Capstone Guide and Research Approval

Select the capstone course that best meets your needs

Two capstone courses are available in the MSA Program:

  • MSA 698, Applied Research and Professional Development
  • MSA 699, Applied Research Capstone Project

The MSA Program does not require a thesis. However, the capstone courses allow you to demonstrate the integration of your learning throughout the program.

Your instructor will develop their teaching syllabus from the Master Course Syllabus (MCS). The teaching syllabus will be used for your specific course section. There are two resources listed on the MCS. Most students will have a copy of the APA Style Guide from taking the MSA 600 course. The Student Guide to the MSA Capstone Project is free and the link can be found on the research approval webpage. 

MSA 698: Applied Research and Professional Development

  • 16 weeks.
  • Research Project which entails a series of submissions along with a Personalized Professional Development Paper.
    • IRB/RRA approval is not necessary.
    • Secondary research only. No primary data collected.
    • Is not related to the proposal developed in MSA 600.
    • Rubric scoring.
    • Must be related to your MSA concentration.
    • In order to register, you will need to be on track and successfully pass 27 credits in the MSA program, which include MSA 600, MSA 601, MSA 602, MSA 603, and MSA 604 by the time the course begins.

    MSA 699: Applied Research Capstone Project

    • 16 weeks.
    • Research Project which entails a series of submissions.
    • IRB/RRA approval required.
    • Primary research is required.
    • Rubric scoring.
    • Must be related to MSA concentration.
    • In order to register, you will need to be on track and successfully pass 24 credits in the MSA program which include MSA 600, MSA 602, and MSA 603 by the time the course begins.

    Refer to the Central Michigan University Library's website for samples and additional helpful materials.

    Capstone guides and research approval

    Step 1: Read/review the Capstone Guides

    Capstone Guides

    Every MSA 699 student is required to obtain Research Review Application (RRA) or Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before collecting data. The RRA process is handled by the MSA office. This page includes MSA 699 resources, forms, and templates for the Research Review Application process as well as the Student Guide to the MSA Capstone Project, Parts 1 and 2.

    MSA 699 Resources (Fall 2024 Edition):

    Step 2: Complete the research review application form

    Research Review Application Process

    Forms for the Research Review Application (RRA) process:

    The fillable PDF will accept either a digital signature (see instructions in Student Guide) or a typed signature.

    Step 3: Develop your supporting materials

    MSA 699 Templates

    Survey Cover Letter/Consent Form Templates (Word documents):

    Interview Templates (Word documents)

    Permission Letter Template (Word document)

    Instructions and Help:

    Step 4: Submit your Research Review Application and supporting materials to your MSA 699 instructor

    If you need IRB Approval:

    Institutional Review Board Information

    The majority of MSA students will complete the research review application process. Students with projects meeting the definition of research will be required to complete CITI training and go through CMU's IRB (Institutional Review Board) process. In brief, students will need the IRB process if they plan to use human subjects in their research and have the intent to produce generalizable findings.

    CMU's Office of Research Compliance oversees the IRB process and applications are submitted via IRBManager. IRBManager is an Internet-based submission system and is the only method available for submitting an IRB application.

    Please review the IRBManager User Guidance page for information about the IRB process and the use of IRBManager. Contact the MSA Office for additional assistance (989-774-2367). Please note that the instructor must be listed as the primary investigator on all IRB forms.

    Online Training in the Use of Human Subjects (CITI)

    CITI training certification is required for MSA 699 students and their instructors if the IRB process is needed. CMU has adopted the online training system offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).

    Students and their instructors will register with CITI and complete the Basic Human Subjects—Social and Behavioral Focus course. The course must be completed at 80% or better for each module. This training must be in place before submission of any IRB materials through IRBManager.

    Office of Research Compliance 989-774-6401

    IRB Committee Information