Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Masters Capstone Thesis (Online)

COMM 6900-B82

Course: COMM 6900-B82
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: COMM
CRN: 32117

Course Description

A capstone experience demonstrating the ability to complete a professional thesis in consultation with a graduate committee. Students conceive, research, and produce a thesis in a relevant area of communication. (Fall - 1st Session, Fall - 2nd Session, Spring - 1st Session, Spring - 2nd Session, Summer - 1st Session, Summer - 2nd Session) [Graduate Thesis/Capstone Pass/Fail] Registration Restriction(s): MA in Professional Communication majors only and instructor permission needed.

Required Texts

As students in this course are required to complete a capstone thesis or project, the readings will be specific to the capstone.  All students are required to use academic literature from the discipline as a foundation for their thesis/projects and will integrate these into a literature review and theoretical summary within their final write-ups.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the master’s thesis or project in communication, students will be able to:

  • Identify and articulate a significant, researchable problem, question, or need in the field of communication.
  • Analyze scholarly literature to situate the research within relevant theoretical and empirical contexts.
  • Apply appropriate communication theories to guide the research or project design.
  • Design and implement a methodologically sound study or applied communication project.
  • Evaluate and interpret data or project outcomes using established analytical frameworks.
  • Synthesize findings with existing scholarship to draw informed conclusions and implications.
  • Produce a written thesis or project report that meets disciplinary standards for clarity, rigor, and scholarly style.
  • Demonstrate adherence to ethical principles and professional standards in all phases of the work.
  • Reflect on the research or project process to assess personal and professional growth and identify directions for future inquiry.

Course Requirements

Whether completing a thesis or project, students will produce a written document containing the following sections: 1) Introduction/justification; 2) Literature review with foundational theory and/or research; 3) Methods for gathering data or implementing the project; 4) Deliverables (research findings for a thesis and material evidence for a project); 5) Interpretation of research findings or project reflections.

Course Outline

 Course Checkpoints:

1. Review the continuance options if capstone isn't completed in one session.
2. Write the introduction.
3. Write the literature review.
4. Schedule an appointment with the writing center for the end of the session.
5. Review the program policies on the use of Chat GPT and other AI tools.
6. Write the methods section.
7. Write up the results of the research project or provide the provide the project deliverables.
8. Write up a discussion/interpretation of research findings or reflection on project goals and limitations.
9. Visit the writing center.
10. Submit a final draft of the capstone project/thesis.
11. Submit the library permission form to archive the thesis/project in the SUU Thesis Repository.

*If students are doing a "continuance" session, they will work from the last completed point in this list.


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Because the course involves individualized mentorship, the due dates for different sections of the capstone thesis/project are negotiated between the faculty member and student. These dates may end up being somewhat flexible in light of various circumstances, such as awaiting IRB approvals, challenges with data collection, etc.

Attendance Policy

As an asynchronous online course, attendance is not required, but students may want to schedule regular online chats or phone calls with their faculty mentor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.