senior thesis vs capstone

What Is the Difference Between a Capstone and a Thesis?

Kristine tucker.

The main difference between a capstone project and a thesis is that a capstone project addresses a specific problem, issue or concern in your field of study, and a thesis attempts to create new knowledge. A capstone project focuses on a narrow, specific topic , whereas a thesis addresses a broader, generalized issue .

Explore this article

• Capstone Project: Coursework Application
• Capstone Project: Select a Narrow Topic
• Thesis Paper: Create and Prove or Disprove a Hypothesis
• Thesis Paper: Professional Considerations

1 Capstone Project: Coursework Application

A capstone project tests your understanding of core concepts in your field of study and requires you to apply them to current situations. For example, a capstone project might require you to produce a solution to a business or scientific problem. Capstone projects don't require original research, but you must perform background analysis, conduct library research, examine similar projects and review best practices, according to the University of North Carolina. Capstone projects may be completed individually or in small groups . Some undergraduate and graduate programs require students to complete capstone projects to graduate. Consult your adviser about specific capstone requirements.

2 Capstone Project: Select a Narrow Topic

Choose a narrow topic for a capstone project, for which you can provide expertise and a comprehensive analysis. For example, your capstone project might address how a lack of protein affects elementary students' classroom learning or why some consumers are more likely to buy impulsively. In some cases, a capstone project deals with a specific company that's trying to improve productivity or solve a workplace concern. Most capstone projects require a written paper of approximately 15 to 25 pages, according to the University of Colorado. Your adviser may require you to present your project in public and complete a self-reflective evaluation.

3 Thesis Paper: Create and Prove or Disprove a Hypothesis

A thesis paper differs from a capstone project because you must create new knowledge by developing a hypothesis, conducting data analysis, assessing your results, drawing conclusions from your research and comparing your results to others. "A thesis paper feels more like the scientific method than a field project," according to the University of Wisconsin. You must work independently on a thesis instead of doing group projects . Thesis papers are generally reserved for graduate students.

4 Thesis Paper: Professional Considerations

A thesis paper is beneficial to students who plan to enter a Ph.D. program or conduct individual research related to their postgraduate studies or long-term careers. It's more time-consuming than a capstone project and is worth more academic credit hours. A thesis paper can be completed over several semesters, but a capstone project is generally a single-semester requirement . Course instructors and faculty advisers grade capstone projects, but a larger thesis committee grades thesis papers.

• 1 University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Department of Public Administration: Capstone, Field Project or Thesis?
• 2 University of Colorado Boulder Interdisciplinary Telecom Program: Capstone Versus Thesis
• 3 University of Washington: What Is the Difference Between a Capstone Project and a MasterFINAL.docx

About the Author

As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read (and graded!) over the years. Her experiences as vice-president of an energy consulting firm have given her the opportunity to explore business writing and HR. Tucker has a BA and holds Ohio teaching credentials.

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Senior Capstones, Honors, and Synthesis Projects

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As you plan for senior year, you may wish to work on an independent project to solidify the academic knowledge and other educational experiences acquired during your time at Stanford. Capstone Projects and Honors Theses can be a rewarding way to apply what you've learned and finish your Stanford career with a flourish.

Capstone Projects

All undergraduates matriculating as first year students in 2021-22 or later, and graduating in 2024-25 or later must complete a senior capstone requirement, as defined by each department. The capstone project provides students with considerable flexibility and independence.

A capstone project may allow for deeper engagement with a given major, in the form of an  Honors Thesis , a senior paper or project, or an arts performance or exhibition. Alternatively, some capstone projects (often referred to as  Senior Synthesis Projects ) are more interdisciplinary in nature or involve community partnerships.

You can find support for capstone projects from your academic departments or other campus programs such as the  Haas Center for Public Service  and  VPUE Research Grants .

Honors Theses

Usually, by “honors”, Stanford means departmental honors. For most majors (but not quite all), honors means a research honors thesis: a substantial project where you identify your own research topic, carry out the research, and write up your results. Arts programs provide additional paths for pursuing honors through performances or exhibitions. Just about every major offers an honors track, and in addition, several programs allow students from any major to participate in an interdisciplinary honors program (see below for the current list).

Pursuing an honors thesis requires a high degree of initiative and dedication. It also requires significant amounts of time and energy. It can be one of the most challenging, and rewarding, experiences of your academic career. Your  Academic Advisors  are always happy to discuss your thoughts and considerations about pursuing honors with you .

You can start discussing the idea of a thesis with people as early as your first year at Stanford (though most people who pursue honors don’t find their ideas until sophomore or junior year), and as you move through classes up through your junior year, think about what types of questions you might be interested in answering with a thesis. Your faculty are the best people to consult when thinking about honors, as having a mentor who can guide you in the project is essential.

Honors programs generally require an application, a minimum GPA, and some selected classes, as well as the thesis or capstone project. Most application deadlines are in the Winter Quarter of your junior year, but may range from sophomore spring to senior fall. Check the program website for the basics, look out for information sessions, and arrange to meet with program leaders for more information.

The top honors theses are recognized annually in an awards ceremony. You can find links to Stanford News stories of recent ceremonies (and get a sense of the range of possibilities) on the  Medals Ceremony  website.

For Departmental Honors, visit the department site or the majors site to see if your department offers an honors program.  Majors Site

The current Interdisciplinary Honors programs are:

• Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
• Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law  (CDDRL)
• Ethics in Society
• Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• International Security Studies  (CISAC)
• Science, Technology, and Society

Here for the "other" Honors?

Please note that Stanford does not use Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude), but does award Distinction (based on GPA) to graduating seniors. In addition, Stanford has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a nationwide honor society that recognizes students for the excellence and breadth of their undergraduate scholarly accomplishments, and Tau Beta Pi, the national Engineering Honors Society.

Awards and Graduation Honors Phi Beta Kappa Tau Beta Pi

Senior Synthesis Projects

At Stanford, we use the term  "Senior Synthesis Project"  to refer to a senior capstone project that does not readily fall within the category of a research or creative arts honors project. A senior synthesis project draws on your first three years of undergraduate experience, focusing on your academic work but perhaps also integrating your other interests. This is a capstone project that you envision will complement, build upon, or react to those recent experiences. It is distinct from the capstone required by your major.

Senior synthesis projects emphasize reflection on your academic experiences at Stanford and ideas that go beyond what is required in departmental course offerings, with strong faculty mentorship. Check with your program whether such a project is supported, and what process you should follow.

• How do I pursue an independent project?
• Planning for Departmental Honors
• Working with a Faculty Honors Advisor
• How to begin a research, arts, or senior synthesis project

Return to the Advising Student Handbook

Dissertation vs Thesis vs Capstone Project What’s the difference?

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | October 2020

At Grad Coach, we receive questions about dissertation and thesis writing on a daily basis – everything from how to find a good research topic to which research methods to use  and how to analyse the data.

One of the most common questions we receive is “what’s the difference between a dissertation and thesis?” . If you look around online, you’ll find a lot of confusing and often contrasting answers. In this post we’ll clear it up, once and for all…

Need a helping hand?

Dissertation vs Thesis: Showdown Time

Before comparing dissertations to theses, it’s useful to first understand what both of these are and what they have in common .

Dissertations and theses are both formal academic research projects . In other words, they’re academic projects that involve you undertaking research in a structured, systematic way. The research process typically involves the following steps :

• Asking a well-articulated and meaningful research question (or questions).
• Assessing what other researchers have said in relation to that question (this is usually called a literature review – you can learn more about that up here).
• Undertaking your own research using a clearly justified methodology – this often involves some sort of fieldwork such as interviews or surveys – and lastly,
• Deriving an answer to your research question based on your analysis.

In other words, theses and dissertations are both formal, structured research projects that involve using a clearly articulated methodology to draw out insights and answers to your research questions . So, in this respect, they are, for the most part, the same thing.

But, how are they different then?

Well, the key difference between a dissertation and a thesis is, for the most part, the level of study – in other words, undergrad, master or PhD. By extension, this also means that the complexity and rigorousness of the research differs between dissertations and theses.

So, which is which?

This is where it gets a bit confusing. The meaning of dissertation or thesis varies depending on the country or region of study. For example, in the UK, a dissertation is generally a research project that’s completed at the end of a Masters-level degree, whereas a thesis is completed for a Doctoral-level degree.

Conversely, the terminology is flipped around in the US (and some other countries). In other words, a thesis is completed for a Masters-level degree, while a dissertation is completed for PhD (or any other doctoral-level degree).

Simply put, a dissertation and a thesis are essentially the same thing, but at different levels of study . The exact terminology varies from country to country, and sometimes it even varies between universities in the same country. Some universities will also refer to this type of project as a capstone project . In addition, some universities will also require an oral exam or viva voce , especially for doctoral-level projects. 

Given that there are more than 25,000 universities scattered across the globe, all of this terminological complexity can cause some confusion. To be safe, make sure that you thoroughly read the brief provided by your university for your dissertation or thesis, and if possible, visit the university library to have a look at past students’ projects . This will help you get a feel for your institution’s norms and spot any nuances in terms of their specific requirements so that you can give them exactly what they want.

Let’s recap

Dissertations and theses are both formal academic research projects . The main difference is the level of study – undergrad, Masters or PhD. Terminology tends to vary from country to country, and even within countries.

Need help with your research project?

Get in touch with a friendly Grad Coach to discuss how we can help you fast-track your dissertation or thesis today. Book a free, no-obligation consultation here.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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GRADCOACH youtube and materials are awesome for new researchers. Keep posting such materials so that many new researchers can benefit form them.

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Home » Education » What is the Difference Between Capstone and Thesis

What is the Difference Between Capstone and Thesis

The main difference between capstone and thesis is that capstone involves using existing knowledge to solve a problem in a particular field of study, whereas thesis is more scholarly in nature and contribute new knowledge to a particular field of study

Both capstone and thesis serve as the final projects of an academic course. They require a long-term commitment as students will have to spend a lot of time on their research. When done successfully, they can serve as the basis of a student’s professional portfolio.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is a Capstone       – Definition, Features 2.  What is a Thesis     – Definition, Features 3.  Difference Between Capstone and Thesis      – Comparison of Key Differences

What is a Capstone

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program. Moreover, a capstone project may take many forms. In such projects, students select a topic or social problem that interests them, conduct research on that subject, record the results or findings, create a final product, showcasing their conclusions, as well as their learning acquisition. The final product can take many forms, such as papers, multimedia presentations, and short films. Students may also have to do an oral presentation on the project in front of a panel of teachers and experts who will evaluate the quality of the project.

Capstone projects encourage students to think critically and face challenges. They can also develop skills such as research skills, media literacy, teamwork, planning, goal setting, oral communication, public speaking, and self-sufficiency. These skills will help students in their careers as well as adult life. Furthermore, these projects tend to be interdisciplinary, i.e., students have to use various skills and research issues across many different domains of knowledge.

What is a Thesis

A thesis or dissertation is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree. Submitting a thesis is generally required for completing undergraduate honours, masters , and doctoral degrees . The theses are very long and may contain hundreds of pages. They are also scholarly in nature and allows students to contribute valuable research in their field of study.

Moreover, a major part of a thesis work involves research and writing. It generally has advanced research design and analysis. When writing a thesis, the students will have to prove or disapprove a hypothesis , and their conclusions have to be backed by extensive research and an insightful, learned description of how they got to that conclusion. In some degree programs, students also have to perform an oral defence of the thesis paper in front of a panel of experts.

Parts of a Thesis

These are the components you will usually find in a thesis paper.

• Title Page                       
• Abstract           
• Table of Contents           
• List of Figures
• List of Tables           
• Introduction           
• Methods           
• Discussion             
• Conclusions
• Recommendations           
• Acknowledgements
• References             

Difference Between Capstone and Thesis

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program, whereas a thesis is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree.

A thesis is more scholarly in nature than a capstone project.

Level of Education

Capstone projects can be done by high school students, college students, etc., whereas theses are required in higher levels of academia, usually in undergraduate honours degrees, masters, or doctorate levels.

Final Product

In a capstone project, the final product can take many forms, for example, paper, multimedia presentation, short film, etc. However, in a thesis, the final product is always a paper.

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program, whereas a thesis is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree. Moreover, a thesis is more scholarly in nature than a capstone project. Therefore, this is is the main difference between capstone and thesis.

1. Stute, Martin. “ How to Write Your Thesis .” How to Write a Thesis. 2. “ Capstone Project Definition .” The Glossary of Education Reform, 23 Mar. 2016.

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Senior Capstone/Thesis

The Senior Capstone in Chemistry and Biochemistry is required for the Bachelor of Science degree, and is designed to provide the student with laboratory research experience. Participation in research helps in choosing careers, develops mentoring relationships with faculty and other members of research groups, and is the best way to learn science. Students in the Honors College can use the senior capstone thesis toward both the Chemistry and Biochemistry degree and for the required Honors Thesis. A minimum of two semesters of laboratory work (including a minimum of 6 units total of CHEM/BIOC 498(h) credit is required, which begins during a student’s penultimate semester. It is usually comprised of focused research work, followed by a semester of writing a thesis. Students who choose not to complete the Senior Capstone in Biochemistry can still obtain a degree in Biochemistry, however they must switch to a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry (talk to your academic advisor).

TO ENROLL FOR SENIOR CAPSTONE/THESIS CREDIT (CHEM/BIOC 498/498H) STUDENTS MUST:

1. Work with the faculty research advisor   to write a Senior Capstone/Thesis Prospectus to include with the CBC Capstone Thesis. Only general faculty are available to be research faculty advisors, not post-docs, graduate or undergraduate students. However they can be listed as supervisors on the thesis form.

• a statement of the problem
• background information
• methods to be used
• expected outcomes

2. Biochemistry and Chemistry students will be enrolled for credit by Olivia Mendoza, Undergraduate Senior Program Coordinator,  after obtaining signatures from the research faculty mentor and your faculty advisor.

Note: Biochemistry majors wanting to work in laboratories of faculty outside of Chemistry & Biochemistry must obtain permission from the department, contact Olivia Mendoza at  [email protected] .  The process of obtaining approval of the Senior Capstone/Thesis must be completed prior to the start of the first semester of research. This would normally be in the spring semester of the junior year.

It is the policy of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry that students enrolled in an Individual course such as Senior Thesis/Capstone, Directed Research, Independent Student and Preceptor units cannot be paid for the same hours as lab work. Therefore, academic credit can be awarded only for faculty-approved academic work as defined by department policy, whereas, paid laboratory work must follow university or programmatic policies for student employment.

3. There are no exams for CHEM/BIOC498(H).  At the end of your first semester, your research mentor will assign you a grade based on the agreed upon criteria in the registration form. After one semester of research, students must submit a revised Prospectus to their Biochemistry Faculty Advisor.

4. Before your second semester of Capstone/Thesis begins, touch base with your research mentor to clarify what you should be focusing on for this final semester.  It is expected that the research faculty mentor will work with the student as the student prepares and writes the thesis.

5. At the start of your second semester , complete and submit the Registration Form for Capstone/Thesis (the most current form is available on the  Undergraduate Studies Forms page ) – Second Semester. Use the form to help you plan out your writing tasks for this semester. Writing should be an ongoing process during the second semester, so that there is ample time to work on the thesis drafts with input from the research faculty mentor.

6. At least 2 weeks prior to the completion of classes for the second semester, the student must submit a thesis  in  scientific paper format  for approval by the research mentor and by the Biochemistry faculty advisor. The Capstone/Thesis is not only the documentation of your research project, but also a scientific writing assignment. Before submission of the senior Capstone/Thesis, the research faculty mentor must sign the title page (with date), signifying approval of the thesis for both scientific content, scope of the Capstone/Thesis, and writing style. The student should then bring the Capstone/Thesis to their assigned BIOC faculty advisor for their approval and signature. The BIOC faculty advisor will only approve the thesis after they have read the document. Once approved by the BIOC faculty advisor the thesis is turned in to the senior program coordinator in the CBC Advising office by email at  [email protected] . 

7. Students graduating in the spring and summer semesters are required to present a poster in spring,  of their senior Capstone/Thesis (includes Honors Thesis) at the  Annual CBC Poster Fair Contest , a special presentation for undergraduate research and senior thesis presentations sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.   Fall Graduates are required to present at a fall poster fair, unless specified.

8. At the end of the semester, honors students must submit their Senior Honors Thesis  to the  Honors College  by the last day of classes. The deadline to submit your thesis is usually one week before finals. Research advisors/mentors will assign grades after the completed Capstone/Thesis is submitted.

If Interested in This Program, Contact:

Olivia mendoza, phone: (520) 621-3868, email:  o [email protected].

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Honors Program > Academics > Senior Thesis & Capstone

​​​Capping Off Your College Career

Honors seniors conclude their studies with a final scholarly or creative project of their own design, completed either through an Honors Senior Capstone course or a senior thesis.  Students apply the research skills they have honed and draw from the interdisciplinary knowledge they have gained to produce a work of original scholarship that marks their transition from student to scholar​. 

Honors Senior Thesis

Honors capstone course.

​Students who choose not to complete a senior thesis project instead conclude their Honors education with an interdisciplinary capstone seminar.  The capstone seminar provides students with the opportunity to explore one final interdisciplinary topic and to draw upon what they have learned throughout their undergraduate career to produce a substantial research project.​​

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What is a Capstone Project in College?

The capstone project in college is the apogee, or completion marker, of a student's coursework leading to the culmination of their program with a degree in their chosen field of study. The original definition of a capstone focuses on the actual stone placed at the top of a wall or building, marking the successful completion of the structure. It's a significant and celebrated piece of architecture, considered to be the most important of an entire construction project.

"(Capstone projects are) the apex of all a student's work done throughout their college career," said Dr. Jeff Czarnec , a social sciences adjunct online and on-campus at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Retired after 23 years in law enforcement, Czarnec served as an associate dean of criminal justice and social sciences at SNHU for nearly a decade. He now leverages his extensive background to teach social sciences, enriching the academic experience with his practical insights. 

When entering a capstone course, there's an expectation that you have all the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful. 

You have the opportunity to pick a research topic that is of interest to you and run with it. "After having to write research papers in all of their courses prior to (the capstone), the task is not one to dread, but to enjoy. It is their time to shine as students and to enjoy the journey," MacCarty said.

A capstone course is more than a potential degree requirement. It can serve as an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge mastery and creative thinking, which may help you stand out to potential employers.

What is Involved in a Capstone Project?

Each university, program and instructor may have different requirements — or models — for a capstone project. According to Czarnec, a general design might first include selecting a topic of interest that the instructor will approve. 

Czarnec said that, depending on the program, a capstone may include anything from a video presentation or an architectural model to an art exhibit or short film; however, it almost always includes a paper demonstrating an introduction, theory, evaluation, research and individual issues relevant to the proposal.

"Students are expected to be ready to enter the world as professionals in their field upon completion of the capstone course," said MacCarty.

The time it takes to complete a capstone project usually depends on the course's length. If you're in an undergraduate online program at SNHU, for instance, your capstone course would take eight weeks to complete, Czarnec said. 

Capstone courses are research-based, and you can choose your topic early on, allowing you more freedom to conduct research  independently. Capstone topics usually align with a program's specific disciplines, too.

For example, in the social sciences realm, "our focus is on human behavior and cognition, which may be different from a capstone course in business or STEM," MacCarty said.

Find Your Program

Types of capstones.

There are many types of capstone projects that you could consider, and they vary from learner to learner, Czarnec said. "Some will investigate issues or phenomenon that they are familiar with either professionally, personally or courtesy of a discipline-related source, such (as) a police or human services agency," he said. 

In a nutshell, a rough outline of a capstone, according to Czarnec, may look something like this:

• Select a topic and have it approved by the instructor
• Evaluate relevance to the proposal
• Perform necessary research
• Present results in the agreed-upon fashion

Czarnec said that if you're looking for a capstone topic, you may consider focusing on an area you're passionate about or you could also try to ask you instructor for some assistance. For example, Czarnec said that he can act as a guide, mentor, editor and research resource for his students to help them focus and narrow their search for a capstone topic.

Are Capstone Projects Difficult?

"Not necessarily," said Czarnec. "It does force you to be efficient and very specific to topic. No fluff. Straight forward. Razor sharp." 

The capstone is more of an opportunity to catch your breath, he said, and to retrace and pull up what you have learned in a more stress-free environment .

"It helps validate students as learners," Czarnec said.

Depending on the major and course requirements, there may be opportunities to connect with outside contacts, not only to assist with the capstone project research and problem statement but also to provide a networking community .

"Not every research project is, nor should they be, the same," Czarnec said. "Everyone has a different approach."

What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Capstone Project?

A capstone is similar to a thesis in that the starting point involves the strengths needed for a thesis or dissertation work. For example, you may need to consider the skeletal structure of research and form your theory, hypothesis and problem statement.

"While a capstone is certainly a scholarly piece of work and does share some aspects of a thesis, the time and detail that is required of a master's thesis is greater," MacCarty said. 

A capstone paper may be 25 pages, whereas a thesis could be 100 or more. If you choose to further your education beyond a bachelor's degree, the capstone project could be an invaluable tool in preparing for a graduate thesis.

Capstone Projects are About Your Success

Capstones of all programs are leading you to the end game, Czarnec said. The goal is to develop you into a well-rounded thinker who can pull their work together in a coherent, articulate, well-organized fashion while considering the demands of the profession or vocation you're interested in.

The focus and intent of a capstone should be to create an effective device to assess and measure all that you've learned throughout your program in an aggregate fashion so you can demonstrate your life-long vocational skills in a nice, neat package. 

"My goal is for students to leave the program confident about their skills and abilities," said Czarnec.

MacCarty said that capstone courses should be structured to support your success in fulfilling program requirements and allow you the opportunity to showcase your academic abilities and skills gained throughout your degree program.

A degree can change your life. Choose your program  from 200+ SNHU degrees that can take you where you want to go.

Laurie Smith '14 is a writer, editor and communications specialist. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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Best Practices for Capstones

See the College Curriculum Council's report on best practices for capstone projects.

Many Brown graduates spend a portion of their senior year hard at work on an independent project of their own design. A senior capstone project enables students to synthesize knowledge gained in the (inter)discipline(s), often by allowing students to apply what they have learned.

A senior capstone experience can be any kind of project that draws on what you have learned in your concentration. It is usually completed in close consultation with an advisor. An honors thesis or independent study is one obvious type of capstone. A performance or art opening is another. And, depending on one's goals, a focused internship or other kind of educational work experience could be another, especially if carried out in consultation with a faculty mentor. Many concentrations at Brown, particularly interdisciplinary and joint concentrations, require a senior capstone experience. Even if such a culminating project is not required by a student's concentration, we encourage all juniors to include such a project in their senior-year planning.

Brown offers several resources to help rising seniors think carefully about possible capstone projects. Faculty members and concentration advisors represent a deep pool of intellectual expertise and can help with the planning and execution. Dean Lindsay Garcia , the Assistant Dean for Junior and Senior Studies, is also available to discuss capstone endeavors or other issues pertaining to your final year at Brown.

Seniors who wish to share their capstone projects with the larger campus community should consider applying to the  Theories in Action  exchange held each spring.

Examples of Departmental Approaches to Capstones

Environmental studies, modern culture and media.

What Is a Capstone Project?

Find your degree.

At the end of many educational experiences, students may complete a capstone project. But what does that actually mean? Depending on the school and field of study, this project represents a final intellectual experience that demonstrates your academic proficiency. Sounds a little intimidating, right? But it’s not! In this post, we will discuss what exactly a capstone project entails and what you can expect if you are required to complete one.

Though some high school students may complete a capstone project, it’s usually geared toward college students. From massive public universities to small private institutions and even online colleges, postsecondary education institutions increasingly embrace capstone projects as a way for students to display their proficiency before graduation.

Understanding the finer points of capstone projects and what to expect could help you start this incredible academic experience on the right foot.

Table of Contents

Why Capstone Projects Matter

Capstone projects provide students with the opportunity to experience real-world issues in their chosen field and demonstrate workforce readiness. A college graduate can share their capstone with potential employers to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities. 

In some fields, the senior project means developing a new technology, but in others, it could entail proposing potential solutions to problems. Regardless of the academic field, a capstone project is a way for students to challenge themselves, practice critical thinking skills, and apply everything they learned to an actual issue in their world.

Capstone Projects and Online College

With the rise in popularity of online colleges, especially for professionals seeking advanced degrees, capstone projects are becoming even more prevalent. 

Capstone projects in these programs give online college students the opportunity to incorporate their academics with real-world experience to round out their degrees. It’s a powerful way to enhance the educational experience within the flexibility of an online program.

See also: Online College Stude n t Success Formula

Capstone Project vs. Senior Thesis

A capstone project is similar to a senior thesis but not the same. Both are valuable parts of any educational experience, but it’s essential to understand the difference between them, especially since there could be some overlap. 

Capstone projects, also known as culminating projects or senior exhibitions, aim to accomplish more than a traditional thesis. Students must integrate more skills to solve a problem put forth by a project committee or a client. The capstone project should address the intellectual community and the public, though this can be present in various ways.

On the other hand, a thesis is an academic paper meant for other intellectuals within the field. That said, it is possible to have a thesis as part of your capstone project.

You might also like: How to Plan Your Senior Thesis

What Does a Capstone Project Include? 

Since it’s a comprehensive demonstration and conclusion to a student’s academic journey, a capstone can involve several components. Not every capstone features the same elements or pathway, but there are some commonalities.

Typical Steps to a Capstone Project

The Capstone Course

Depending on your major and school, you may have one general capstone course or a selection of courses. Some programs feature three separate classes within a major so that students can narrow their focus. Additionally, some capstones may require students to attend a seminar or work in groups as part of the experience.

Choose Your Topic

Generally, your topic should involve something related to your field of study. It may be a problem presented by a business or potential client, or it could be a broader issue.

The topic should interest you and create a space to exercise critical thinking and planning skills while maintaining established deadlines. For example, a nursing student may attempt to improve a specific diagnostic test, or somebody in information technology may create new software to enhance existing voice recognition programming.

The Proposal

Before beginning a capstone course, students must outline a detailed proposal in the form of an academic paper. It must provide a broad overview of what the student intends to research. For example, a typical proposal includes:

• Introduction to the chosen topic
• Theories and hypothesis
• Literature review
• The chosen methodology 
• Alternatives and issues that could impact the project

It’s important to note that even if ten students enroll in a capstone course, each project would be unique and reflect individual approaches, skills, and interests. 

Students must maintain regular contact with an advisor throughout the capstone process. Advisors can provide invaluable support and guidance to ensure a project fulfills all requirements and adheres to established timelines. Generally, students work one-on-one with their capstone advisor to foster a robust and open relationship.

Academic Research and Paper

While an advisor can provide guidance and support, students need to handle research independently. Thorough research should involve books, papers, and other studies to give a comprehensive groundwork for the project. 

Though a capstone proposal can serve as a baseline for the final paper, it’s merely a starting point. The final capstone paper should incorporate elements from the proposal and include the research, independent experimentation, results, and conclusions. For some students, the academic paper may be a traditional thesis.

The Presentation

Part of the capstone experience involves a presentation where students deliver their findings or final project to a panel. It’s an excellent way to practice public speaking skills and share findings with the academic community.

When Do You Complete a Capstone Project? 

Capstone projects reflect a final academic experience before graduation. Middle school and high school students can complete lighter versions to introduce the concepts. But in general, college seniors and graduate students generally complete capstones.

Typically, college and graduate students begin capstone projects prior to their final academic school year. It may be a required course for graduation or to receive a special diploma or academic honors. 

It’s important to note that a capstone project generally involves registering for a particular class or series of courses. However, some institutions allow students to complete independent research studies and capstones.

How Do Capstone Projects Differ Between Majors and Degrees?

Since capstones demonstrate a student’s mastery of their field of study, it makes sense that different majors and degrees have unique requirements and standards. A music major’s senior project won’t look anything like a pre-med student’s project because they have entirely different skill sets and interests.

Capstone projects also differ between degrees. Expectations for an undergraduate student could look starkly different from those for a graduate student.

Prerequisites

Most capstones have prerequisites to complete before enrolling in the courses or finding an advisor. You may need to complete a full series of classes or a handful of preparatory coursework. Some majors may require external experiences, like participation in a research study or internship.

The Final Project

Depending on the school and major, students may have the option to choose a special arrangement for their capstone. Though students can share their work in unique ways, most capstones still involve a primary academic paper documenting the entire process.

Types of Capstone Projects

Senior thesis.

Perhaps the most traditional route is a senior thesis paper. Again, some schools use the terms interchangeably, but as noted above, a thesis can be one component of a capstone, but a capstone involves more than an academic paper.

Live Performances

Performers, like musicians, dancers, and actors, may prefer to demonstrate their skills through a live performance. A pianist may write a piece of music, or a dancer may choreograph a dance to perform for an audience. It could be a solo performance or part of an exhibition with peers also completing capstones.

Portfolio or Exhibit

Like performers, other creative artists may choose to display their skills with a portfolio. Writers, sculptors, and painters may devote time and research to their craft to find their voice and then prepare a portfolio showcasing their best pieces. 

Physical Products

There is something to be said for a physical representation of a student’s academic skills. Building a custom website or creating a prototype could be the best way to showcase their ability and solve a problem. 

How Long Does a Capstone Project Take to Complete? 

The short answer is that capstone projects vary in duration. Younger students may devote several weeks up to a semester to their capstone projects. College students can spend half a year or more on their senior project. Some schools require students to complete year-long capstones. 

How Can a Student Prepare for Their Capstone Project?

Like most college coursework, capstone projects require prerequisites and intense preparation. Part of a capstone involves planning, which may start as early as the first year to ensure a solid foundation by the time senior year rolls around.

Meeting Prerequisites

As mentioned previously, prerequisites vary between programs. It’s important to know if your major or degree requires a capstone experience for graduation. If so, it’s a good idea to create a checklist with the requirements to ensure you meet them. You don’t want to find out as a college senior that you lack the required courses to take your capstone!

Obviously, a capstone requires significant coursework in the field. A psychology major probably wouldn’t complete a capstone in civil engineering just because they took one class in that area. However, that doesn’t mean that they only need psychology courses. Students may need to take research or statistics classes to prepare for a research-based capstone.

Planning the Project

Capstone projects involve long-term commitments, and it’s not something to do over a weekend. Even for the procrastinators out there, a capstone project requires setting deadlines and meeting them. 

It’s a good idea to start planning the summer before your capstone course, even if it’s a rough outline or schedule for what you need to accomplish each month. Planning ahead keeps your project on track and ensures that you can graduate on time! 

Helpful Tips for a Successful Capstone Project

Capstone projects represent everything a student learns and experiences throughout their education. It’s a way to demonstrate knowledge and skill in a field of study, but it’s also a chance to explore and potentially solve a real-world issue. Before embarking on the capstone journey for yourself, it may help to have some tips and tricks to help you succeed.

Create a Challenge

As many successful people can tell you, it’s wise to keep learning new things. While a capstone should demonstrate your knowledge in the field, it should also challenge you and push you to think outside the box. 

Capstones open doors to explore new facets of your field, solve problems, and introduce something different into the world. As you consider potential projects, make a list of questions about what could be learned, changed, or advanced in your field. 

The Power of Passion

Who wants to spend ten weeks, six months, or a year on something that bores them to tears? Make sure you feel true passion for your project before submitting a proposal. Even the alternate ideas should interest you enough to pursue them long-term.

Connect with Your Advisor

Your advisor is a critical part of your capstone experience, so it’s vital to form a genuine connection. Make regular contact to brainstorm ideas, receive feedback on your progress, and work through problems. They can be an extra set of eyes on your final paper, methodologies, and even a sounding board for your presentation.

Keep in mind that video conferences, phone calls, and even emails are excellent ways to keep in touch. Your advisor is there to mentor you throughout the capstone process and ensure a successful result. 

Be Creative

No matter what the field of study, creativity counts. Thinking outside the box says a lot about you as a person. Creating a unique capstone project is a great way to stand out from the rest of your class and make a name in the field.

See Also: Online College Resources

Completing Your Educational Experience with a Capstone Project

No matter where you graduate from, capstone projects mark the end of a college journey. It’s the perfect opportunity to integrate everything you learned with real-life issues to showcase your complete skill set. 

Though often viewed as research projects, capstones entail much more and provide an opportunity to delve deeper into your chosen field. While it’s not always a required course, it’s in your best interest to take advantage of such an incredible opportunity to showcase your talents and abilities to future employers. You never know what doors the project could open! 

Senior Honors Thesis Policies and Procedures

Registration for the senior honors thesis.

Please keep these guidelines in mind:

• You must register for the appropriate senior honors thesis course in your major (or as an  interdisciplinary senior thesis ). You must register for two consecutive semesters.
• You must submit a  Thesis Honors Candidate Form , within the first six weeks of the first semester of thesis.
• Most students undertake this project during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. However, if you intend to graduate early, or are one semester behind, you may opt to start the thesis in the spring semester and complete it at the end of the fall semester.
• Students in the five-year combined-degree BA/BFA program may complete the honors thesis in their fourth or fifth year.
• If you have had to take a leave for one semester, you can complete the senior honors thesis following a fall-fall or spring-spring schedule.
• You may not register for the honors thesis during the summer session or while studying abroad.

Senior Thesis Alternatives

Besides the senior honors thesis, there are other kinds of independent research-based capstone projects you may undertake as a senior. A shorter, less intense senior capstone project is a good option for seniors who do not have the time to devote to a year-long honors thesis. These alternatives are generally for one semester, allow greater flexibility for non-traditional or creative approaches, and involve no committee, no defense, and no thesis honors. You should discuss your options with your advisor.

Senior Thesis Guidelines by Major Department

Check your department’s policies on thesis honors and deadlines for thesis proposals.

Arts and Sciences Majors

If your major or major department is not listed above, contact the department chair or department administrator to see if there are departmental sources of information about the senior honors thesis for your major. You can also do a senior honors thesis outside your major through the  Center for Interdisciplinary Studies .

Engineering Majors

Biomedical engineering.

The Honors Thesis in Biomedical Engineering is a two-semester research experience (BME 89 & BME 90) that involves experimental, computational, or theoretical work to test a scientific hypothesis or advance scientific knowledge. The Honors Thesis should be based on a critical survey of the scientific literature and is expected to contain new results that are suitable for a conference presentation or publication in a scientific journal. The research nature of the Honors Thesis distinguishes it from the engineering design focus of the biomedical engineering senior capstone project (BME 7 & BME 8). The activities performed for the Honors Thesis must be separate and distinct from those of the Senior Capstone project. The format of the Honors Thesis is the same as that of an MS thesis, with a typical length of 40-60 pages (12 pt font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins). The oral defense is a 30-minute power point presentation open to the public, followed by questions from the audience and from the Honors Thesis committee.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Students should aspire to produce scholarly work that can be published in the peer-reviewed literature.      Proposal: Students are required to submit a written research proposal to their thesis committee at the beginning of the spring semester of their senior year, no later than February 1. This proposal should be developed in consultation with the thesis advisor. Length: The primary emphasis of the honors thesis is quality of work, and the typical length ranges from 40-60 pages (12 pt. font, double-spaced, one-inch margins). Defense: Students are required to give an oral presentation before their thesis committee and answer questions related to their work. The defense is open to the public and must be announced two weeks in advance. The oral presentation should last approximately 30 minutes and is followed by questions from the audience and the thesis committee.

Computer Science

Honors theses can vary as to the amount of library versus lab research. The written component should be extensive, with a survey of past work, references, and an outline of future work.

Length: Minimum of 30-40 pages. Defense: A talk with questions from the committee; format could be anything from chalk to PowerPoint.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The honors thesis is intended to be a research (hypothesis-driven) experience, as opposed to the senior design course, which is a design and development (need-driven) experience. The senior thesis should consist of more laboratory/computer research (hypothesis testing) than the design course. The thesis doesn't necessarily result in the kind of tangible product the design course demands. The honors thesis should have a strong basis in the published literature, and the thesis itself is intended to have the formatting and style of a M.S. thesis, with the content and depth appropriate to an advanced undergraduate. Ideally the thesis document contains discoveries that become incorporated into a journal paper or conference presentation. These publications, of course, take a long time and are unlikely to be completed before the student graduates. The senior thesis is a stepping stone into the realm of graduate research. Of course, some senior theses are more product based, and result in new ideas to solve existing problems (and perhaps new intellectual property). Length: 30-100 pages (including figures), but the actual length depends on the sub-discipline. Defense:  A PowerPoint talk is given to the committee in a public forum. The presentation lasts roughly 30 minutes and is followed by approximately 30 minutes of questions from the committee and then from the audience.

Mechanical Engineering

The honors thesis is an optional course which takes the place of one ME elective. The thesis is formally one semester, but requires a lead-in semester of independent study (for credit), so it is effectively two semesters. The thesis requires a research project as opposed to simply a design. The end product is a written thesis as well as a presentation. Proposal: Students are required to file a one-page proposal outlining the planned research, signed by your advisor and the chair of the department. Length:  40-50 pages is typical. Defense:  Students give a PowerPoint presentation before the committee and answer questions. The presentation lasts 30 minutes and is critiqued by your thesis committee.

Senior Honors Thesis Details

Interdisciplinary senior thesis versus senior thesis in your major.

Many majors require a senior capstone in some form, and completing a senior honors thesis is one way to fulfill this capstone requirement. If completed within your major, the two credits earned toward your senior honors thesis will count toward your major. You may only pursue an honors thesis in one of your declared majors; you may not split your thesis among two majors. If you want to pursue a senior thesis in your minor instead of your major, on a topic that spans two or more subjects or that takes a non-traditional approach not supported by your major, you may apply to pursue an  interdisciplinary honors thesis ; however, the two credits earned will not count toward your major.

Senior Honors Thesis Faculty Advising Committee

In order to undertake an honors thesis, you must find professors willing to serve on your thesis committee, which consists of at least two people:

• Committee chair (also called a primary thesis advisor)- this must be a full-time faculty member affiliated with your major.
• Second reader-this must be a Tufts faculty member from the same department or another department.

Optional Third Reader

A few departments require at least three thesis advisors, and some students pursuing interdisciplinary topics prefer three people on their committee. The third member of the committee may be another professor from Tufts or a professor from another institution. In some cases, the third reader may be from outside academia. A full-time graduate student in engineering or arts and sciences may also be eligible to serve as your third reader (with permission from Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies). The third reader may add an interdisciplinary perspective to your project. The reader should be Boston-based to participate in the defense and other committee meetings.

Part-Time Faculty Thesis Advisor Exception

In rare cases, the only person suitable to advise a student’s research is a part-time faculty member. In such cases, the part-time faculty member must be approved by the department chair and the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences or Engineering.

The Role of Your Thesis Committee

The most important decisions involving your thesis – its content, form, and length – are left up to your thesis committee.

• The whole committee should meet with you two or three times during your thesis year.
• Each committee member must be present for your thesis defense at the end of the second semester, but it is important for the entire committee to meet at least once or twice before the defense to resolve any differences about the direction of your research.
• After the defense, the committee decides on your final grade and determines whether to award thesis honors.

Each thesis committee is unique, but the committee chair will usually have the most contact with you. You should work with your committee at the beginning of your senior year to determine the role of each member and how much feedback and direct guidance you should expect from each of them. Here are some general guidelines for each committee member’s role: Primary Thesis Advisor

• Oversees your progress on the research and development of your thesis.
• Meets with you frequently at regular intervals throughout the year.
• Helps you resolve issues of research, focus, content, and form.
• Assigns deadlines for bibliographies, drafts of chapters, and revisions.
• Reads and comments on the various drafts and sections you submit.
• Convenes the thesis defense and keeps it on track and on time.
• Is responsible for submitting the grade and thesis honors form by the deadline.

Your Second Reader (and Optional Third Reader)

• Gives you expert guidance on issues of content and methodology relevant to your topic.
• Reads your thesis manuscript prior to the defense.
• May or may not read earlier versions or drafts of sections throughout the year.
• Must be present at and participate in your defense.
• Assesses your work and deliberates with the committee chair to assign a final grade (and thesis honors, if merited).

Occasionally, the second reader may have more expertise on your thesis topic than the committee chair. In this case, the second reader will play a more active role in advising your thesis and should expect to read and respond to drafts regularly throughout the year.

The Thesis Defense

Your senior honors thesis will culminate in a final examination called a “defense.” The defense combines a formal presentation of your research and results, followed by a question-and-answer period and some discussion, and then deliberation among your committee about your grade and potential for thesis honors. Your defense may be open to the public or invited guests, or it may be behind closed doors with just you and your committee.

Thesis Honors

Your senior thesis may earn no honors, Honors in Thesis, High Honors in Thesis, or Highest Honors in Thesis based on the quality of the final product and your overall progress throughout the year. Thesis honors will be indicated on your transcript. If you earn no honors, you will still earn eight credits and your transcript will indicate “Senior Thesis” for those credits. Thesis honors are distinct from  Latin Honors , but some departments require independent research or completion of a senior honors thesis for a student to be eligible for  summa cum laude .

Archiving Your Completed Thesis Manuscript

Your completed honors thesis is considered an important scholarly work, and by submitting it to Tufts Digital Collections and Archives, you ensure it is accessible to future students.

After your thesis defense and before commencement, go to the  MIRA website  and upload your honors thesis as a PDF. This should be the final, completed, corrected version ready for posterity. Complete the deposit form and select “Agree and Deposit.”

Delayed Release of Archived Honors Thesis

In rare situations, you may want to consider a delayed release of your senior honors thesis. An “embargo” is a temporary delay in the online release of your honors thesis in order to avoid conflict with a pending patent or forthcoming publication, by you, your thesis advisor, or other members of your research team. You may select to delay the release of your thesis for six months to two years. Ask your thesis advisor about the embargo option and timeframe if one or more of the following situations applies to your thesis research:

• Pending patent
• Pending publication
• Potential for future patent or publication by your thesis advisor or research team
• Complicated situations (such as national security)

Institutional Review Board

If your senior thesis involves interviews, surveys, or the use of human subjects for social, behavioral, educational, or medical research, you will need prior approval (or a formal waiver) from the  Institutional Review Board (IRB)   before  you may proceed with your research. The IRB “reviews all human subject research protocols to determine if they are assuring adequate protection of human participants.” These protocols apply to student research and may apply to interviews conducted in the United States or abroad, especially those involving vulnerable populations (such as children and refugees). If you think your research may fall into this category, talk to your faculty advisor or department chair or contact the IRB.

Petitioning for a Dean’s List Waiver

A student who has been on the  Dean’s List  fewer than two times but has the strong backing of a faculty advisor and department chair may appeal to Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising, Caitlin Casey , to request permission to waive the Dean’s List requirement. This consideration is routinely extended to transfer students. The student should write the appeal in an email message to Dean Casey and copy their faculty thesis advisor and the department chair. If they do not meet criteria established by the department, the department chair may determine whether there is merit for a waiver to the usual policy. Submit the petition before the sixth week of the first semester of the thesis.

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Senior Capstone Project

The culmination of your New College education is the senior capstone project, which might be a long research paper, write-up of lab research, body of artwork, or a musical or theatrical performance. If you can win faculty support for your dream project, you can do it.

The Senior Capstone Project – commonly referred to as the thesis – is your opportunity to show what you’ve learned and how you’ve put that knowledge to work.  During your first three years, you spend time getting to know your faculty and yourself, discovering passions and abilities you might not have realized you had. By the time you begin your third year at New College, you’ll be thinking about who you’d like to ask to be your thesis sponsor and about class or tutorial projects that you wish you could take further. You’ll know your own abilities, and you’ll be ready for the chance to really show what you can do now that you’re nearing graduation.

The final baccalaureate examination varies a bit in different disciplines, from a spirited defense of your work to a friendly conversation about where it could go next. The exam is your final chance to explain your work, what you’ve discovered and why it matters. A committee of at least three faculty members will focus just on you and your work for more than an hour. And when you graduate, you’ll have a project that you can use to springboard into your future, whether that includes graduate study, art-making, or moving into a profession right away.

In May, students can present their original research at New Scholars New College. These may include colorful poster presentations, musical performances, a student film or oral presentations that showcase your original, independent research. There is also an annual Senior Thesis Art Exhibit featuring a selection of artwork from the art students’ final year of studies, held either on campus or at a public gallery space in downtown Sarasota. Both New Scholars and the exhibit are wonderful opportunities to share your work with the general public.

Student Rory Renzy discusses his political science thesis

Professor Heidi Harley speaks on the thesis experience

Senior Capstone

• Undergraduate

The capstone will be normally be completed in a student’s last undergraduate year, and it should make use of a significant portion of what the student has learned in their undergraduate education, broadly interpreted. There are three options for the capstone course in philosophy:

• A Senior Thesis : A substantial paper, typically about 40-60 pages, that is researched and written over the course of the senior year under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Typically, students writing a thesis will enroll in PHIL 1995, Senior Thesis, both semesters. (In order for a student to be permitted to write a Senior Thesis, they must have completed at least six courses in the concentration and have received a grade either of A or of Satisfactory with Distinction in more than half of them.)
• An Independent Study: A one-semester reading course PHIL 1990 under the direction of a faculty advisor, leading to a substantial research paper, typically 15-25 pages.
• A Special Project undertaken in connection with a philosophy course at or above 0990: Examples include a more-in-depth final paper than is otherwise required or a presentation of some of the material to the class, though students are encouraged to make creative proposals, as well. The specific project should be discussed with, and must be approved by, the instructor of the relevant course.

Every philosophy concentrator must file the Declaration of Capstone Project (which is part of the concentration declaration) by the end of shopping period in their final semester.

Senior Capstone

Whether they're called senior capstones or some other name, these culminating experiences ask students nearing the end of their college years to create a project of some sort that integrates and synthesizes what they've learned. The project might be a thesis, a performance or an exhibit of artwork. In spring and summer 2023, we invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 15 institutions with stellar examples of senior capstones. Colleges and universities that received 10 or more nominations are ranked here. Read the methodology »

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Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

• #1 in Senior Capstone
• #1 in National Universities

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

(fall 2022)

SAT, GPA and More

Yale University

New Haven, CT

• #2 in Senior Capstone
• #5 in National Universities

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

The College of Wooster

Wooster, OH

• #3 in Senior Capstone
• #75 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

Founded in 1866, The College of Wooster is a private institution. The College of Wooster offers a Greek system, where 12 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 12% is involved in a fraternity.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

• #4 in Senior Capstone
• #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)

About 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.

Brown University

Providence, RI

• #5 in Senior Capstone
• #9 in National Universities  (tie)

At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

• #6 in Senior Capstone
• #3 in National Universities  (tie)

The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

• #7 in Senior Capstone
• #2 in National Universities

Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

• #8 in Senior Capstone
• #24 in National Universities  (tie)

Carnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science and fine arts.

Elon University

• #9 in Senior Capstone
• #133 in National Universities  (tie)

Elon University is located in Elon, N.C., between Greensboro and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle. With more than 240 clubs and organizations, there are many ways for students to get involved. Every Tuesday, the community hosts College Coffee, a weekly campus tradition during which faculty, staff and students gather for coffee and snacks at the Phi Beta Kappa Commons. Students can work off the extra calories participating in intramural, club or varsity sports. The Phoenix, Elon’s varsity athletic teams, compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Greek organizations are a significant part of social life on campus, representing about 35% of the student body. All first- and second-year students are required to live on campus in one of the residence halls.

Duke University

• #10 in Senior Capstone
• #7 in National Universities  (tie)

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.