Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma Program
Study topics you love, learn key academic skills, and stand out to colleges.
What It Is
AP Capstone is not a course. It’s a two-year program based on two AP courses—AP Seminar and AP Research. Other AP courses teach you, in depth, about a specific subject, like biology or U.S. history. AP Seminar and AP Research are different. They focus on helping you develop academic skills you can use in any discipline. These skills include:
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Critical thinking: View issues from multiple perspectives and create arguments based on evidence.
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Collaboration: Work alone, in a group, and with expert advisers to communicate your ideas.
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Conducting research: Explore various research methods and complete research projects on topics of your own choosing.
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Public speaking: Present and defend your work as a group and individually.
What It Can Do for You
Participating in AP Capstone can help you:
How It Works
You must take AP Seminar before AP Research. Each is a yearlong course. (Your school must be part of the AP Capstone Diploma program to offer AP Seminar and AP Research.)
Take AP Seminar
Take AP Research
Earn Awards
AP Credit Policy Search
See colleges that offer credit, advanced placement, or both for AP Seminar and AP Research scores.
The AP Capstone program helped me so much with gaining a foundation in good research and collaborative working skills. ... It is the best program in my opinion for helping with the transition to a college environment.
AP Capstone Awards
Many colleges recognize AP Capstone awards in their admissions process. There are two distinct awards with different requirements.
How You Can Participate
Your school must be part of the AP Capstone Diploma program in order to offer AP Seminar and AP Research.
If Your School Offers AP Capstone
Talk to your teachers, your school counselor, or your school AP coordinator about signing up for AP Seminar, the first course in the AP Capstone program.
If Your School Doesn’t Offer AP Capstone
Let your counselor, AP coordinator, or principal know that you’re interested. Share the page linked below with them—it explains how high schools can join the program.