One of the most noteworthy parts of completing a graduate program is the completion of your own thesis or capstone project.
The opportunity to complete a capstone project is not exclusive to students pursuing their degree in person. SDSU Global Campus’ Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs requires students to take a capstone course in which they create a paper and presentation.
We reached out to a recent graduate of the program, Mony Clark, to get her insight about the capstone process, as well as her experience with Global Campus as a whole. Clark is a working professional in the field, and a great success story of the program.
1. What was the most valuable thing you learned during your time with SDSU Global Campus?
“The most valuable thing I gained from SDSU Global Campus was the ability to think strategically and globally about Regulatory Affairs. The program helped me move beyond viewing regulations as isolated requirements and instead understand them as interconnected frameworks that influence product development, quality systems, post-market surveillance, and patient safety across regions. This systems-level perspective has been especially valuable given my current global role and background in Quality, as it has strengthened my ability to align compliance activities with broader business and regulatory strategy.”
2. What was your strategy for overcoming any challenges you faced during the program?
“Balancing full-time professional responsibilities as a working mom along with graduate coursework was the primary challenge. My strategy was to intentionally integrate my academic work with my day-to-day role as a Quality professional. I approached assignments as opportunities to deepen my understanding of real-world regulatory issues I was already encountering, which made the workload more meaningful and manageable. Strong time management, early planning, and consistent weekly routines were also critical, as was staying engaged with instructors and classmates when clarification or perspective was needed.”
3. Were there any instructors or courses from the program that shaped your experience in a significant way?
“Several courses stood out because they directly connected regulatory theory to practical application, particularly those focused on global regulatory frameworks, clinical trials and IVD regulations. The instructors brought real-world regulatory experience into the classroom, which elevated discussions beyond textbook learning. Their emphasis on critical thinking, regulatory rationale, and submission scenarios significantly shaped how I now approach regulatory and quality decision-making in my current role.”
4. What was your experience like completing your capstone project?
“Completing the capstone project was both challenging and rewarding. It required synthesizing knowledge from across the program and applying it to a complex, realistic regulatory problem. For me, the capstone reinforced how regulatory strategy, quality systems, risk management, and post-market considerations must work together cohesively. It felt less like an academic exercise and more like a professional deliverable, which made the experience highly relevant and confidence-building.”
5. How has your time in the program prepared you to work in Regulatory Affairs in the future?
“The program strengthened my ability to operate effectively at the intersection of Quality and Regulatory Affairs. It equipped me with a deeper understanding of global regulatory expectations, submission pathways, and lifecycle management, while reinforcing the importance of proactive compliance and risk-based decision-making. As someone already working in Quality, the degree has expanded my regulatory fluency and positioned me to contribute more strategically to regulatory planning, inspections, and cross-functional collaboration moving forward.”
6. What is the best piece of advice you’d give to someone considering going back to school?
“My advice would be to approach graduate school with a clear intent and to actively connect what you are learning to your professional experience. The value of the program increases significantly when coursework is treated as a tool for professional growth rather than just an academic requirement. It also helps to be realistic about time commitments, stay disciplined, and leverage the experience and perspectives of instructors and peers. When approached thoughtfully, going back to school can be both manageable and career-transforming.”
Want to Start your Graduate Journey with SDSU Online?
All SDSU Online graduate programs, including regulatory affairs, are flexible and taught by experienced professionals who want you to succeed. Apply to SDSU Online today to work towards your very own capstone project!
