Purpose of the Capstone
A “capstone” is the final stone that connects and protects an underlying structure. That is what a capstone experience is when finishing your university degree. Students often ask:
• Why do I have to do this?
• Is it really required to graduate?
• What’s the use, and what’s the point?
The capstone course/experience is the last class (or one of them) in a degree program. We call it a capstone because it represents a crowning achievement as a capstone does in architecture. The best university degree programs require capstone experience; it is a high impact practice in university education. A capstone course allows us to assess your learning and skills to ensure your success after graduation; you will be required to complete a final portfolio or ePortfolio (ePortfolio for Emerging Media majors).
The capstone also helps build your résumé. When you list a capstone on your résumé it helps you market yourself. A capstone on your résumé is proof to future employers or graduate programs that you have the skills you say that you do. By integrating theory and practical experience, your capstone at USCA can set you apart from graduates of other institutions. There also is evidence that taking a capstone improves your confidence. The capstone also increases the rigor of senior year. The capstone will help you hone what you have learned.
Capstone Options
Our Communication and Emerging Media Department offers two BA programs: the traditional Communication degree, the STEM Emerging Media degree, and we also offer both degrees fully online as degree completion programs under the banner of Palmetto College. Each program is slightly different because we are student-centered and want to meet you where you are in your current life and considering your future interests.
Presently, there are four capstone project options available:
- Internship: A traditional internship experience with a company/business/professional organization that allows you to explore professional area you are interested in as a potential career. If you are a traditional, in-person Communication major you should do an internship.
- Professional Project: A large-scale project for your current employer or community that both fulfills a need and enriches their ability to reach a goal as an organization. We recommend this option for students currently working full-time in their careers or fields and are enrolled in our online PC programs.
- Research Project: A concept to completion research project that results in a research paper ready for submission to an academic conference or journal. We recommend this option only for students interested in attending graduate school and eventually pursuing a PhD.
- Media Content Creation Project: A large creative project that both stretches and strengthens a student’s production-based skills, while providing a solid piece of work to display a student’s ability to do media production work from concept to completion. Emerging Media students should pick this option, particularly if interested in production-based work after graduation, and EM majors should include that capstone project in a final ePortfolio.
Capstone Enrollment
Follow the steps below to enroll in a capstone.
Step 1—Take ownership of your experience!
First, you need to consider what kind of experience you want to have, depending on your major, career interests, and future aspirations.
If you want to do an internship, you must locate and secure an internship (you should work with Career Services). The department will not find one for you. If you want to do a professional project, you must collaborate with your current employer and have an agreement on a substantive project.
If you want to do a research project, you must have a specific topic and plan and show a willingness to do the challenging work of original scholarship.
If you want to do a media content creation project, you must be an Emerging Media major and have a specific project in mind. Whatever you decide, there is an expectation of 80 hours of logged work over the course of the enrolled term.
Step 2—Fill out the appropriate paperwork
We will not approve of your enrollment in the Capstone course until you fill out all appropriate paperwork and contracts. For instance, an internship requires a specific description of the internship as a communication or media internship and signed by a site supervisor. If you are doing a professional project, research project, or content creation project, you also need a full description of your experience and signatures from agency personnel or faculty research mentor.
You will not be able to enroll in the Capstone course until you have properly submitted all paperwork and your project has been approved by the capstone director. The capstone director will need to provide overrides before you can enroll.
Step 3—Take the class! It will be fun!
Again, you cannot enroll yourself in the capstone experience on your own without approval. After approval, you will be able to enroll in Comm A497. There will be expectations of classwork beyond the work of the capstone project, with several assignments, including a final formal presentation. The course offers additional skills in self-development and career readiness as well as philosophical “life skills.”
Questions?
Contact the Capstone Director, Dr. Jason Munsell
Location: H&SS 204 A1
Phone: 803-641-3604
Email: jasonm@usca.edu