Capstone Experience
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 flexible capstone experiences – from completion of innovative coursework, to applied professional projects, to a traditional MA thesis.
Check out a video from Dr. Leah Omilion-Hodges summarizing each capstone and how to select the one best suited for your career advancement goals.
Students admitted BEFORE Fall 2024 - the capstone consists 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.
Students admitted BEGINNING FALL 2024, the capstone consists of the options listed below:
Coursework
The coursework option is for the student who desires to take as many standard communication courses as possible to build mastery of the discipline and do so within a structured, faculty-led environment with student peers. It requires the student to complete six additional credit hours as electives.
Professional Project
Students extend their skills and knowledge by engaging in the development of an applied communication experience. The project may involve deliverables 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.
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.