Course Sequencing
First, you register for the noncredit ENVR 598 Sustainability Independent Research Precapstone Tutorial or ENVR 598a Consulting with Clients for Sustainability Solutions Precapstone Tutorial the semester prior to capstone enrollment (no earlier), where you'll receive individual advice from your research advisor on your capstone plan. The tutorial is not a course in the traditional sense. You work independently on your proposal with your research advisor by submitting multiple proposal drafts and scheduling individual appointments. You need to make independent progress on the proposal without special prompting from the research advisor.
You register for the tutorial in:
- summer, if you plan to take the capstone in the fall
- fall, if you plan to take the capstone in the spring
- spring, if you plan to take the capstone in the summer (*this sequence is required for international students who need a student visa)
See Tutorial for specific proposal requirements and Timeline for mandatory proposal submission deadlines. You must first choose ENVR 599 (independent research) or ENVR 599a (consulting).
Second, you register for the on-campus capstone as your final, one-and-only course. Due to the heavy demands of the capstone course, you cannot be registered in any other courses. Moreover, all other degree requirements must be fulfilled in order to draw upon your entire ALM education and expertise to produce a final project worthy of a Harvard degree. Capstones are offered on campus in the fall and spring semesters as well as during the intensive three-week summer term.
Timeline
| Task | Fall Capstone | Spring Capstone | Summer Capstone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet with your academic advisor to confirm eligibility to register in the noncredit Precapstone Tutorial (log in to your Degree Candidate Portal to schedule a time). The proposal tutorial is completed the semester prior to the capstone course (no earlier). You take the tutorial In summer for the fall capstone, in fall for the spring capstone, or in spring for the summer capstone). | Jan 1-Feb 1 | May 1-Jun 1 | Aug 1-Sept 1 |
| Schedule an appointment with your research advisor to discuss your capstone topic (log in to your Degree Candidate Portal to schedule a time). | Jan 1-Feb 15 | May 1-July 1 | Sept 1-Oct 15 |
| Register for the noncredit Precapstone Tutorial. | March 2 | July 15 | Nov 3 |
| Submit the prework. Your research advisor needs to ensure your project idea and tentative research or consulting plan is acceptable. You'll be dropped from the tutorial if your prework is not approved. This deadline date should not be the first time that your research advisor is learning about your proposed project! See first task. | Between March 1- May 15 | Between July 15- August 1 |
Between Nov 3-Dec 10 |
| Complete the tutorial. You'll move from tentatively approved prework to a clearly articulated research or consulting plan that you'll complete in the capstone course the following term. | Summer term | Fall term | Spring term |
| Register for Capstone. | July 15 | Nov 3 | Summer registration |
| Complete your capstone project. | Fall term | Spring term | Summer term |