Capstone

Capstone commonly refers to two related concepts in masonry and education. In architecture and construction, a capstone is the final, topmost stone placed on a wall, arch, or piers. It provides a finishing element and can help stabilize the structure. Capstones may be plain or carved with inscriptions and dates, and they sometimes serve a symbolic or decorative function as the crowning piece of a monument or building. The term can also be applied more broadly to any finishing stone that caps a construction.

In education, a capstone project is a culminating assignment that synthesizes learning across a program. Capstones are typically undertaken in the final year of an undergraduate or graduate degree and may involve research, design, creative work, or service projects. They are usually completed under faculty supervision and culminate in a substantial deliverable such as a written report, portfolio, performance, or presentation, sometimes with an external client or judge. The purpose is to demonstrate mastery of core concepts, research or problem-solving abilities, and readiness for professional practice or further study. Many programs require proposals, milestones, and a public defense or exhibition.

Capstone experiences vary by discipline and institution. Some programs call the project a “senior capstone,” “integrative project,” or “research practicum.” The term emphasizes the project’s role as the apex of a learning sequence, intended to integrate theory and practice.