Guided Capstone

Mentored by faculty, turn your learning into a project that shows what you can do.

Every Student’s Launchpad to What’s Next

This is where your college experience shifts from learning about your field to stepping into it.

At Susquehanna, your education builds toward a defining moment when everything comes together. Your capstone is that moment — a culminating experience that challenges you to apply your knowledge, think independently and produce work that reflects your goals.

Career Ready At Susquehanna University

Your Capstone Builds Your Credibility

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Show What You Know

The capstone is your chance to turn knowledge into action. Tackle a real-world challenge through research, performance, design, business strategy, internship or a creative project that reflects your major and your goals.

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Work Closely With Faculty Mentors

You won’t do it alone. Faculty experts guide and challenge you, helping shape your project into something meaningful and market ready.

Practical Experience To Be Professional Ready

Problem solving. Critical thinking. Creativity. Time management. Presentation skills. Professional communication. These are the skills that set Susquehanna graduates apart — and the capstone sharpens all of them.

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Stand Out to Employers and Grad Schools

Your capstone becomes more than a grade. It’s a writing sample, portfolio piece, public presentation or research project that proves you can deliver on a big, complex challenge. It signals that you have the initiative, discipline and readiness to be successful.

Benefits of a Capstone project

What you Gain

✔ A standout story to tell in interviews
✔ A portfolio-ready project for some disciplines
✔ Proof that you are ready for what’s next

No matter your path, your capstone is an exclamation point at the end of your Susquehanna experience — a chance to push your potential, take ownership of your learning and step boldly into your future.

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For every program

What a Capstone Looks Like at Susquehanna

Every major requires a capstone, and each reflects the spirit of its discipline, often intertwined with elements across other academic areas.

Senior recitals, original theatre or music performances
Graphic design and studio art exhibitions
Long-form research, writing or independent creative work

Team-based case analyses and strategy presentations
Feedback and coaching from alumni who judge presentations, run mock interviews and share real-world challenges

Deep-dive research on a topic shaped by your full undergraduate experience
Analytical writing, presentations, original scholarship

A full academic year of faculty-mentored laboratory or field research
Independent research projects or internships with data-driven inquiry

Honors thesis
Independent studies
Faculty-guided research that bridges majors or combines multiple areas of interest

Get Funding and Guidance for Your Big Ideas

Funding AND Support

Susquehanna invests in your ideas. Dedicated funds and scholarships go beyond traditional financial aid.

Funding for Real-World Learning: Multiple campus resources can help offset costs associated with materials, travel, research or project development.
The Build Collaborative: Offers grants and guidance to help you design and execute innovative projects — from business ideas to creative ventures to community-based initiatives. You can develop an idea with a team of students.

Funding for Real-world Learning

The build Collaborative

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Showcase Your Work

Senior Scholars

Celebrate your senior achievement with a larger audience, Senior Scholars Day is your stage:

Creative performances in music and theatre
Senior art and design exhibitions
Oral research presentations
Poster sessions with feedback from faculty and peers
Showcases of student-run publications

It’s an energizing, community-wide celebration — and a powerful way to build your professional presence.

Learn More

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“The digital media analytics project had the biggest impact on my time at Susquehanna. We built personal and professional portfolios, and I credit mine with helping me land an internship at Intel. It highlighted both my personality and my classwork to potential employers.”

— Katrina Hook ’26

Advertising & Public Relations

“Hands-on learning at Susquehanna is such a big part of academic life specifically as a neuroscience major, and research has been such a big part of my experience here. I got involved in research as a first-year student and it has just given me such a valuable, hands-on learning experience I would not find anywhere else and it’s something that’s prepared me so much for my career in the future.”

— Beth Grove ’25

Neuroscience

“At a small school like Susquehanna, I’ve had hands-on access to lab instruments both in classes and during independent research with faculty. These experiences have sharpened my techniques and prepared me for a future in chemistry.”

— Chrissy Vo ’25

Chemistry