A capstone course is a requirement for a degree from Northwest. Each major offers its own capstone course, although some programs are more flexible than others about what capstone courses will be accepted. There are capstone courses for the General Studies area as well.

Students need to take a capstone course during their last year at Northwest, although it is frequently taken during their last semester.

A capstone course is designed to have students apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have mastered in their program of study. Generally speaking, capstone courses ask students to work on a significant project.

Usually these projects require both a paper and a presentation, and the presentation requires both speaking and illustrating the speech in some way - either through props or audiovisual aids. Final project presentations are open to the public, and students receive feedback from those in attendance.

Capstone courses are an important educational experience for students. These courses also help faculty and the college assess how an educational program is meeting its stated goals.