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