This capstone experience is the culminating project for students in the Master of Education program, specializing in areas such as Learning and Instruction, Learning Experience Design and Technology, Special Education, and Higher Education Administration. Students will apply their advanced knowledge, research skills, and pedagogical training to address real-world educational challenges in collaboration with partner organizations.

The goal of this capstone is to integrate theory and practice through an applied project that reflects the following areas of graduate-level learning:

• Specialized Knowledge:
• Students will demonstrate a deep understanding of major educational theories, research methods, and professional practices within their specialization. They will apply this knowledge to solve relevant problems and generate evidence-informed solutions, drawing from allied disciplines when appropriate.
• Broad and Integrative Knowledge:
• Projects will involve synthesizing concepts and methods across sub-fields of education—such as curriculum design, technology integration, inclusive education, or policy analysis—to explore the benefits and limitations of multi-perspective approaches.
• Applied and Collaborative Learning:
• Students will design and implement a project outside the classroom setting that addresses a practical challenge in education. This includes engaging with real stakeholders, applying best practices, and reflecting on professional standards and debates relevant to their area of focus.
• Civic, Global, and Intercultural Learning:
• Capstone work will invite students to engage critically with issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access. They will assess policy or practice through both scholarly research and the lived experiences or narratives of relevant communities and stakeholders.
• Experiential Learning:
• Each student will bring together tools, frameworks, and strategies learned throughout the program and apply them to real-world educational contexts. The experience fosters deeper insight into the role of educators as change agents within institutions and communities.

1. This experience empowers students to lead, evaluate, design, and innovate within a variety of educational settings—whether K–12, higher education, nonprofit, or community-based environments.

🔹 Core Deliverables:

• Professional Slide Deck Presentation (10–15 minutes):
• Summarizing the project process, key findings, insights, and practical recommendations. May be presented live or submitted as a recorded presentation.
• Comprehensive Final Report:
• A detailed written document including research objectives, methodology, analysis, conclusions, and actionable recommendations tailored to the organization’s context.

🔹 Possible Additional Deliverables (depending on the project focus):

• Curriculum or Lesson Plan Suite:
• A series of lesson plans, unit outlines, or full curriculum designed for a specific learner group, aligned to learning outcomes and educational standards.
• Educator or Facilitator Guide:
• A resource to support teachers, trainers, or facilitators in implementing new content, technologies, or practices. May include step-by-step instructions, activities, and assessment tools.
• Learning Technology Integration Plan:
• A roadmap for implementing new learning tools or platforms, including user experience considerations, training recommendations, and potential barriers.
• Instructional Design Blueprint or Learning Module:
• A fully developed online or blended learning module, with multimedia content, interactive elements, and assessments designed using instructional design principles.
• Policy Brief or Position Paper:
• A short, research-informed document analyzing a specific policy issue in education, offering actionable policy recommendations with attention to equity, inclusion, and systemic impacts.
• Program Evaluation Report:
• A logic model, data collection tool(s), analysis, and evaluation findings related to an existing educational program or initiative.
• DEI Audit and Recommendations:
• A review of educational practices or materials through an equity lens, including findings and strategies to enhance inclusion and cultural responsiveness.
• Student or Parent-Facing Resource:
• Development of guides, handbooks, or toolkits to support learners, families, or other stakeholders in navigating an educational system or process.
• Strategic Plan or Change Implementation Plan:
• A roadmap for implementing organizational or programmatic change, with attention to stakeholder engagement, resourcing, and evaluation.