Capstone

Capstone Information

The M.A. in Geography requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate work. The composition of this coursework (required versus elective) differs across concentrations as detailed below. All students must, as a part of their total 36 hours, complete a minimum of 6 hours of capstone credit. In addition, all students are required to pass an oral defense of both the proposal and the final version of their individual capstone project. All GEOG 7900 Research Projects are evaluated by a committee of faculty. Committees must have a minimum of three members composed of the graduate faculty of the department–or related departments. Committee members may include outside members from other departments or internship coordinators from off-campus agencies when appropriate.

Checklist

Master’s Thesis Checklist | The Graduate School | UNC Charlotte

Research Options

The program requires all students to complete an individual capstone research project.  Although individual research experiences may differ, students should pursue research experiences that are appropriate to departmental faculty resources, individual student’s programs and career goals, and the availability of opportunities that exist to work with allied agencies or clients on or off campus.  One of three options, depending on the previously stated stipulations, is available: 1) a research experience similar to that of a traditional academic capstone (what most students choose); 2) a research experience which involves a paid or unpaid internship funded by and arranged with a public or private agency or client; and 3) a research experience involving a Master of Urban Design (MUD) capstone studio project brief (MUDD 7120; MUDD 7102).

Each of these options fulfills program requirements equally.  Each produces a finished research effort of thesis quality.  These options provide a choice for students to pursue a research problem in a direction of their individual interest. In all cases, students must work closely with their advisor and program committee to choose the option which best fits both their particular program and prevailing circumstances. 

Internship-as-Capstone Requirements

Project Origin: The capstone project is a work-driven effort where the research problem is defined by the needs of the host organization.

Academic Framework: While the project is practical, the final report must contextualize the work within the academic field. To meet the “thesis quality” standard, the report must include:

  1.  A formal literature review that situates the client’s problem within broader academic and theoretical conversations.
  2. A clear articulation of the methods and conceptual framework used to address the problem.
  3. A concluding discussion of the project’s findings, generalizability, and implications beyond the specific needs of the host organization.

Committee and Defense: The standard MA capstone process applies. The student’s faculty committee is responsible for ensuring the project maintains academic quality and meets all departmental requirements, including the components listed above, through the existing proposal and defense process.

Studio-Based Capstone Requirements

Project Origin: The capstone project is a design-driven effort where the research problem is defined by the MUDD capstone studio project brief (MUDD 7120; MUDD 7102).

Academic Framework: While the project is design-focused, the final report must contextualize the work within the academic field. To meet the “thesis quality” standard, the report must include:

  1. A formal literature review that situates the design problem within broader academic and theoretical conversations.
  2. A clear articulation of the methods and conceptual framework used to address the problem.
  3. A concluding discussion of the project’s findings, generalizability, and implications beyond the specific needs of the specific site.

Committee and Defense: The standard MA capstone process applies. The student’s faculty committee is responsible for ensuring the project maintains academic quality and meets all departmental requirements, including the components listed above, through the existing proposal and defense process.

These options provide a choice for students to pursue a research problem in a direction of his/her individual interest. In all cases, students must work closely with their advisor and program committee to choose the option which best fits both their particular program and prevailing circumstances. Not every student can expect to engage in a capstone research project that is a paid internship because the number of students frequently exceeds a matching number of opportunities funded in that manner. Unpaid internships provide the same caliber of experience and training in an applied environment. In some cases, that experience may relate students with nonprofit agencies or social services that simply do not have the resources to fund an internship. In either case, the topic of the internship is defined by the client’s problem or needs.

Proposal and Capstone Defense

To complete the program, all students are required to pass an oral defense of both the proposal and the final version of their individual capstone project. It is the responsibility of the advisor or committee chair, in consultation with the student, to arrange both proposal and capstone defense.

  • The proposal

Students must prepare and orally present a written research proposal that clearly outlines the purpose and scope of their research. Students should be prepared to respond to questions from their research committee, including questions on general topics addressed in their prior coursework. The proposal presentation is generally completed at the beginning (or during) the 3rd semester for full-time students.

Deadline: Proposal defense should be completed at least one semester before the capstone project defense. Capstone project defense must be completed by the last day of classes of the graduation term.

  • The defense

The defense of the individual research project (GEOG 7900), the capstone, is generally administered at the discretion of the committee chair and the student. When the advisor is satisfied that the student’s research and writing has progressed sufficiently, the research document is provided to the other members of the independent research committee; if they agree that the document is ready for a defense, an oral exam is scheduled.

Before the defense: MA students must request, at least one week prior to the defense, a Defense Announcement Form from the Graduate Support Admin, Rachel Smith at rachel.smith@charlotte.edu. Students must also email Rachel of the date of defense.

After the defense: MA students should work with the advisor and the defense committee to complete the Capstone Report Form (DocuSign) and the SLO (Student Learning Outcome) Forms (Google Form). Please reach out to Rachel Smith for the link to both forms. Once your committee is satisfied with the final report, please remind your advisor to grade GEOG 7900. Please also send a copy of the final report (PDF) to Rachel.

Deadline: Oral defense should be completed by the last day of classes in the graduation semester. Please also send a copy of the final report (PDF) to Rachel Smith at rachel.smith@charlotte.edu by the final grades due date.