TN Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Capstone

One of the definitions of the word "capstone" is a crowning achievement. The TCED final Capstone Project report provides participants with an opportunity to conduct a project which they consider to be the crowning achievement of their Tennessee Certified Economic Developer experience.

Participants apply the knowledge gained through the TCED course work to address a substantial challenge or opportunity related to economic and community development impacting their community or organization. The Capstone Project gives participants the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge-base of the profession while also contributing to their community or organization.

Capstone Projects consist of two major components:

  1. Report (10- 15 pages)
  2. Presentation  (5 minutes)

Eligibility – May begin process after successful completion of the TBEDC and four of the six TCED core courses.

Time to Completion – Most Capstone Projects are completed in two to six months.

Project Eligibility – Participants may select a new project or a project conducted within the final year of TCED course work. The topic a participant selects should be a project they are passionate about implementing in their organization or community.

TCED Capstone Process At-a-Glance

Forms and Guidelines

Click here for Capstone Project Guidelines

Click here for TCED Application for Capstone Project 

Questions or more information about the Capstone Projects:
Contact Martha Kelley, Capstone Coordinator at (615) 532-3012​ or martha.kelley@tennessee.edu​ 

As of February 2017, the TCED Advisory Board voted to enforce a two-year maximum for TCED candidates to complete the Capstone Program after finishing course work. After the last TCED course is completed, TCED candidates will have two years to finish the Capstone process. Those TCED graduates who have completed all courses before 2017 will be "grandfathered in" by enforcing the two-year completion rate beginning July 1, 2018. In other words, TCED candidates who have completed all course work and are in the Capstone Project phase will be expected to graduate by July 1, 2020.

 

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2019):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2018):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2018):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2017):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2017):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2016):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2016):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2015):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2015):

TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2014):