The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) requires a 6-credit capstone experience, which, for the majority of students, will take the form of a master's project or thesis. Each of these options is described below. Most students pursue the master's project option to develop greater experience working with an interdisciplinary team on an external client's real-world sustainability challenge. The thesis option is appropriate for students interested in conducting academic research and requires the approval of a faculty member willing to serve as a thesis advisor. Be sure to consult with your faculty program advisor if you have questions about capstone options and which option is most appropriate for you. Master's project work spans roughly 15 months and thesis work is done throughout the entire program.
Below is the booklet summary of last year's student capstone projects:
Master's Project: Two Pathways
The SEAS client-based master's project is an interdisciplinary problem-solving research endeavor conducted by a team of students and a faculty mentor. Projects prepare students to become leaders in sustainability by working with real-world clients on projects that make an impact locally, nationally, or around the globe. Master’s projects provide students with the kind of experiences that prepare them for similar situations in the workplace. For clients, projects provide useful products and solutions to complex environmental issues.
There are two pathways for students to receive master’s project credit. The overall objectives, requirements, and expectations of master’s projects in both project pathways are the same. Both pathways structure teams consisting of students across multiple SEAS specializations.
Pathway 1: Traditional Master's Project. In October and November, information on several proposals is shared with students. By early December, if pursuing this route, students go through a ranking exercise and are formed into teams and placed on projects fitting their specialization and interests. This is compeleted before the December winter break. Once matched, individual teams work independently with a project advisor on faculty and register for variable project credit over the next two semesters, depending on individual students’ work plans.
Pathway 2: The second pathway is to enroll in a Theme-Based Master’s Project course that also begins in the winter semester. Students apply for any offered projects before the end of fall semester. Each course consists of four teams working on projects with a related thematic focus, but unique clients. Instead of working independently as a single team, students work collaboratively with three other project teams and an instructor through a structured three-semester course series. The series begins with a two-credit winter course on theme-specific content and skills to develop project plans, followed by a two-credit fall course focusing on analysis and synthesis of the summer’s work, and finally a two-credit course during the second winter semester to guide completion of the project, reports and presentations. This pathway includes a separate application step as there are limited slots for teams, unlike the traditional pathway, which only requires enrollment, and has no such student slot limits.
Past theme areas have included: Water Resources and Communities, Climate and Energy, Conservation and Restoration, Circular Economy and Waste, and Food Systems, among others.
NOTE: Incoming students are defaulted into the master’s project track and must petition to move to the thesis (details below) Capstone option only with the approval of a faculty member willing to serve as a thesis advisor.
For more information about traditional master's projects, visit our master's projects page or contact [email protected].
Below is a Comparison Chart based on a prior year and offers additional factors comparing Traditional and Theme-based projects:
Master's Thesis
A master's thesis consists of individual, independent research that generates new knowledge and is designed to contribute to scholarship. This option is often suitable for students considering pursuing a PhD, those interested in research-oriented careers, or individuals seeking an in-depth understanding of a particular topic. Theses usually include a literature review to delineate a problem or gap in knowledge, formulation of research questions and hypotheses, explanation of methods, collection and analysis of data, as well as reporting and discussion of results. Thesis findings should be publishable in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Students wishing to complete a thesis need to secure a committee of faculty members who agree to advise them on this project and are encouraged to consider enrolling in EAS 501.013.
See the Master's Thesis Handbook for full details.
Students interested in a Thesis should be speaking to their academic advisor very early in their first semester to determine viability or to get help with identifying an advisor and with the necessary thesis petition form.
Accelerated Option for Professionals
Are you an experienced professional who wants to develop your sustainability expertise? The SEAS MS degree can be tailored to professionals who have a minimum of five to seven years of leadership and management experience in any field and want to hone their sustainability knowledge. You’ll be able to complete the required 42 credit hours toward your MS degree in three semesters instead of four (taking approximately 14 credit hours on average each semester), and the capstone requirement will be waived.
As a result, you’ll be able to return to your chosen field—or begin a new one focused on the environment and sustainability—in less time, and with the skills and expertise needed to make an impact. Contact a SEAS Admissions Coach at [email protected] to find out if you are eligible for this option.