Capstone Options

Students must complete a "capstone" course before graduation, Reach out to your advisor if you'd like to discuss these options.

There are two primary flavors of capstone courses: PSY4950 and PSY4960. Students need one course (3 cr) to meet this requirement. There is one other option, HONR4900 (for honors students completing a capstone) will also meet the department requirement for a capstone.

PSY4960 (Capstone Seminar): 

PSY4960 is the capstone seminar. These seminars are generally limited to 20 students and focus on deeper learning of a more advanced topic; topics can change every term. There are sections offered online, in person, and virtually (via zoom). Multiple sections of PSY4960 are offered in the fall and the spring. 

Options: Fall 2025

There are four options for PSY4960 for the fall 2024 term.

  • PSY4960-002: The Psychological Science of Human Connection is an engaging, research-based seminar taught by Dr. Jennifer Grewe. The course examines the science behind how and why people connect, exploring topics such as attraction, attachment, sexual behavior, emotional regulation, prosocial behavior, digital communication, and relationship dynamics across cultures using a hands-on approach. This approach equips students with valuable skills for careers in counseling, mental health, education, healthcare, or any field that involves understanding human behavior and relationships. By the end of the semester, students will have gained practical experience in research, communication, and interpersonal insight, preparing them for graduate study or applied professional roles
  • PSY4960-MB1: Positive Psychology will be a seminar offered by Dr. Christopher Johnson. Historically, much of psychology has focused on treating pathology and understanding maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. In contrast, positive psychology uses scientific methods to assess, understand, and build human strengths and virtues. Positive psychology examines how and why people, groups, and institutions flourish, cultivate fulfilling lives, foster authentic happiness, and are able to live "The Good Life." This seminar places special emphasis on the application of positive psychology research to promote optimal health and well-being; thus, students explore the topic in depth and engage in opportunities to cultivate firsthand experience applying course material.
  • PSY4960-iO1: Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will be offered by Dr. Michael Levin. ACT is a specific type of therapy that focuses on acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based skills. This online seminar will introduce students to the science, theory, and skills of ACT, including experientially through self-application exercises.
  • PSY4960-iO2: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Heath Earl. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.
Options: Spring 2026 


There are four options for PSY4960 for the Spring 2026 term.

  • PSY4960-002: Cognitive Neuroscience will be a seminar offered by Dr. Christopher Warren. This seminar will give an overview of the sub-discipline of neuroscience that focuses on linking healthy human behavior to the underlying neural activity via brain imaging. In addition to covering standard cognitive neuroscience topics such as attention, memory, and social cognition, we will have classes devoted to cognitive neuroscience methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and electroencephalograph (EEG) techniques.
  • PSY4960-003: The Psychological Science of Human Connection is an engaging, research-based seminar taught by Dr. Jennifer Grewe. The course examines the science behind how and why people connect, exploring topics such as attraction, attachment, sexual behavior, emotional regulation, prosocial behavior, digital communication, and relationship dynamics across cultures using a hands-on approach. This approach equips students with valuable skills for careers in counseling, mental health, education, healthcare, or any field that involves understanding human behavior and relationships. By the end of the semester, students will have gained practical experience in research, communication, and interpersonal insight, preparing them for graduate study or applied professional roles.
  • PSY4960-iO1: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Heath Earl. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students will be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.

PSY4950 (Undergraduate Apprenticeship)

PSY4950 (Undergraduate Apprenticeship) is offered online spring 2026. In PSY4950, students:

  1. Volunteer for 110 supervised hours
  2. Write weekly reflections and submit hours
  3. Produce a Thematic Term Paper (literature review) on a topic related to volunteer experiences: 20 pages, 20 references, across four phases (Idea, sources, draft; final).
  4. Record a five-minute video, a final reflection, that ties together volunteer experiences and term paper.