Capstone Guidance

Overview

On March 30, 2023, in response to the KBOR Systemwide General Education Framework (KBOR Core) and in an effort to align our existing KU Core Curriculum with this package, faculty voted to amend the USRR code, Article 3, Section 1.1, to integrate the capstone requirement previously reflected in the KU Core (Goal 6) into the Bachelor's Degree. The new amendment reads: 

USSR Section 1. Requirements for Graduation with the Bachelor's Degree:  

3.1.1 The minimum requirement for graduation with a bachelor's degree shall be 120 credit hours  and at least 45 hours shall be in junior-senior courses  (including a 3 credit capstone course or equivalent, as determined by the relevant academic unit), at least 30 hours of residence courses at the University of Kansas (as defined in Article IV of the Faculty Senate Rules and Regulations) and a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade point average for the coursework taken in residence at the University of Kansas. 

What is a Capstone? 

A capstone is meant to be a culminating experience that integrates or synthesizes learning within a student’s area(s) of study and provides students an opportunity to reflect on their experience as they prepare for their career or graduate/professional studies upon completion of their bachelor's degree. 

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U): 

Whether they’re called “senior capstones” or some other name, these culminating experiences require students nearing the end of their college years to create a project of some sort that integrates and applies what they’ve learned. The project might be a research paper, a performance, a portfolio of “best work,” or an exhibit of artwork (AAC&U, 2023). 

Why a Required Capstone?

A successful education promotes thinking within or across disciplines to generate original ideas, to be creative, and to find new ways of perception and expression. With such capabilities, students can make new and innovative discoveries that can change the world. Inherent in this goal is the integration of knowledge, creative thinking, and problem-solving across multiple courses and experiences.  

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) has identified capstone courses and projects as High-Impact Practices (HIPs), “based on evidence of significant educational benefits for students who participate in them—including and especially those from demographic groups historically underserved by higher education” (AAC&U, 2023).  

Research has shown that students who participate in capstone experiences are more likely to engage with their peers and instructors, perceive their college or university as a place of learning and support, and engage in higher-order learning (Kuh, 2008; NSSE 2021). 

FAQs

If you plan to continue to offer the course or experience to fulfill the capstone requirement, we recommend you review your capstone course(s) to ensure they are still in alignment with the learning outcomes and criteria for a capstone course.  

Additionally, verify that degree requirements note the course or experience fulfills the capstone requirement (effective Fall 2024).   

No action is needed on your part to decertify or remove the course from the KU Core unless you need to retire the course.  

If your department grants undergraduate degrees, your students must complete a capstone course or experience (effective Fall 2024). Your department can create a new course or may elect to allow students to complete a capstone course or experience offered by another department. If you’d like to use an experiential learning option for completing the capstone requirement, consider using LA&S 490: Internship Exploration, the Service-Learning Certificate, or an Alternative Break trip (UNIV 492) to meet the requirements. Email experience@ku.edu for more details about these options. 

Capstone courses and experiences must align with the Capstone Learning Outcomes and Criteria (formerly used for KU Core Goal 6).  

Once a department has identified their plans for the capstone requirement, they should submit the course or experience to the UCCC for approval.  

The Center for Teaching Excellence (cte.ku.edu) is a resource for developing a new capstone course or enhancing an existing course. 

The UCCC in partnership with AIRE has created a dashboard in OAC to help departments understand how their students have historically fulfilled Goal 6. For assistance in accessing this information, please contact the KU Core Support Team at kucore@ku.edu.  

The UCCC will continue to approve new capstone courses. Assessment of capstones will take place at the degree-level.

The UCCC voted on November 19, 2024 to approve the following learning outcome for capstone courses: 

Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to analyze and combine information from different areas within or across disciplines to approach and explain existing questions and problems from new perspectives, to pose new questions, to generate new ideas, and/or to work in imaginative ways that produce innovative expression. 

References

 

Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2023). High-impact practices. https://www.aacu.org/trending-topics/high-impact  

Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2009). Integrative and applied learning VALUE rubric. https://www.aacu.org/initiatives/value-initiative/value-rubrics/value-rubrics-integrative-and-applied-learning  

Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities. 

National Survey of Student Engagement. (2021). High-impact practices. https://nsse.indiana.edu/nsse/survey-instruments/high-impact-practices.html