Capstone - the final project for all students in their last semester of the program. It is a project that should demonstrate "a question of practical importance" within the homeland security field. It should link together the major concepts, skills, and examples of ethical leadership in the entire program curriculum. A plan must be developed to research, collect, and revise course artifacts that comprise the final project. The format will be proposed by the student and approved by the instructor. The creative project must demonstrate originality and follow the department's style requirements - currently, the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual. A capstone is often multifaceted, meaning a presentation or performance, a paper, and research all come together to complete the project. This is not a thesis.
A capstone project progresses in three stages as determined by the student and the advisor:
- Project development stage - submit IRB paperwork, if necessary, and develop all materials needed to implement your project.
- Research stage – evidence-based topic (sampling/data collection)
- Write-up & presentation of results stage - (open to the public), obtain final approval from the committee or advisor.
