AP Capstone™ at VirtualSC

The AP Capstone Program is a non subject specific program whose goal is to equip students with independent research, collaborative teamwork and communication skills necessary for college and beyond.  The Capstone program consists of two yearlong courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.  In AP Seminar, students prepare for and complete a team project and presentation, an individual research-based essay, and an AP Seminar Exam.  In AP Research, students design, plan and conduct a year-long research project, documented by a portfolio.  AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.  Students who receive a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research are eligible to receive an AP Seminar and Research Certificate.  Students who receive a 3 or higher on both Capstone courses and 4 additional AP exams are eligible for a Capstone Diploma.  Detailed information on the AP Capstone Program can be found on the College Board’s AP Capstone Program website (opens in a new window) and the AP Capstone Student Brochure (opens in a new window)

VirtualSC AP Seminar Course Description (opens in a new window).

AP Seminar Participation Details

Due to the College Board’s requirement that 3-5 students collaborate on team projects and presentations, AP Seminar requires more support from the sponsoring school than normal VirtualSC courses.  Therefore, VirtualSC requires that schools enroll in the VirtualSC Capstone program as sponsors and agree to the necessary levels of support. Students will be enrolled in AP Seminar directly by their sponsoring school, and will not need to complete the normal VirtualSC registration process.

VirtualSC AP Capstone Sponsor Details (opens in a new window)

AP Seminar and AP Research Enrollment Process

Students interested in AP Seminar or AP Research will follow normal registration protocol by requesting the course in the VirtualSC Dashboard and awaiting sponsor school approval online. In addition to sponsor school approval, the following documentation must be submitted to Katina Montgomery by the first day of classes for the fall term:

AP Capstone School Sponsor Agreement

PLUS one of the following:

AP Seminar Parent Permission Form

AP Research Parent Permission Form

Students will only be enrolled in the desired AP Capstone course once the required forms are on file. Student requests that do not have the accompanying forms on file by the first day of classes will be removed from the Dashboard and enrollment into the desired AP Capstone course will not be possible for the school year.

Additional Information

For questions and additional information on the AP Seminar Pilot, please contact Katina Montgomery at kmontgomery@ed.sc.gov.