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.

Getting Started

Browse our online Honors Course Guide, filtering for "CE courses," to determine Course Capstone offerings each semester.

Registration

You may register for most Course Capstones directly on SPIRE. However, registration may require 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 online Honors Course Guide and may require completion of a form found our "Forms" webpage (see link at left).

Research Underway

Attend class regularly and conduct your research under the guidance of the Course Capstone instructor. If you are enrolled in a two-semester Capstone: at the conclusion of the first half you will need to register on SPIRE for the second half.

Finishing Up

    1. Complete your research and produce the required thesis or project manuscript according to the content and formatting requirements specified in the "CE Manuscript & Documentation" section of our website (see link at left)
    2. Present your findings to the course members, the instructor or both, as per the instructor's expectations.
    3. Submit the following materials to the Commonwealth College office by the last day of final exams (this date can be found on the Undergraduate Registrar's academic calendar web page):
      • Your manuscript with signed title page (with original signatures)
      • Two copies of your abstract
      • A "Course Capstone Completion Form" (with all appropriate signatures)
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Course Capstones
afford Commonwealth College students the chance to pursue a topic in depth within a seminar setting.

 



Recreating
a Historic Masterpiece
See what students are
researching in this hands-on
Course Capstone