Students will complete either complete a capstone portfolio or thesis during their last semester within the program.
The capstone portfolio is a compilation of academic work and other forms of educational evidence assembled for the purpose of (1) evaluating coursework quality, learning progress, and academic achievement; and (2) determining whether students have met learning standards or other academic requirements for courses and the program. Students gain permission to enroll in the HE 797 Portfolio course their last semester and the instructor of the course guides and evaluates the portfolio. HE 797 is an online course with dates and criteria of assignments. Capstone portfolios must be submitted online.
Students who select the thesis option will select a chair from an HE approved list of graduate faculty. Students must select the chair before completing the core credits. The chair will direct the thesis. In consultation with the committee chair, students select two committee members who are also graduate faculty. Whether the student passes or fails the thesis is agreed upon by the thesis committee before the oral defense. Students cannot enter an oral defense until committee members agree to pass the thesis.