UMass Amherst

Independent Capstone

Self-initiated Independent Capstones afford students the opportunity to focus intensively on an issue or problem of special interest to them, arising out of their major study or across two or more disciplines. Students pursue independent research and scholarly, scientific, or creative work under the supervision of a faculty "guidance committee." Their efforts culminate in the production and presentation of the student's own substantial thesis or project (for example: screenplay, collection of original poetry, musical score, engineering design, or marketing case study).

Independent Capstones require an approved registration contract, proposal, and guidance committee. They terminate in an oral defense. Students who are seeking graduation with higher Latin honors (magna or summa cum laude) must submit a Capstone Experience manuscript to Commonwealth College for forwarding to the W.E.B. DuBois Library archives.

Getting Started

    1. Identify a research topic and obtain a copy of the "Independent Capstone Contract"
    2. Form a committee of faculty mentors
    3. Write a proposal describing your thesis or project according to the "Proposal" guidelines
    4. Obtain appropriate signatures on the "Independent Capstone Contract" indicating that your proposal has been accepted by your committee
    5. Submit your contract and proposal to the Commonwealth College office before the end of the pre-registration period of the semester prior to beginning your research (also print out a current SPIRE Degree Progress Report to bring along)

Registration

Students are registered into Independent Capstones by Commonwealth College staff upon approval of the proposal and contract. Traditional course registration deadlines apply.

Research Underway

    1. Meet regularly with your committee members to assess your progress and ability to proceed/complete your thesis or project
    2. Revise and submit updated proposals as necessary
    3. If undertaking a two-semester Independent Capstone Experience (3cr + 3cr): upon completion of the first semester and with your committee's approval, obtain and file a new contract and updated proposal for the second semester.

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. Arrange and conduct an oral defense before your committee. (Allow sufficient time for revisions prior to submission of your materials to Commonwealth College.)
    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
      • An "Independent Capstone Completion Form" (with all appropriate signatures) (see "Forms" link at left)

Grading

Grades are submitted on SPIRE by your instructor at the end of each Capstone semester.

Note: A grade of "Y" may be submitted for "499Y Honors Research" if your instructor wishes to defer your final grades until after you have fully completed your two-part Capstone Experience. (e.g., 499Y followed by 499T or 499P).

The "Y" indicates "yearlong" research and serves as a neutral placeholder for purposes of your GPA. Your instructor must convert the "Y" grade manually via a "Change of Grade" form submitted to the Undergraduate Registrar's office prior to our clearing you for graduation and awarding higher honors.

photograph by Justin Lane

Independent Capstones
afford time for intensive study and research.