What is AP Capstone？
AP Capstone, created by the College Board, is a research-based program representing the pinnacle of the AP discipline. Comprising two one-year components, AP Seminar and AP Research, students undertake AP Seminar in the initial year and AP Research in the subsequent one.
Why AP Capstone？
Collaboration
Work alone, in a group and with expert advisers to communicate your ideas.
Critical Thinking
View issues from multiple perspectives and create arguments based on evidence.
Collaboration
Explore vrious research methods and complete research projects on topics of you own choosing.
Public speaking
Present and defend your work as a group and idividually.
What College Faculty and Admission Officers Are Saying
We can help
Novel Prep partner school takes pride in presenting the innovative AP Capstone Diploma™ program, a diploma initiative offered by the College Board, the organization responsible for overseeing Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams.
AP Capstone students make an impression.
TheAP Capstone Diploma is available at just around 2,000 out of over 42,000 highschools across the United States.
Withover 100,000 students from 2,500+ schools worldwide participating in 2022-23.About 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students earnedthe AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
- Stand out in the college admission process, Ivy League schools highly value students who have completed the AP Capstone program.
- Earn academic awards recognized by colleges worldwide.Develop key skills you’ll use in college and career
- Become a self-confident, independent thinker and problem solver.Study topics you’re passionate about, in depth.
- AP Capstone students excel in crafting evidence-based arguments, using research methods, teamwork, professional presentations, and completing long-term projects. This highlights their critical thinking, communication, and research skills.
How Does It Work?
You must take AP Seminar before AP Research. Each is a yearlong course.
Structure of the AP Capstone Program
First Year Take AP Seminar
In AP Seminar, you’ll investigate topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and give both individual and team presentations.
Second Year Take AP Research
In AP Research, you’ll build on what you learned in AP Seminar to design, plan, and conduct a yearlong research-based investigation on a topic of your choice.
Earn Awards
You can earn 1 of 2 AP Capstone awards if you take both courses and fulfill other requirements. And you’ll receive an AP score for each separate course.
Earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.
Earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of your choice. You can take the four additional exams anytime during high school.
Q&A
Yes. Students will be able to earn a US High School transcript after passing AP Seminar and AP Research.
A grade of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research earns an AP Capstone Certificate; a grade of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research plus a grade of 3 or higher in four other AP classes earns an AP Capstone Diploma.
Upon completion of the AP Capstone program, students will be able to earn a U.S. High School transcript, receive credit and GPA for AP Seminar and AP Research, which will enhance their acceptance rate during the college application process, making it easier for them to stand out, and allowing them to adapt to college coursework more quickly once they enter college. Students who need to take the exams can travel to the U.S. to take the exams on their own. At that time, students will be able to view and download the certificates/diplomas they have earned from AP Capstone online, and these awards will be included in the AP Scholars Awards, which will be listed on the Scholars Roster; at the same time, students will have the opportunity to earn college credits for skipping the introductory courses and going directly to the higher level courses.
No. If a student wishes to earn a certificate or diploma from AP Capstone, the student must take the AP exam and meet the required grades.
AP Seminar, the first course in AP Capstone, is for 10th and 11th graders. It’s recommended to take AP Seminar in 10th grade and AP Research in 11th grade for the full benefits before applying to college.
Earn college credit before college begins.
Novel Prep’s Dual Enrollment Program helps motivated students strengthen their academic profile, complete U.S. high school credit requirements, and explore transferable college-level coursework through structured online learning and academic support.
Evaluate academic background
Review grade level, current transcript, graduation needs, and college goals.
Build a credit pathway
Select eligible dual enrollment courses based on student goals and workload.
Complete online coursework
Students learn through an online platform with structured academic support.
Track progress and credits
Families receive updates, reminders, and learning reports throughout the process.
A stronger academic pathway for ambitious students.
DEP is designed for students who want to build a more competitive academic background while gaining early exposure to college-level expectations. Students receive structured course planning, learning support, and ongoing progress monitoring.
College-Level Academic Experience
Students complete selected dual credit courses online while developing academic skills needed for future undergraduate study.
U.S. High School Credit Planning
The program can support students who need a clearer pathway toward U.S. high school graduation requirements and transcript building.
Guided Support, Not Self-Study Only
Students receive tutoring, teaching assistant support, online Q&A, progress reminders, and communication with families.
A clear process from planning to credit completion.
Novel Prep helps students map out appropriate coursework, register for eligible online credit programs, and stay on track throughout the learning process.
Academic Evaluation
We review the student’s current grade level, academic record, graduation needs, and target college pathway.
Course Planning
Advisors recommend a suitable dual enrollment plan based on credit goals, workload, and transfer relevance.
Online Learning
Students complete coursework through an online learning platform while receiving structured academic support.
Progress Tracking
Families receive updates, reminders, and learning reports to help students stay accountable and organized.
Designed for different academic goals.
DEP can be used as an academic acceleration pathway, a transcript-strengthening strategy, or a structured bridge toward U.S. higher education.
Enter college with completed credits
Students may begin freshman year with eligible college credits already completed, allowing them to explore more advanced coursework earlier or reduce future course load.
Build toward an accelerated transfer plan
For selected students, DEP may support a more accelerated college pathway when course credits align with the requirements of their target institutions.
Students are supported at every step.
Our goal is to make online college-level learning more structured, transparent, and manageable for high school students and families.
Canvas Online Learning
Students complete coursework through a learning management system with clear assignments and deadlines.
Teaching Assistant Support
Important concepts, difficult points, and coursework expectations are organized for students.
Online 1:1 Q&A
Students can receive timely help when they encounter questions in specific subjects.
Detailed Learning Reports
Families receive progress updates to better understand student performance and next steps.
Reap multiple academic rewards.
Students who complete the required DEP courses may strengthen both their high school and college academic records, depending on the selected pathway and institutional policies.
Course options built around credit planning.
Course availability may vary by term, student eligibility, and partner institution requirements. Final course selection should be confirmed with an advisor.
Core 30-Credit Course Plan
A structured set of foundational courses commonly used for general education planning and credit building.
Optional Course Areas
Students may also explore additional subjects based on academic interests, transfer goals, and availability.
Common questions about DEP.
Who is the DEP program best for?
DEP is best for motivated students who want to strengthen their academic profile, complete eligible credit requirements, and experience college-level coursework before entering university.
Are dual enrollment credits guaranteed to transfer?
Transfer policies vary by college, major, department, and course type. Families should review target school policies carefully before making decisions.
Will Novel Prep help students manage online coursework?
Yes. Novel Prep provides course planning, tutoring support, teaching assistant Q&A, progress reminders, and learning reports to help students stay organized.
Can DEP replace regular high school planning?
DEP should be treated as part of a broader academic plan. Students still need appropriate advising to make sure coursework aligns with graduation requirements and college goals.
Interested in building an accelerated college-credit pathway?
Connect with Novel Prep to evaluate your student’s academic background, course options, credit goals, and the most suitable DEP pathway.
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