Capstone Projects

Sustainability Capstone Requirement

Sustainability Certificate Students are required to complete a 3 credit Sustainability Capstone, typically satisfied by taking the Sustainability Certificate Capstone Course (SUST 4500s/6500s).

Sustainability Capstone Guidelines

1. Capstone projects can be completed during fall or spring semester. You do not need to wait until your last semester at UGA to complete your capstone.
2. Capstones are typically team projects (3-5 students on average).
3. Students must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours for one semester for the capstone project.
4. Students must identify or be matched with 1) a campus or community partner and 2) a faculty or staff Subject Matter Expert.
5. For capstone projects involving children, students will not assume a supervisory role over minors (i.e. parents/guardians and/or school staff will always be present during any interaction with minors).
6. Students must write a reflection on the capstone project to be included in the final portfolio.
7. Students must present their capstone project prior to graduation.

Process

1. Identify capstone project
   • There are two possibilities for project identification. You may:
     1. Participate in our Project Selection Survey at the end of the semester preceding your capstone project semester, from which you will be assigned a project identified by a campus or community client as part of an interdisciplinary team, or
     2. Develop your own project, which must be approved by the Director at least two months prior to the start of your capstone semester.
   • It is recommended that all students attend the Capstone Workshop the semester prior to their capstone semester. The workshop will be the starting point for understanding the structure, process, and expectations of the capstone.
2. Register for course credit
   • Students must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours for their capstone course (SUST 4500s/6500s) prior to drop/add deadline.
3. Reflect on capstone learning
   • At the end of the capstone, students will be expected to develop a reflection (essay or video essay) on their project to be included in their certificate portfolio. The reflection should communicate how the capstone experience influenced their sustainability learning and their ability to approach sustainability challenges.
   • Written reflections should be 3-5 pages in length. See the Portfolio page for more details.
4. Present capstone work
   • Prior to graduation, the student must deliver a presentation about their capstone experience.
   • Typically this occurs at the Capstone Final Presentation or Sustainability Showcase event.
     • Students must indicate their presentation venue in their certificate checklist.

Independent Capstone Projects as part of SUST 4500s/6500s

When developing an independent Capstone Project students should:

1. Meet with the course instructor.
2. Identify a campus or community partner
3. Work with that partner to identify a specific problem or need that will engage the student’s academic learning with a hands-on sustainability challenge
4. Student or partner compete the Project Request form
5. Project is added to the Capstone ranking survey to build out the team.

Non-SUST 6500s Capstones for Graduate Students

Reasons for requesting an alternative capstone
There is some flexibility in capstones for graduate students in the Sustainability Certificate. Students interested in an alternative to SUST 6200 should meet with the program director to identify and option that best meets their career goals.

Process for non-SUST 4500s/6500s capstones:

Prior to enrolling:

1. Identify options for an alternative capstone that is at least 3 credits (course, internship, etc.) and determine how you will ensure that this alternative will provide you with an opportunity to apply your academic sustainability learning to a hands on project in your primary field of study. Ideal projects are collaborative (teams) and meet an identified community need. Theoretical projects will be considered on a case by case basis.
2. Present your alternative capstone to the Certificate Director in Office Hours or at a scheduled appointment time for approval prior to registration for the term in which you will complete your capstone.
3. Complete the “request for a substitution form” on the SC Website. Capstone substitutions for fall semester must be submitted by April 15. Capstone substitutions for spring semester must be submitted by November 15.

During the semester:

1. At the beginning of the semester, update the Director with project details and how your work will incorporate all three spheres of sustainability through e-mail or during office hours.
2. Check in through e-mail or office hours mid-way through the semester on project progress and to identify opportunities to enhance the sustainability components of the project.
3. Present capstone project at the Sustainability Capstone Final Presentations at the end of the semester.
4. Write Sustainability Capstone reflection and upload it to your Sustainability Certificate Website with supporting artifacts.

If you are a project partner interested in hosting a capstone team, more information is available here.