Capstone Project
The Capstone Project serves as the culminating experience of the Master of Science in Nutrition program, allowing students to showcase their academic and professional competencies. Through a 6-credit hour project, students demonstrate their skills in research, academic writing, and the application of nutrition principles in public health. The final evaluation includes a written literature review, an oral presentation, and a formal defense.
Completing the Capstone Project is a significant milestone in the MS/DI program, designed to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you've developed throughout your graduate studies. This comprehensive process challenges you to explore a focused topic in depth, engage critically with current research, and contribute meaningfully to the field of nutrition and dietetics. The steps below outline the key phases of the project, from selecting a topic to presenting and defending your final work.
For your Capstone Project:
- Select a focused and relevant capstone project topic.
- Conduct a review of the research literature on the case study patient’s condition capstone topic.
- Evaluate the research studies identified in the literature review using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center/Library (EAC/EAL) process.
- Write an 8-10-page literature review.
- Complete a capstone project, which may be a research study, seminar, workshop, educational course or research grant proposal.
- Compose a written description of the project that includes methods, results and discussion sections. This project description is added to the literature review.
- Prepare a presentation of the literature review and project description.
- Present and successfully defend the capstone project.
MS Nutrition Capstone Handbook
- Follow this guidance in planning and implementing your project/thesis
- Read through it carefully and discus any concerns/questions with your faculty advisor
- MS Capstone Handbook 2024
