UMass Amherst

Course Capstones

These 6- or more-credit Capstone Experiences are generally taught seminar-style in a classroom setting and provide students with an opportunity to explore a topic in depth. The topics are varied and may be interdisciplinary in nature.

A Course Capstone may be offered in one of three ways:

  • As a single, one-semester course carrying 6 or more credits;
  • As two linked courses taken in a single semester carrying a total of 6 or more credits; or
  • As a sequence of courses taken over two semesters (usually fall and spring) carrying a total of 6 or more credits.

Course Capstones, like their Independent Capstone counterparts, require major scholarly undertakings in the form of theses or projects. In lieu of an oral defense, most Course Capstones include a presentation to course members, the instructor, or both.

Registration : You may register for most Course Capstones directly on SPIRE. Registration often requires instructor permission beforehand to ensure that students fully understand and are able to commit to course expectations. Such instructions will be noted in the course description in the Commonwealth College online “Honors Course Guide.”

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Course Capstones
afford Commonwealth College students the chance to pursue a topic in depth within a seminar setting.