The Capstone project is a way for you to individualize and personalize your educational experience here at UW. You get to choose your path, your direction, your focus, and your mentor. We hope you feel empowered to pursue your passions and feel supported in your efforts. Still have questions about the Capstone? Click each question below to read more about our most frequently asked questions from Honors students completing their Capstones.
No, you don’t need to sign up for a class to complete the Honors Capstone.
We do offer an independent study. You can take up to 3 credit hours of an Honors independent study per semester for up to a total of 6 hours overall. Remember that these hours will count as upper division electives but do not meet any specific requirements towards your degree or your Honors minor. For more information or to initiate this process, please contact honorscapstone@uwyo.edu.
Capstone projects range in length, and there is no definitive answer to “how long does an Honors capstone have to be?” The best way to identify an appropriate length for your capstone project is to discuss with your faculty mentor what would be appropriate given the nature of your project. Whatever the project’s precise length, we expect that it will be substantial in terms of your commitment and your educational development.
Yes! Check out student funding opportunities to learn more about our Enriched Education Grants, Capstone Research/Creative Grants, Capstone Completion grants and more to help support your work.
If you have a capstone project idea that would involve human subject research, your faculty mentor will likely have to submit an IRB (Institutional Review Board) application on your behalf before any research begins. This application process is routinely completed by capstone mentors and Honors students. You and your mentor should review the UW IRB Guidelines to determine if you need to file an application. If you have questions, please contact the Honors Capstone Coordinators, Dr. Joslyn Cassady and Dr. Thomas Grant, at honorscapstone@uwyo.edu.
The Honors College supports collaboration and will accept proposals for collaborative projects under the following guidelines:
Undertaking the Honors Capstone process is a significant commitment to a significant amount of work, but there are important benefits to consider:
An opportunity to explore, research, and create something that interests you
Gaining/honing a particular body of knowledge or skill set
Gaining experience in your public presentation and speaking abilities
Opportunity to reflect on and synthesize your undergraduate years of intellectual and personal growth
Development of professional relationships with a faculty mentor
Demonstration of academic motivation and intellectual specialization through a project to showcase to graduate programs or employers
Strong sense of accomplishment on having completed a significant research, creative, community-based, or entrepreneurial project
Honors distinction that is recorded on your transcript as an Honors Minor
You may contact the Honors Capstone Coordinators, Dr. Joslyn Cassady and Dr. Thomas Grant, at honorscapstone@uwyo.edu.