Many students seeking an MBA in Finance wonder if a capstone project is required for completion of their degree program. With a bachelor’s degree, students demonstrate they are capable of learning. This is usually through comprehensive exams given at the end of the major curriculum. With a master’s degree, students must show what they have learned. There are different ways this can be accomplished and each program sets this requirement differently.
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What is a Capstone Project?
Capstone projects are undertaken during the final semester of studies for a graduate degree. Every accredited school that offers a Master’s in Finance, whether as a concentration through an MBA in Finance program or as a separate degree, has a capstone or a thesis as the final project. The most frequent option used by schools is the capstone. While working on the capstone project, students are expected to choose a subject pertinent to their chosen career path. The project must include various aspects of the curriculum covered during the master’s course. Though many schools offer optional concentrations, such as accounting or public finance, there are core subjects, such as ethics and corporate organization, that are completed in all master level programs that involve finance. A properly constructed capstone project includes topics from core subjects as well as those subjects of specialization that the student has pursued throughout their study program.
Is a Thesis a Better Option?
Although a thesis and capstone have common goals, there are differences, according to Dr. Sara Heaton. A thesis demands more time and more energy than a capstone project. A final thesis is a publishable document that covers the same area as a capstone but is more intense. Generally, a thesis uncovers new ground as yet unexplored by former students and presents the industry involved—in this case, the Finance Industry—with new ideas, methods, or criteria from which to work. Those who opt to work on a thesis rather than a capstone begin working on their project during the second year of their three-year graduate level classes. A thesis involves more time, more energy, and significantly more research than a capstone project.
How Does a Capstone Project Affect a Career?
The intent of students pursuing an MBA in Finance is to advance their career. Employers at the upper levels of the finance industry often peruse capstone and thesis projects of applicants for top-level management jobs. Those seeking a specific post should choose the subject of their master level capstone or thesis for its relevance to the position pursued. While delving into possible advancements in portfolio management techniques may be intriguing, the project will not help the candidate seeking a career in real estate development. Constructing a capstone project pertinent to the student’s career choice is essential if the student is to use it as a career building tool.
The MBA in Finance degree leads to incredible opportunities in the business realm. To enjoy the advantages an MBA in Finance provides, students must attack their capstone project with a vigor beyond that of regular studies. Entering into the environment of upper management through the acquisition of an MBA in Finance degree should not be taken lightly. A worthy capstone project is essential to the climb to higher management.
