Peabody College HOD Capstone

HOD students are required to complete a variety of pre-requisite coursework before beginning their Capstone Design process. Learn more about these prerequisites. 

Students must enroll in HOD Capstone Design 4949 the semester before they plan to do their HOD Capstone Experience in NYC. HOD-NYC 4949 Capstone Design is offered in the fall for students designing a spring capstone and in the spring for students designing a summer or fall capstone. It is not offered in the summer. Students who are interested in participating in the Vanderbilt University–New York City program as part of their capstone will receive more information about applying for the program as part of their coursework.

In this course, students partner with the HOD Capstone team and campus resources to explore, develop and implement a successful capstone design process. The Capstone Design process requires students to engage in content, accomplish learning objectives and meet deadlines.

Students who successfully meet the learning objectives and demonstrate readiness will be confirmed for the HOD capstone semester. Once students successfully complete their prerequisite coursework, submit a final Capstone Design Plan and confirm a capstone site, they meet the prerequisites for enrolling in the HOD Capstone coursework.

Students can complete their HOD Capstone experience while studying and living at Vanderbilt's NYC campus. During their capstone, students will be enrolled in four courses of academic coursework that accompany the capstone experience.

• HOD-NYC 4950: Capstone Partnership (six credits in fall/spring P/F, three credits in summer P/F). Students design learning objectives and apply competencies they have developed in earlier coursework to an organizational setting.
• HOD-NYC 4951: Critical Reflexivity and Systems Thinking (three credits/graded). Students develop skills in critical reflection using a case study model to process and analyze workplace behavior, structures, dynamics and culture using theories from earlier coursework.
• HOD-NYC 4952: Mapping Future Personal and Professional Development (three credits/graded). Students use research tools and personal development strategies to identify future goals and map next steps in collaboration with learning communities.
• HOD-NYC 4953: Analysis and Contribution (three credits/graded). Students use methods from human-centered design to analyze key factors impacting organization and develop a project-centered contribution to capstone site.