Capstone Options

Capstone courses provide students with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their child development coursework and apply it in a culminating experience. All capstone courses are writing intensive, but each course provides a unique experience that can enhance students' preparation for their educational and career pursuits. Therefore, students should consider their educational and career interests and goals when choosing their capstone course. Students may choose one course from the following five options:

The following two options are the most commonly chosen capstone options:

  • CDV 490 - Senior Seminar (3) Prerequisites: 2.75 GPA requirements 
  • CDV 496 - Directed Field Experience (4) 

To learn more about CDV 496 Directed Fieldwork watch this Beginner's Guide to Fieldwork CDV 496 

The following options are for students who are interested in research:

  • CDV 498 - Directed Research (3) Prerequisites: upper division standing; 2.5 GPA, “B” or better in CDV 320, and instructor consent.
    • CDV 498 is not offered during Spring Intersession. 
  • CDV 492 - Seminar in Child Development Research (4) Prerequisites: 2.75 GPA; grade of "B" or better in CDV 320, and instructor consent

The following course is a temporary capstone option: 

  • CDV 495 - Special Topics: Atypical Development (3)

Registration in Capstone Courses

All capstone courses require the Capstone Enrollment Form, and some may require additional forms (see below). Prior to submitting any capstone enrollment forms, please verify that you are eligible to enroll in capstone coursework. 

To be eligible to enroll in the capstone courses, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Students must have completed all introductory and foundational* courses with a “C” or better prior to the capstone semester.
  • Students must have completed the following specialized courses with a "C" or better:
    1. CDV 380
    2. CDV 366

    * Students who enroll in spring intersession courses will need to have completed ALL specialized courses with a "C" or better.

    Students may be enrolled in the specialized courses during the semester they submit their application. 

    Permission numbers will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis based on application submission time. The department will email permission numbers approximately one month after registration opened because it takes time to verify applicant eligibility and enrollment in the remaining required coursework.

    Note! The department will attempt to accommodate student schedules. Preferences for instructors cannot be observed because the department places more than 200 students in capstone courses, has a limited number of course options available, and each course has enrollment caps.

    Please review the capstone course options in the drop-down menu on the left and submit the necessary capstone enrollment form(s) online by the dates shown below: 

    Applications for the capstone course are submitted in the semester BEFORE students plan to enroll in the course. 

    The Spring 2024 Online Registration Window for Capstone Applications will open ONLINE: September 11, 2023 and will CLOSE September 25, 2023.

    Semester in which the student will enroll in Capstone CourseDate by which the Enrollment Form must be submitted online
    Spring 2024September 25, 2023 by 5:00pm

    Enrollment Forms

    Applications are submitted ONLINE via Microsoft Forms. All capstone courses require the Capstone Enrollment Form. Please view all course descriptions before applying, and choose ONLY ONE Capstone option. 

    Please use your campus credentials to sign in: campus ID@campus.csudh.edu. For example, a student named Jane Doe would log in using jdoe1@campus.csudh.edu. Please use your campus password. DO NOT USE YOUR TOROMAIL ADDRESS.

    CAPSTONE APPLICATION: Capstone Enrollment Form Spring 2024

    • For Senior Seminar (CDV 490), submit the Capstone Enrollment Form only.
    • For Directed Fieldwork (CDV 496), submit the Capstone Enrollment Form only.
    • For Special Topics: Atypical Development (CDV 495), submit the Capstone Enrollment Form only. 
    • For Directed Research (CDV 498), you must coordinate with an instructor one semester ahead of your intended capstone semester. Submit:
      • Capstone Enrollment Form
      • Directed Research Enrollment Form (pdf): click to download the form. Fill out and email the completed form to the instructor. They will need to prepare a summary of your shared research plan and email it with the completed form to the department at cdevelopment@csudh.edu
      • Carefully review the Directed Research webpage and Faculty research descriptions first here.
    • For Seminar in Child Development Research (CDV 492), please note that the course is only available to a cohort of 12 or more students coordinated by a faculty member. You may not be able to enroll if there is not enough student interest.

    Please contact the department if you need assistance using forms at cdevelopment@csudh.edu