A capstone is a comprehensive project that allows students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their time in the program. We offer multiple capstone experience options. Flexible capstone experiences – from completion of innovative coursework, to applied professional projects, to a traditional MA thesis.
The capstone experience consists of the completion of one of the following options:
Professional project
Students extend their skills and knowledge by engaging in the development of an applied communication experience. The project may involve deliverable such as workshops, case studies, trainings, creation of websites, and communication campaigns. The project consists of three credit hours and is considered part of communication electives
Comprehensive examination
Students complete all 30-credit hours as coursework as well as a culminating exam in which they demonstrate their mastery of communication theory, research, and practice. There are no credit hours.
Thesis
Students complete an independent research project in which they propose and test new ideas, replicate an existing study or advance theoretical understanding of an issue. The thesis must demonstrate scholarly abilities in research, project development and writing commensurate with the communication discipline. It consists of six credit hours and is considered part of the communication electives.
View important Graduate College deadlines for the capstone experience here.