AP Capstone - AP Central

What’s the AP Capstone Diploma Program?

AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from the College Board based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.

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The graphic consists of a vertical column with multiple rows of text. The column is broken into three main sections. The top section has the heading AP Seminar. Under this heading are two rows of text, as follows: Year 1; Earn score of 3 or higher. The middle section has the heading AP Research. Under this heading are two rows of text as follows: Year 2; Earn score of 3 or higher. The bottom section consists of the heading 4 AP Exams. Underneath the heading is the following text: Throughout High School; Earn score of 3 or higher. Along the left side of the vertical column is a bracket labeled AP Capstone Diploma. The bracket includes all three sections of the vertical column. Along the right side of the column is a bracket labeled AP Seminar and Research Certificate. This bracket includes only the AP Seminar and AP Research sections of the column.

Students can earn the AP Capstone Diploma™ or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

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The Benefits of AP Capstone

Participating in AP Capstone can help students:

Stand out to colleges in the application process.
Develop key academic skills they’ll use in other classes, college, and beyond.
Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers.
Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.

See High Schools That Participate in AP Capstone

Benefits of AP Capstone Decorative Image

Offering the AP Capstone program gives school leaders and teachers:

Academic distinction, as the program is widely recognized for its skills focus and innovation.
Flexible student-centered curricula with room for creativity and student input.
Access to a weeklong, collaborative training event.

See Colleges That Endorse AP Capstone

Benefits for School Leaders

AP Seminar is an introductory AP class for grades 10 and 11, and serves as a prerequisite for AP Research, which is typically offered in grades 11 or 12. Both courses are designed as yearlong courses.
These courses can be assigned to a variety of academic departments, allowing flexibility for school leaders to maximize student access.
AP Seminar is increasingly placed in English/language arts departments as a 10th-grade course. Learn why AP Seminar is an excellent option to enhance 10th-grade English.
AP Research is typically placed in English/language arts, science, or social science departments for 11th- or 12th-grade enrollments.

Webinars and Events

Past: Learn More About the AP Capstone Diploma Program

Watch this informational webinar to learn how to become an AP Capstone Diploma school and about the benefits of the program, which include:

AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary courses in which students develop their research, analysis, collaboration, and presentation skills.
AP Capstone Diploma candidates stand out to colleges in the application process through academic distinction.
AP Capstone alumni are more likely to earn higher first-year GPAs in college and persist to their second year.

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Password: October2021!

AP Capstone helps students develop key skills that they will use over and over in college: conducting research and communicating their results.

—Stu Schmill, Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Participating High Schools

Apply Now to Participate

Schools must be approved by the AP Program before they can offer the AP Capstone Diploma™ program. If you’ve already applied, you can check the status of your application.

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More than 2,000 high schools are approved to offer the AP Capstone Diploma program. Use this search to find participating schools in your city, district, state, or country.

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If your school is a participating school, visit the AP Seminar and AP Research course pages to explore essential resources and be aware of important deadlines.

Required Professional Learning

All AP Seminar and AP Research teachers at approved schools must complete professional learning consisting of:

In-person or virtual training: Teachers must complete a five-day workshop the summer before their first year of teaching the course.
Annual online rubric training: During the school year, teachers must also complete online training modules on scoring student work.

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AP Capstone helped me work independently, think critically about research and the research process, and organize myself so I can present to other people.

—Michael, Stanford University

FAQ

What are the requirements for teachers of AP Capstone courses? Are there prerequisites for students? Get the answers to these and other questions about the AP Capstone program.

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Application Timeline

Schools must apply and be approved to offer the AP Capstone Diploma program before they can offer AP Seminar and AP Research to their students.

That’s because these skills-focused courses are different from other AP courses in many ways, including exam structure, exam scoring, and training requirements.

We want to make sure your school understands these expectations and has the resources needed to support implementation.

Apply Now

If you’ve already applied, you can check the status of your application.