University requirement for graduate degrees

Special Project Requirement

for the MLS degree

 All students enrolled in the MLS degree program are required to complete a Capstone Experience of a special project, a thesis, or a comprehensive exam as one of the University requirements for graduate degrees.

There are four stages in the Special Project process: 1) writing the Proposal, 2) conducting the research and analyzing the data, 3) designing the Product based on the findings of the research and data analysis, and 4) writing the Report of the work accomplished. [Documentation of completion of the Special Project includes a passable Proposal, Product, and Report.]  

The Product of the Special Project research develop as:

• a public service special project involving field work, intervention planning and development, and/or policy development that are informed by the student's original research;
• an educational special project consisting of development of curriculum, learner-based exercises, or computer software or other tools of a specifically educational purpose that are informed by the student's original research;
• a multimedia special project involving the creation of an installation or digital exhibit on a specific topic within the discipline, or a film or video that documents an experience, social phenomenon, or inquiry that is relevant to the field that are informed by the student's original research; or
• an entrepreneurial special project involving idea generation, feasibility study, and development and implementation that are informed by the student's original research.

Generally it will take two semesters to complete the Special Project: the first semester the Proposal is completed; the second semester the research, Product or deliverable, and final Report are completed.

Each student will need a Special Project Committee consisting at least of the Special Project Advisor and a Second Reader.

*Note: the faculty member supervising the Special Project must be a member of Graduate Faculty

A certificate of completion of the Special Project requirement will be issued after the student successfully carries out the Proposal and files with the department and the Graduate School an acceptable ("Passed") Product and Special Project Report. 

     Special Project Information (pdf) 

     Special Project Format Guide (pdf)

 [Both documents from Graduate School website www.southernct.edu/grad/research/]