What is a Capstone course?

Capstone courses are advisor-guided, research-intensive independent studies designed for students who desire to pursue advanced work in a focused area of study within the Living Faith Bible Institute.

Each student engages in sustained critical inquiry, culminating in a formal thesis rooted in theology, church history, ministry leadership, missions, or biblical counseling. Through structured research and scholarly dialogue, students refine their arguments, evaluate primary and secondary sources, and contribute meaningful reflection to their chosen discipline.

Over the course of a 32-week academic year (fall and spring semesters), students meet regularly with a designated capstone advisor. These meetings provide guided oversight in topic development, research methodology, resource acquisition, drafting, revision, and final submission.

The capstone experience is designed for students who desire to deepen their calling, sharpen their theological and ministerial clarity, and contribute to a growing body of scholarship that will serve the Living Faith Fellowship for years to come.

Capstone courses offer you the opportunity to pursue rigorous, advisor-guided research in your area of calling—producing meaningful scholarship that sharpens your ministry and leaves a lasting contribution to the Living Faith Fellowship.

Check out our different areas of emphasis

Students will select a focused issue within biblical counseling—from grief and addiction to trauma, conflict, and sexual brokenness—and craft a clearly defined thesis that addresses a specific pastoral and theological dimension of that topic.

Biblical Counseling Capstone

Requirements: 2/3 of program of study completed

Introduction to Biblical Counseling, Biblical Counseling Labs 1-3

Students will choose a focused area within missions or church planting—from methodology and finance to cultural, historical, or regional studies—and develop a clearly defined thesis that articulates a unique and researchable contribution within that field.

Missiology Capstone

Requirements: 2/3 of program of study completed

Introduction to Missions, Missions1-3

Students will choose a focused dimension of pastoral and church leadership—from preaching and discipleship to governance, culture, crisis care, and reform—and develop a clearly articulated thesis that offers a biblically grounded and practically actionable contribution to local church ministry.

ministry leadership Capstone

Pastoral Epistles, Pastoral Procedures, Servant Leadership, The Biblically Principled Church, Introduction to Homiletics

Requirements: 2/3 of program of study completed

Students will concentrated on an area within systematic, historical, or philosophical theology—ranging from core doctrines and apologetic defense to intellectual history and cultural engagement—and formulate a rigorous thesis that critically examines and advances thoughtful Christian scholarship.

Theology & History Capstone

Requirements: 2/3 of program of study completed

Hermeneutics, Dispensational & Systematic Theology, Worldview & Biblical Reasoning, Apologetics

Students will pursue focused exegetical research in Old or New Testament studies, thematic biblical theology, or difficult texts—producing a doctrinally rich and historically informed thesis that brings clarity, coherence, and faithful application to Scripture.

Biblical Studies Capstone

Hermeneutics, English Grammar and the King James Bible, Dispensational and Systematic Theology, Sevens: A Doctrinal Framework

Requirements: 2/3 of program of study completed

Questions about Capstone Courses?

Check out the Library of Capstone Research.

See what previous students have produced.