A Governors State University capstone project is a sustained work that intellectually supports the degree program but which may not be, in its entirety, a written document or an internship (for example, creative project in the fine arts). It provides evidence of the ability and effort to address a real-life issue based off of evidence-based conceptual or theoretical frameworks through the use of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method, action research, program evaluation/assessment, survey-data/secondary data relative to the graduate's level work in the profession or discipline.
[Source: Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Documentation of Graduate Capstone Experiences 5/1/2014]

Master’s, specialist, and doctoral degree candidates are involved in a capstone experience, a culminating endeavor completed after successfully passing all core courses in the program of study.

The requirements for such projects and the formatting of a project are determined by each academic division/department/college. The capstone experience differs in each program and may have different titles or experiences/documentation depending on the program.