The SMP is a year-long, 8 credit capstone at St. Mary’s. The project is focused around a student-chosen topic, and can take different forms as the student desires: a research paper, or a creative expression of the arts. Students work closely with a professor as they continue to explore the chosen topic. As the project progresses, students can include study abroad and internship experience, and other experimental formats mixed with traditional research skills.
The project allows students to tailor the major according to their own needs by pursuing their interests in one or more subfields of study: literary or cultural analysis, creative writing, linguistics, translation, foreign language pedagogy, etc. In preparation for the SMP, all majors enroll in a St. Mary’s Project Workshop in the spring of the junior year, which exposes them to the different subfields of study and helps them refine their research skills. At the end of their senior year, they present their project to students and faculty in the department.

Economics SMPs

The Economics SMP allows you to explore the broad subject of economics and then focus on one topic that most interests you. Members of the economics faculty are committed to mentoring you in the development of your own ideas in the initiation and realization of the SMP. Many students have had their SMPs published or presented them at professional conferences.