All students are obliged to take a three hour workshop on guidelines for research papers and for the Capstone Graduation Project. The project is a rite of passage into a community of scholars or artists. It may take a number of forms:

1. Original research from primary sources
2. A synthesis of multiple disciplinary approaches to a specific problem or an area of human experience
3. Field-based study

The mentor is the most important guide in the process of completing a capstone graduation project. The mentor ascertains that the student has the appropriate skill for the written or creative project. The mentor chooses the second reviewer, approves the précis and certifies that the graduation project is complete and acceptable. The mentor evaluates the validity of the methodology and the research criteria and process. The director gives final approval and endorsement of the capstone graduate project. A public presentation of the work and research follows.