A writing project (Thesis, Field Study, or Scholarly Study) provides an opportunity for the student to obtain first-hand experience in research methods under competent direction of a faculty member. The thesis and field study writing project must be assigned to a total of at least six hours of graduate credit on the approved program of study. The scholarly study writing project may be 3-6 hours of graduate credit on the approved program of study. All writing projects should be initiated no later than one semester before the anticipated date of graduation in order to provide sufficient time for research, writing and examination.
At the time a student elects to write a thesis, field study, or scholarly study for either the Master's Degree or the Specialist Degree, the advisor and the Chair of the Graduate Program Committee concerned shall obtain approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research on the composition of the committee by submitting a "Proposed Supervisory Committee" form. This committee will approve a thesis problem and guide the student in the writing of the thesis, field study or scholarly study. The committee will also examine the student in the required oral examination at the completion of the project. The time and place of the examination will be determined by the Chair of the Committee.
The committee will be composed of the following graduate faculty members:
Exceptions to the composition of the thesis committee must be approved by the Graduate Program Chair and The Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. The candidate, along with the major professor, may seek a review of the composition of the committee if sufficient cause is shown.
If the candidate fails to pass the oral examination, the committee shall choose one of the following options:
It is the responsibility of the student of follow all regulations contained in the "Guide for Preparation of Theses, Field Studies, and Scholarly Studies," a copy of which can be obtained in the Office of Graduate Studies & Research or via the web. Students are required to follow specific formatting guidelines for the title and acceptance pages of the writing project. It would be to the student's advantage to submit a draft of the project to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research two weeks prior to the due date of the project for format review. The following is a brief overview (not all inclusive) of the writing project requirements.
The original copy of Theses, Scholarly Studies and Field Studies must be typed. Acceptable type includes a dark print from a letter-quality printer (laser printer preferred). Dot matrix is not acceptable. The original shall be prepared on 20 pound (minimum), at least 25% cotton (rag) content, watermarked bond paper. The page size must be 8 ½ x 11. Margins should be at least 1 ½ inches on the left margin and 1 inch on the right. The top and bottom margins must be 1 ¼ inches unless special permission is obtained. Illustrations should also conform to this requirement. The duplicate copies may be reproduced by photocopying and do not have to be on the bond paper.
Thesis: The candidate must prepare five unbound copies of the thesis. One original (as described above) and four duplicate copies are to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research at least one week prior to graduation. The student is responsible for the binding fees for all five copies.
Scholarly Study: The candidate must prepare three unbound copies of the Scholarly Study. All copies are to be considered originals (as described above) and should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research at least one week prior to graduation. The candidate is responsible for the binding fees for two of the three copies.
Field Study: The candidate must prepare three copies of the Field Study. One unbound original (as described above) is to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research at least one week prior to graduation. Two duplicate copies are to be bound (following departmental specifications) by the student and submitted to the department.
The student must have an oral defense of the writing project. At that time, the supervisory committee must sign the acceptance page. Approval of the writing by every member of the supervisory committee is required.
7 Dec 2006