A capstone course, also known as a synthesis and capstone project, senior synthesis, among other terms, is a project that serves as the culminating and usually integrative praxis experience of an educational program mostly found in American-style pedagogy. Although somewhat different from an industry-oriented capstone project, case study, case method, or praxis commonly used in American-style higher education; in the Commonwealth of Nations, Bologna Process, and in other parts of the world influenced by their education systems, a senior thesis (thesis) usually takes its place as a culmination of an educational program but is much more theoretical and academia-oriented rather than the praxis and industry-oriented synthesis and capstone project.^[1]

It is a hands-on project, essay, research paper, or other document submitted in support of a candidature for a degree or professional qualification, written in a professional writing format, presenting from the perspective of a professional in the field as opposed to the perspective of an academic researcher or student who typically use an academic writing format.^[1]

Some universities and colleges award a Capstone Award^[2][3] or Capstone Prize^[4] based on merit in the capstone course.

The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the United States since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.^[5] It has gradually been gaining currency in other countries, particularly where attention has focused on student outcomes and employability in undergraduate studies.^[6] National grant projects in Australia^[7][8][9] and the U.K. have further raised the profile of the capstone experience.^[10]

• Major (academic)
• Seminar
• Thesis