MAPW Capstone Project

All students must complete a capstone project to graduate from the Program, and to do so, they must enroll in PRWR 7960: MAPW Capstone Project.

PRWR 7960: MAPW Capstone Project (6 Credit Hours)

1-6. Prerequisite: Completion of 27 credit hours in the MAPW program and at least four courses in the concentration; approval of capstone project.

A project designated as a thesis, portfolio or practicum and accompanied by a rationale for its purpose and design that involves electronic and/or print media and is relevant to the student's concentration in professional writing. After submitting an approved capstone proposal, the candidate works under the direction and advice of two faculty members to produce the project. The candidate must submit the capstone project at least two weeks before either (1) a discussion about the project with the faculty committee or (2) a public presentation about the project or a reading from the project for an audience of faculty and peers. The candidate will consult with the capstone committee chair and committee member about which option to choose.

We strongly recommend that students enroll for three semester hours of PRWR 7960 in two succeeding semesters.

1. Before enrolling in PRWR 7960, you must:

• form a committee,
• write a proposal that summarizes what your capstone will be, and
• submit the proposal--including a coversheet signed by both of your committee members--to Ms. Brennen no later than the last day of class of the semester before you plan on beginning your capstone.

2. All students must be aware  that it is their responsibility to make sure that all of the guidelines are followed and that all forms--and the capstone itself--is turned in on time.

3. Capstone projects may take one of three formats:

• the Professional Portfolio,
• the MAPW Thesis, and
• the Practicum.

NOTE: See Capstone Guidelines for a description of each of the formats.

4. All three formats require an introductory essay, which will:

• include self-assessment and reflection that frames, informs, and contextualizes the capstone and
• relate the materials in the capstone to the writer's development while attending the program, joining together academic understanding, writing workshop experience, workplace experience, and/or future goals.