Program Overview

MSIS Capstone

About the Capstone Experience

In the final semester of their academic studies, all MSIS students must complete a "capping" experience, which enables them to integrate their professional education and the intellectual and institutional vocations toward which they are striving. This is to be a culminating experience that synthesizes a variety of skills, knowledge, and expertise while demonstrating that the student can lead an independent project. When considering a Capstone experience, students are strongly encouraged to review the Capstone student manual and consult with their individual academic advisor as well as the iSchool's Career Development Director.

Capstone Handbook

This manual contains information on requirements, timing, forms, and the like for master’s degree students as they prepare for and complete their required Capstone experience in any of four options: professional experience project (PEP), master’s report, master’s thesis, or school library practicum.

Capstone Experience Options

• Professional Experience Project (PEP) The PEP is intended to allow students to apply the knowledge they gleaned from their coursework to a real-world problem in a real-world setting. In a single semester, students will complete a fieldwork-based project under the primary guidance of a field supervisor from the organization sponsoring their project.
• Master's Report The master's report is a substantive, publishable-quality paper synthesizing a domain or area of investigation that demonstrates familiarity with major concepts and issues in a theoretical and rigorous manner. Working with the guidance of a faculty advisor and a second faculty reader, students will write a publishable-quality paper on a topic of their choice in a single semester.
• Master's Thesis A master's thesis is a research project resulting in a substantive paper that involves original collection or treatment of data and/or results. Working with the guidance of a faculty advisor and a second faculty reader, students will write a publishable-quality paper on a topic of their choice across two semesters.
• School Library Practicum A school library practicum serves as the fourth capstone option for the master’s degree. This practicum is required for students seeking Standard School Librarian Certification in the State of Texas and involves assignment to two different school libraries with a combination of elementary, middle, and high schools, under supervision of qualified personnel for at least 160 hours.

Timeline

The process of planning and getting approval for the Capstone takes considerable time, effort, planning, coordination, and securing of signatures. The first deadline is the last class day of the semester immediately preceding the student's Capstone semester, by which the initial completed proposal forms must be submitted to the Capstone faculty for approval. The second date is the first class day of the Capstone semester, and the final date for final/revised proposal approval.

Capstone Forms

• Professional Experience Project (PEP)
  • Professional Experience Project Proposal Form
  • Professional Experience Project Letter of Agreement Form
  • Professional Experience Project Field Supervisor Evaluation Form
• Master's Report
  • Master's Report Proposal Form
• Master's Thesis
  • Master's Thesis Proposal Form
• School Library Practicum
  • Program Handbook (Contains Form Examples)

Capstone Project Archive

This archive lists Capstone projects from the last three years.