Every track described below involves a written component (often called the thesis) and an oral presentation and defense. When you are filling out your Capstone form, you will be asked to designate which track you will be on. Below is a description of the three tracks.
The Thesis Track
Every student has the opportunity to dive deep into a research or creative project in their major (or sometimes minor). For some, this involves working in a lab; for others, research in an archive; for still others, designing a portfolio. The thesis track is for work done in one’s major, supervised by a specialist in the field, that involves substantial research or creative achievement. (Speak to the Associate Dean for Capstone if you are interested in a thesis track outside your major.) The length of the written component varies by field. A maximum of nine credit hours can count toward the required thirty honors hours (for four-year students). This is the most common track.
The Practicum Track
The Honors College offers opportunities for collaborative work, supervised by a specialist, that involves research, creative achievement, professional development, or multidisciplinary collaboration. In some majors (including Accountancy and Chemical Engineering), students work on pre-professional projects in groups and add on an individual component; these are disciplinary practicums. The Honors College (or another unit on campus) sometimes provides opportunities for students to collaborate on a big issue; these are interdisciplinary practicums. Students on either version of the practicum track can take a maximum of seven credit hours toward their thirty honors hours.
The Project Track
Some students are involved in long-term or large-scale projects that transform our community and that can serve as the basis for reflection and theorizing; these can become project-track Capstones. Project tracks do not have to be closely connected to one’s major. They are supervised by the Associate Dean for Capstone or someone designated by them. Students on the project track can take a maximum of six credit hours count toward their thirty honors hours.