LIS 698 Capstone
If you are interested in mentoring/supervising our students in field experiences, please check out https://sites.google.com/uncg.edu/lis-practicum/home
The Capstone at UNCG LIS
The Capstone is a reflective practice in which you will implement what you learned during your MLIS studies. Rather than restating what you’ve already learned, you will apply what you’ve learned to new situations and analyze where you are (what you know now!) as you finish the degree. This will require that you examine your soft skills (interpersonal relationships, public speaking, organization, ability to make mistakes and move on, etc,) as well as the knowledge you accrued during the program. You will report your Capstone experience and relate it to the departmental PLOs in your Capstone Portfolio.
All students take the Capstone during their last semester in the MLIS program.
Plan ahead. Customize your MLIS studies around the career(s) you are most interested in, centering around your critical program learning outcomes. Narrow down your preferences as you gain more knowledge and skills in the program. BUT keep in mind that it is okay to change your mind about what you’re interested in (at least until you get to planning your Capstone experience).
Customize your MLIS studies around Option A or Option B of the Capstone. For example, if you anticipate doing Option B, a course with a strong active design/research component would be an excellent idea.
Customize your Capstone experience around your career goal(s). Design an experience that prepares you for the career you want.
Your Capstone isn't just a field experience. You will also complete a portfolio, showing what you know as you prepare to graduate with your MLIS and how you have met the LIS Department's PLOs.
As you go through the MLIS, make sure you save everything! You will not need all of it to complete your capstone, but you won’t know what you will need until the end.
Your Capstone should serve as real-world experience. You should be working on projects, tasks, jobs, etc. that use the skills you’ve learned during your MLIS studies. While “small” tasks like shelving books are valuable and are fine as a small portion of your work, they should not constitute the majority of your work during the Capstone.
Not sure how to identify a good Capstone Experience? See more information on the How to Identify/Create a Capstone Opportunity page.
Schedule
Acceptance to program
Once you know who your advisor is, talk to them about your career goals and directions to take during your studies.
Early semesters
With your advisor, revisit your course choices and career goals and continue to customize your plan of study and Capstone plans.
Once 18 hours are complete
Declare for Option A or Option B when you complete 18 credit hours toward your degree by meeting with your advisor and filling out the Capstone Declaration form. If you neglect to declare, you will automatically be enrolled in Option A.
One semester before final semester (second to last semester )
If pursuing Option A, select a site and supervisor and make arrangements for your Field Experience. Complete a set of goals by the last day of classes during your penultimate semester. You will need to turn this in to register for the capstone. You will not be able to register for the capstone unless you have a site supervisor and a set of goals.
If pursuing Option B, select a project and supervisor, consider taking a research course if you have not already done so (i.e. LIS 685, LIS 661), create your Project Proposal by the last day of classes during your penultimate semester. You will need to turn this in to register for the capstone. You will not be able to register for the capstone unless you have a site supervisor and a Project Proposal.
Registering for the Capstone
During advising the semester before you graduate, talk to your advisor; submit the Capstone Registration form. You will be only registered in the Capstone once you complete this step. You must register for the Capstone before the end of the drop/add period for the semester (usually the first week of classes). You cannot register yourself in the Capstone through Genie. You will submit your Final Program Plan of Study with advisor signature in the Capstone class; your advisor will tell you more about this.
Final semester
Complete your Capstone Experience and Capstone Portfolio.
