{"id":64,"date":"2014-04-29T17:45:30","date_gmt":"2014-04-29T17:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/?page_id=64"},"modified":"2026-06-23T14:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:16:19","slug":"capstone-experience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Capstone Experiences at SMCM"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-64\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-64-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-64-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-0-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"widget_text smcm-intro-section panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-64-0-0-0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h2>Your Passion. Your Project. Your Future.<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>All St. Mary\u2019s students complete a capstone experience, and all capstones give students the opportunity to synthesize, but also extend, their past learning. All capstones culminate in a public presentation. Capstone experiences are at least 4 credits, and depending on the major, fulfilled through seminar-style course, a group project, or a St. Mary\u2019s Project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-64-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-64\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-scaled.jpg\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377737_48c0bee216_o-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" alt=\"Two men stand in front of a scientific research poster; the younger man is pointing at the poster and explaining its content to the older man.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-64-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-64-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-gold-buttons panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons-default-d75171398898-64\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><nav class=\"smcm-gold-buttons\"><ul><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#plan\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file\"><\/i>Requirements and Planning<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#project\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-check\"><\/i>Submission and Evaluation<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/faculty\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-people-group\"><\/i>Faculty<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/ie\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plane-departure\"><\/i>Study Abroad<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/pbk\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-medal\"><\/i>Phi Beta Kappa<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/smp\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-calendar\"><\/i>SMP Schedule<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/mat\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-chalkboard-user\"><\/i>Masters of Art In Teaching<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/preprofessional\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-user-graduate\"><\/i>Pre-Professional Studies<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-64-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-64-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-64\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-scaled.jpg\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-scaled.jpg 1707w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55250377792_78f80a8a27_o-1365x2048.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px\" alt=\"A person stands in front of a scientific poster presentation titled &quot;Synaptic Activity Is Necessary for Survival of Inferior Olive Neurons In Mice&quot; at an indoor event.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-64-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">St Mary's <strong>Projects<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-2-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>St. Mary\u2019s Projects\u2013 or SMPs\u2013 are independent, 8-credit projects, mentored by a faculty member and like any capstone, presented in a public forum. Many St. Mary\u2019s students find the SMP to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their college career. Students who take on an SMP define the focus and scope of their projects, often conducting research on topics and questions that have emerged from their past coursework. SMPs may be a traditional research project or the culmination of creative work at the College: students have used their SMPs to draft novels, create art installations, and prepare for recitals.<\/p>\n<p>While SMPs often occur within the student\u2019s major, regardless of where they are housed, many projects are interdisciplinary in nature. In fact, a number of students complete SMPs in an established cross-disciplinary minor program or in Educational Studies.<\/p>\n<p>For more information on capstones and the SMP, please see general information in our more recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/catalog\/core-curriculum\/\">course catalog<\/a>. You can also reach out to faculty in the areas of study you are interested to get more information on the SMP experience in their program.<\/p>\n<p>SMP Information for Current Students<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/requirements-planning-registration\/\">Requirements and Planning &amp; Registration<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/design-supervision-funding\/\">Design, Supervision, &amp; Funding<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/project-submission-evaluation\/\">Project Submission &amp; Evaluation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/smp\/\">SMP Schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-64-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"plan\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-64-3\" ><div id=\"pgc-64-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Requirements<\/strong> and Planning Registration <\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Planning for a St. Mary\u2019s Project begins early. Students should review their major requirements, work with faculty advisers and mentors, and follow department-specific guidelines and deadlines. The St. Mary\u2019s Project requires eight credits completed at St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland and is typically completed over the fall and spring semesters of a student\u2019s senior year. Find project approval, registration steps, important forms, and deadlines to help you stay on track.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-3-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/requirements-planning-registration\/\">Requirements and Planning Registration<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-64-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-64\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o.jpg\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/54827291281_0c82b44f7d_o-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"A woman presents research on bladder cancer cell lines shown on a large poster to three attentive people in a brightly lit room.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-64-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"project\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-64-4\" ><div id=\"pgc-64-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-64\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-scaled.jpg\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/06\/55251513414_24568572fd_o-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" alt=\"Three people stand in front of a scientific research poster, discussing the displayed graphs and information in an indoor setting.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-64-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-64-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Project Submission &amp; <strong>Evaluation<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-4-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"13\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Learn what you need to submit your completed St. Mary\u2019s Project and how it will be evaluated. Find final submission deadlines, required files and materials, release form information, and details about grading and faculty feedback.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-64-4-1-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/capstone-experience\/project-submission-evaluation\/\">Project Submission and Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All St. Mary\u2019s students complete a capstone experience, and all capstones give students the opportunity to synthesize, but also extend, their past learning. All capstones culminate in a public presentation. Capstone experiences are at least 4 credits, and depending on the major, fulfilled through seminar-style course, a group project, or a St. Mary\u2019s Project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":245,"featured_media":853,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-64","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","entry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/64","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/245"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/64\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2253,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/64\/revisions\/2253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}