check out the project summaries for your major and review projects in the Library Special Collections for inspiration from the variety of topics previously explored. Start early! Sometimes the project development and proposal process take time to complete.

You should review your degree plan and consider which three credit hour course you would like to attach the project to and should consult with faculty mentors in advance of the semester during which you will start the project. For Biology and Nursing majors, the capstone project may include extensive research or data collection that spans several semesters.

You will need to work with your faculty mentor to determine if you will need to go through the IRB process. You can check out the US Dept. of Health and Human Services site for helpful info. You should discuss all of this with your faculty mentor and ask for their guidance on the IRB process. Don't forget to factor this process in to your project timeline!

Consider reaching out to a faculty member whose area of focus or research resonates with you. Perhaps you've worked with a professor on an Honors contract and you want to further develop that project concept, or, maybe you just really enjoyed working with that professor. Be sure to also review your major or department website for information on faculty members, as many sites have faculty bios that could point you in the right direction. We recommend you make contact with the faculty member and express your interest in working with them and set up a phone call or visit them during their office hours.

Remember, the Honors advisors are here for you! Set up a consultation if you need a little guidance or encouragement to make sure you're headed in the right direction.

Eligible

• Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Lecturers

• Clinical Professors

• Emeritus Professors

• Visiting Assistant Professors*

• Visiting Lecturers*

Eligible only with a Second Reader

• Adjuncts

• Teaching Assistants

*Visiting faculty may direct projects with the prior approval of the Executive Director.

The capstone project proposal form can be found on this resource site on the Handbook and Forms page, as well as on AHS Pioneer Engage in the Honors Coursework > Capstones folder.

Capstone Proposals are due no later than the semester in which you earn your 90th college credit hour.

Capstone proposal deadline deferrals may be requested from an honors advisor and must be approved in advance of the conclusion of the 90 credit hour deadline. Please email an honors advisor or secure a consultation to discuss your timeline for capstone completion.

Don't let the idea of the capstone project intimidate you! You are a strong, capable Honors student and we believe you can succeed!

• Check out the Capstone Handbook for more detailed information on the process and requirements.

• Schedule a consultation with an honors advisor to talk about your project early in the process.

• Attend a workshop hosted each semester by the Executive Director, Dr. Litton, for additional guidance and time for Q&A.