UCLA should be commended for proposing to implement a “capstone” requirement for students ““ which would require all undergraduates to complete some kind of research or thesis project before they graduate.
The strongest point of the proposal, recently approved by an Academic Senate committee, is that the requirement will be left up to individual departments to enforce. The program would be implemented over the next five to 10 years, meaning few current students will have to complete it.
At a major research university like UCLA, it is important that students are exposed to this type of academic activity; all students, regardless of their majors, should be capable of rigorous research.
But a project like a thesis should not simply be another graduation requirement, as it requires a dedication some students may not be willing to give. Departments should tailor their individual programs in a way that will add to students’ academic experiences in the field.
This opportunity should be used to enrich students’ skill sets and produce graduates who have research, communication and technical abilities that they can market professionally and use in the real world.