Types of Doctoral Capstone projects vary. Learners begin the Doctoral Capstone project with the development of a plan. Learners select and defend a topic, question, design, and methodology. Selection of an appropriate topic, question, design, and method must be defensible on an academic, objective level rather than personal, subjective level. All doctoral capstone projects have a methodology and are implemented and evaluated. Some examples of acceptable projects are listed below:
- Translate research into practice.
- A quality improvement project.
- Implement and evaluate evidence-based practice guidelines.
- Analyze policy: Develop, implement, evaluate, or revise policy.
- Implement and evaluate innovative uses of technology to enhance/evaluate programs or policy.
- Design and evaluate programs directly related to the specialization area.
- Provide leadership of interprofessional and or interdisciplinary collaborative projects to implement policy, evaluate models, transitions, etc.
- Collaborate with lay or professional coalitions to develop, implement, or evaluate program
The following criteria will be used to establish whether a proposed capstone project meets the criteria and expectation for the degree:
1. Contributes to society by improving or changing practice, policy, or research utilization.
2. Documents the need for change by utilizing evidence-based needs assessment.
3. Uses Action Research or Program Evaluation