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What is the Difference Between Capstone and Thesis

The main difference between capstone and thesis is that capstone involves using existing knowledge to solve a problem in a particular field of study, whereas thesis is more scholarly in nature and contribute new knowledge to a particular field of study

Both capstone and thesis serve as the final projects of an academic course. They require a long-term commitment as students will have to spend a lot of time on their research. When done successfully, they can serve as the basis of a student’s professional portfolio.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is a Capstone       – Definition, Features 2.  What is a Thesis     – Definition, Features 3.  Difference Between Capstone and Thesis      – Comparison of Key Differences

What is a Capstone

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program. Moreover, a capstone project may take many forms. In such projects, students select a topic or social problem that interests them, conduct research on that subject, record the results or findings, create a final product, showcasing their conclusions, as well as their learning acquisition. The final product can take many forms, such as papers, multimedia presentations, and short films. Students may also have to do an oral presentation on the project in front of a panel of teachers and experts who will evaluate the quality of the project.

Capstone projects encourage students to think critically and face challenges. They can also develop skills such as research skills, media literacy, teamwork, planning, goal setting, oral communication, public speaking, and self-sufficiency. These skills will help students in their careers as well as adult life. Furthermore, these projects tend to be interdisciplinary, i.e., students have to use various skills and research issues across many different domains of knowledge.

What is a Thesis

A thesis or dissertation is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree. Submitting a thesis is generally required for completing undergraduate honours, masters , and doctoral degrees . The theses are very long and may contain hundreds of pages. They are also scholarly in nature and allows students to contribute valuable research in their field of study.

Moreover, a major part of a thesis work involves research and writing. It generally has advanced research design and analysis. When writing a thesis, the students will have to prove or disapprove a hypothesis , and their conclusions have to be backed by extensive research and an insightful, learned description of how they got to that conclusion. In some degree programs, students also have to perform an oral defence of the thesis paper in front of a panel of experts.

Parts of a Thesis

These are the components you will usually find in a thesis paper.

• Title Page                       
• Abstract           
• Table of Contents           
• List of Figures
• List of Tables           
• Introduction           
• Methods           
• Discussion             
• Conclusions
• Recommendations           
• Acknowledgements
• References             

Difference Between Capstone and Thesis

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program, whereas a thesis is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree.

A thesis is more scholarly in nature than a capstone project.

Level of Education

Capstone projects can be done by high school students, college students, etc., whereas theses are required in higher levels of academia, usually in undergraduate honours degrees, masters, or doctorate levels.

Final Product

In a capstone project, the final product can take many forms, for example, paper, multimedia presentation, short film, etc. However, in a thesis, the final product is always a paper.

A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program, whereas a thesis is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree. Moreover, a thesis is more scholarly in nature than a capstone project. Therefore, this is is the main difference between capstone and thesis.

1. Stute, Martin. “ How to Write Your Thesis .” How to Write a Thesis. 2. “ Capstone Project Definition .” The Glossary of Education Reform, 23 Mar. 2016.

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Demonstrate Your Degree with Capstones and Culminating Projects

Many of the graduate programs at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) culminate in a capstone consulting project, case study, or thesis. These comprehensive projects offer students a unique opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the practical skills and analytical knowledge acquired through their studies at SPS.

Working independently or as part of a team, students ideate, research, and develop projects that address real-world challenges currently confronting clients and industries in their respective fields. They then present their methods, findings, and recommendations before faculty, students, and industry leaders, including representatives from government and nonprofits.

The Capstone’s Purpose

Capstones demonstrate that SPS students have moved from theory to practice, synthesizing the skills and insights they gained from their coursework and applying them to critical problems facing their respective industries in a professional context.

“Students’ capstone theses in the M.S. in Bioethics program provide an important opportunity for them to choose a topic that is of most interest or will be most helpful for them in the next stage of their career, and to expand their understanding of the complexities of the issues involved,” says program director Bob Klitzman.

Culminating projects often provide opportunities for students to access top-level industry executives and insiders, and students graduate from their program confident that they have acquired the necessary expertise to contribute to their organizations and grow their careers.

“Our school is really focused on meeting market demand,” says Dr. Tiffany Hughes, associate dean of graduate programs at SPS. “We prepare our students for the market by enabling them to apply their academic knowledge to solve real-world industry challenges.”

We prepare our students for the market by enabling them to apply their academic knowledge to solve real-world industry challenges. —Dr. Tiffany Hughes, associate dean of graduate programs at SPS

Types of Capstone Projects

SPS capstone projects come in a variety of formats, including fieldwork, research papers, and oral presentations. However, they all share a common goal: to challenge students to think critically, develop informed solutions to complex problems, and demonstrate mastery in their chosen profession.

This often includes consulting with and being mentored by top executives and industry professionals. For example, the Sports Management Supervised Research Projects have had NFL staff as clients; Sustainability Management students have consulted with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and World Wildlife Fund; and Technology Management students have worked with mentors from Goldman Sachs, HBO, Prudential, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Scott Miller, director of strategic communications for Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT), and his capstone team worked with  Ebony magazine as he was earning his executive M.S. in Strategic Communication. “I read it as a kid, so it was exciting being able to apply my career experience to helping a publication that meant a lot to me as a Black person,” Miller shared.

Some SPS program capstones take the form of individual projects that result in research papers. For example, the capstone project for the M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (NECR) program is a thesis that consists of students conducting a conflict analysis and literature review, designing interventions to meet the stakeholder needs from the conflict analysis, and making recommendations to sustain the changes, including expanding the network of actors. As part of their capstone, NECR students research, write, and present a 60-to-80-page thesis paper detailing proposed interventions to a conflict of their choice, which has ranged from corporate mergers to wars in Yemen and Syria, land-rights issues to police and community relations.

In recent years, Bioethics students have chosen topics in a wide range of areas for their culminating thesis, from birth and reproduction to death and dying, including organ transplantation, neurology, mental health and substance abuse, racism and marginalized groups, health insurance, climate change, and uses of AI in health care.

The Construction Administration capstone project course introduces the methods and tools necessary to analyze a set of plans and specifications for an active New York City building project and includes a comprehensive review and analysis of documentation requirements for the selected project. Working in teams, Strategic Communication students develop and propose a fully developed communication solution for a real-world business problem or opportunity, presented by a capstone sponsor organization. 

Whether a real-time or simulated capstone project, intensive research paper, or thesis, the culminating project is guided every step of the way by experienced SPS faculty who encourage students to incorporate essential topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility into their projects and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they acquired through their SPS studies.

The Value of the Capstone

The utility of capstones extends beyond a student’s academic tenure at Columbia. Often, students apply elements of their capstone projects in future work and research, and find value in their culminating projects in job interviews, conferences, writing samples, and published works.

“Whether students are interviewing for new positions, looking to be promoted in their current workplace, or looking to pivot,” says Dr. Hughes, “they’ll be able to leverage this project to showcase their experiences and knowledge, helping them to achieve their career goals.

“I’ve seen many students secure jobs with the companies they’re collaborating with on their capstone projects,” adds Dr. Hughes. “So I see this capstone initiative as such a tangible example of our school’s direct connection to industry. We’re working each day with our industry partners to address their challenges. And by doing so, we’re preparing our students to lead and solve real-world problems in their fields.”

About the School of Professional Studies

The Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) was founded in 1995 with a mission to provide innovative—and flexible—programs that help students reach their educational and professional goals. The School offers  18 accredited master’s degrees ,  15 certificate and certification programs , and more than 100 areas of study through its  Postbaccalaureate Studies and  Visiting Students programs—all available on a part-time basis.  Explore Columbia SPS’s part-time offerings , including master’s degrees, certificates, and other non-degree programs. To view recent SPS student work, visit the SPS Capstone and Culminating Projects page .

Continue the SPS Student Experience

Read related stories on school-wide resources that make SPS the place to study.

Peacebuilding, Representation, and Interconnectedness in Equitable Resource Management A Negotiation and Conflict Resolution student’s capstone project on the Navajo Nation’s fight for water in Arizona. Faculty Exploring Generative AI’s Impact on Strategic Communication Through the Practicum Strategic Communication lecturer Matthew Sawyer on what his students learned about AI in their Practicum course and corresponding internships. Footer Social Links

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Understanding the Differences Between Dissertation, Thesis, and Capstone Projects

If you’re pursuing an advanced degree, you may be required to complete a dissertation, thesis, or capstone project as part of your program. While these projects share some similarities, there are also important differences to understand.

A dissertation is typically required for a doctoral degree, while a thesis is required for a master’s degree. Both involve extensive research, data collection and analysis, and a written report that contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of study. A capstone project, on the other hand, is typically a culminating project required for a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It may involve original research, but can also take the form of a creative project or a community service project.

• Dissertation: A dissertation is a research project required to complete a doctoral degree program. It is a comprehensive study that contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the field of study. A dissertation typically involves original research, data collection and analysis, and a written report that is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of study.
• Thesis: A thesis is a research project required to complete a master’s degree program. It is usually a shorter and less complex study compared to a dissertation. A thesis may involve original research, but it can also be a literature review, a case study, or a critical analysis of existing research in the field of study.
• Capstone: A capstone is a culminating project required to complete a degree program. It is typically undertaken in the final year of study and integrates the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. A capstone can take various forms, such as a research project, a creative work, or a community service project. It is designed to demonstrate the student’s ability to apply what they have learned to real-world problems.

To successfully complete a dissertation, thesis, or capstone project, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the project’s purpose and requirements. For example, a dissertation will require a more extensive literature review, data collection, and data analysis than a thesis or capstone project. A thesis may require more original research than a capstone project, but less than a dissertation.

In addition, it’s important to work closely with your advisor or instructor throughout the project to ensure that you are meeting the requirements and expectations. You may also want to consider seeking out additional resources, such as writing support or statistical analysis services, to help you complete the project successfully.

By understanding the differences between dissertation, thesis, and capstone projects, and approaching each project with a clear plan and support, you can successfully complete your degree program and contribute to the body of knowledge in your field. In summary, a dissertation is a research project required to complete a doctoral degree program, a thesis is a research project required to complete a master’s degree program, and a capstone is a culminating project required to complete a degree program.