How

Students are required to engage in a three-stage process: Pre-Requisite Coursework, Capstone Design Process, and Academic Capstone Experience.

1. Pre-Requisite Coursework: These must be completed or in progress before beginning your Capstone Design process.

HOD 1250: Applied Human Development

HOD 1300: Small Group Behavior

HOD 2100: Understanding Organizations

HOD 2500: Systematic Inquiry

HOD 2700: Public Policy

2. Capstone Design Process – HOD 4949: Prior to the HOD Capstone experience, students partner with the HOD Capstone team and campus resources to explore, develop, and implement a successful capstone design process. The Capstone Design process requires students to engage in content, accomplish learning objectives, and meet deadlines. Students who successfully meet the learning objectives and demonstrate readiness will be confirmed for the HOD capstone semester.

Once students successfully complete their pre-requisite coursework, submit a final Capstone Design Plan, and confirm a capstone site, they meet the prerequisites for enrolling in the HOD Capstone coursework.  

3. Academic Capstone Experience: During their capstone, students will be enrolled in four courses of academic coursework that accompany the capstone experience.  

HOD 4950: Capstone Partnership (6 credits in fall/spring P/F, 3 credits in summer P/F). Students design learning objectives and apply competencies they have developed in earlier coursework to an organizational setting. 

HOD 4951: Critical Reflexivity and Systems Thinking (3 credits/graded). Students develop skills in critical reflection using a case study model to process and analyze workplace behavior, structures, dynamics, and culture using theories from earlier coursework.

HOD 4952: Mapping Future Personal and Professional Development (3 credits/graded). Students use research tools and personal development strategies to identify future goals and map next steps in collaboration with learning communities.

HOD 4953: Analysis and Contribution (3 credits/graded). Students use methods from human centered design to analyze key factors impacting organization and develop a project-centered contribution to capstone site.