Capstone (BS)

The capstone in psychology (as a registered course) is designed to be the culmination of the experience of your work in the psychology major.

Through your capstone course, you will:

  • Synthesize the knowledge you have gained about the discipline over your time as a psychology major
  • Network with psychology alumni for advice and professional connections and hear them speak about their varied professional career paths
  • Write a 15–20 page APA-style paper on a topic in psychology

To learn more about the course expectations, please review the Capstone Syllabus. 

Capstone closed?

​Psychology advising manages an internal waitlist for students who are unable to secure a seat in the course, or who cannot secure a seat in their preferred section. Email [email protected] immediately to be placed on a waitlist.

How to Register

  1. Check your APAS to ensure you have completed the prerequisites for capstone*: 
  2. Register for PSY 3901W as soon as your registration queue opens. You do not need your PSY 4/5993 course arranged prior to registration. 
  3. Arrange to receive PSY 4993, 5993, or CPSY 4994 credit for working in the lab of a faculty member.

*Note: Psychology Undergraduate Advising closely monitors capstone enrollment to ensure that all students have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites. You may be dropped from the course if the prerequisites are not met. If you have questions about preparing for your capstone course, email [email protected].

Capstone in Psychology - Research Laboratory: PSY 3901W and Research Experience (PSY 4993, 5993, or CPSY 4994)

The Psychology BS capstone includes two components:

  • Capstone in Psychology: Research Laboratory (PSY 3901W, 3 credits)
  • Assisting in the lab of a faculty member (PSY 4/5993, 3 credits)
    • This must be fulfilled during the semester prior to or concurrently with PSY 3901W

The research lab project allows you to take full advantage of the abundance of psychological research happening right here in the Department of Psychology. In this option, you will draw from your experience in a faculty research lab (PSY 4993, 5993, or CPSY 4994) to help develop the topic of your capstone paper for the PSY 3901W class. This option requires you to secure a laboratory research experience in a faculty member's lab for PSY 4/5993 or CPSY 4994 credits (3 credits minimum) either the semester prior to or concurrently with your PSY 3901W enrollment. Even if you are in the process of finding a research lab experience, register for PSY 3901W right when your registration opens as this course fills quickly.

Before class begins: Arrange to assist in the lab of a faculty member through PSY 4/5993.

The Capstone video describes the different capstone courses, but Psychology BS students must take PSY 3901W and PSY 4/5993 to fulfill the requirement.