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Benefits of the AP Capstone Diploma Program

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.

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.

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.

Higher Education’s Support for AP Capstone:

  • AP Capstone is a powerful indicator of college readiness on a student’s transcript and helps students stand out to colleges in the application process.
  • Research has found that students who take AP Capstone courses are more likely to persist in college and earn higher first-year college GPAs.

See colleges that grant credit for AP Seminar.

See colleges that grant credit for AP Research.

Learn more about higher education's support.

Offer AP Capstone at Your School