thesis for graduate studies

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Guide to writing your thesis/dissertation, definition of dissertation and thesis.

The dissertation or thesis is a scholarly treatise that substantiates a specific point of view as a result of original research that is conducted by students during their graduate study. At Cornell, the thesis is a requirement for the receipt of the M.A. and M.S. degrees and some professional master’s degrees. The dissertation is a requirement of the Ph.D. degree.

Formatting Requirement and Standards

The Graduate School sets the minimum format for your thesis or dissertation, while you, your special committee, and your advisor/chair decide upon the content and length. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other mechanical issues are your sole responsibility. Generally, the thesis and dissertation should conform to the standards of leading academic journals in your field. The Graduate School does not monitor the thesis or dissertation for mechanics, content, or style.

“Papers Option” Dissertation or Thesis

A “papers option” is available only to students in certain fields, which are listed on the Fields Permitting the Use of Papers Option page , or by approved petition. If you choose the papers option, your dissertation or thesis is organized as a series of relatively independent chapters or papers that you have submitted or will be submitting to journals in the field. You must be the only author or the first author of the papers to be used in the dissertation. The papers-option dissertation or thesis must meet all format and submission requirements, and a singular referencing convention must be used throughout.

ProQuest Electronic Submissions

The dissertation and thesis become permanent records of your original research, and in the case of doctoral research, the Graduate School requires publication of the dissertation and abstract in its original form. All Cornell master’s theses and doctoral dissertations require an electronic submission through ProQuest, which fills orders for paper or digital copies of the thesis and dissertation and makes a digital version available online via their subscription database, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses . For master’s theses, only the abstract is available. ProQuest provides worldwide distribution of your work from the master copy. You retain control over your dissertation and are free to grant publishing rights as you see fit. The formatting requirements contained in this guide meet all ProQuest specifications.

Copies of Dissertation and Thesis

Copies of Ph.D. dissertations and master’s theses are also uploaded in PDF format to the Cornell Library Repository, eCommons . A print copy of each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation is submitted to Cornell University Library by ProQuest.

Writing your thesis

Follow these steps, thesis proposal arrow_drop_down.

Most doctoral programs and some master’s programs require students to submit a formal thesis proposal. The thesis proposal is an excellent planning tool. It helps bring the thesis topic into sharper focus. A thesis proposal may start out being vague, but as the student works on the proposal and discusses it with his or her supervisor, the proposal should outline: 

• the topic or the central research question
• the resources from which the topic or research question is drawn, and
• where relevant, the strategies and instruments used for data collection and analysis.

The research conducted for the proposal will be a useful foundation in preparing the thesis. With this in mind, during this proposal writing stage, the student should start “building” what will eventually become footnotes or endnotes, and a full bibliography or list of references. This means taking meticulous notes and keeping track of the author, title, place and date of publication, and any relevant page numbers in works consulted.

Where appropriate, it is helpful to outline in the proposal the actual papers that will be submitted should the work proceed as planned, including authorships in the case of collaborative projects. This will give the student and the supervisor a clear idea of responsibilities and expectations.

The student may have to present the proposal formally as part of the approval process. This is an opportunity to sharpen the student's focus and to set out exactly how he or she intends to proceed.

Some research projects require other approvals such as ethical clearances. The thesis supervisor should know what approvals are required and how they can be obtained, but the student is ultimately responsible for obtaining these approvals.

Topic registration arrow_drop_down

The topic of the thesis is to be determined in consultation with the student's research supervisor.  

From the  uoZone  Application tab, click Candidate Center to create a service request and register your thesis topic.

Work plan arrow_drop_down

The work plan should include realistic target dates for all the major milestones. Students should show their thesis supervisor a work plan as soon as possible. This will help ensure that the student has not forgotten anything, and give the student a sense of whether his or her expectations about turnaround time and feedback are feasible for the supervisor. Once the student and supervisor have discussed and agreed on the work plan, the student should give the supervisor a copy. Information supplements are at the student's disposal to help them prepare their work plan.

Components of a work plan

The work plan, at a minimum should include at least ballpark dates for these:

• narrowing down the thesis topic
• beginning the research
• completing the field work, the mining of sources, or the experimental part or the data collection
• coming up with at least a rough thesis outline at a point appropriate to the topic and discipline
• completing most of your research
• where relevant, drafting and submitting each chapter to the thesis supervisor
• where relevant, receiving feedback on each chapter submitted
• submitting a completed first draft to the supervisor
• hearing back from the supervisor after the student submits the completed first draft
• doing changes that the student and supervisor have agreed on
• providing the last version of the thesis to the supervisor for approval before submission of the thesis
• submitting articles to journals
• presenting research at conferences
• submitting the completed thesis
• defending the thesis (some master's programs do not require an oral defence)

Research arrow_drop_down

By the time the candidate becomes a graduate student, he or she should know quite a bit about writing papers even though the sheer size of the thesis project makes a difference. The supervisor will help, but any student embarking on a thesis should also read up independently on how to research and write a thesis.  The style guide appropriate to the student's discipline will include tips on research, the mechanics of writing, and citing sources properly.

Improving skills

The students will need to use their research, writing and oral presentation skills to complete their thesis. They will improve in all these areas with practice. If a candidate lacks confidence in any of the skills necessary for success, he or she should speak to the thesis supervisor about training courses that may be offered at the University to address what they perceive as shortcomings in the required abilities. Avail of the  Academic Writing Help Centre’s (AWHC)  resources about the mechanics of writing.

Literature review

The purpose of a literature review is to demonstrate the student’s knowledge of, and ability to synthesize, major aspects of the scholarly literature of the field in which the student’s thesis is situated. The review also helps the reader to place the student’s work in its context. As a finished product, the literature review shows that the student is familiar with the literature pertinent to his topic; shows the importance of his decision to conduct research and write on the topic with the approach chosen; explores what has been written on the topic and by whom; and, explores what the literature tells, what it does not tell, and why both of these are important for his topic.

The scope of the literature review must be broader than the topic of the student’s thesis. It must cover the major scholarly contributions to the field of study in which the student’s thesis is situated.

Narrow down your topic

The students should discuss potential topics with the supervisor and colleagues, and think carefully about the feasibility of the topic in relation to the number and complexity of the experiments required, the lab equipment required, their knowledge of the different related fields, the extent of the reading required, and the accessibility of the books or items to be studied. 

Get approvals

As already discussed, the students have to obtain all the necessary approvals for your thesis topic. In addition to ethics and other approvals, a student who plans to travel abroad to do research must investigate possible international travel restrictions. Depending on the country in which the research will be conducted, students should check with the  Office of Risk Management and uOInternational before making plans to do research abroad.

Research: collect and analyze data

When researching the topic, or collecting and analyzing data, the student should read as widely as possible and take meticulous notes identifying each source. They should also sharpen their focus as they go, if necessary, and keep developing and refining their thesis outlines.

Hints on note-taking and proper referencing

Writing arrow_drop_down

Depending on the discipline and topic, the student may finish all their research and then begin writing, or they may move back and forth between research and writing.

It is important to know when it is time to stop researching and start writing. The students should give themselves time to develop ideas, but recognize real procrastination and try to avoid it.

When the students start writing, they shouldn't get stuck on the introduction. The thesis will have a linear structure in the end, but that doesn’t mean it starts out that way. The student should get as much written as they can. Then they can really start to work with it. Since writing is a way of thinking, in some disciplines the students may have to write all the way to the end of a section before they arrive at what they really want to say—at that point they may move the end to the beginning and start again.

A cademic Writing Help Centre (AWHC)

Revision arrow_drop_down

The students should expect to have to make revisions to what they have already written, either as a result of their own analyses of the ideas, structure and organization of the paper or as a result of feedback from others. Revision as a result of feedback is an important part of writing a thesis and good practice—in many workplaces, revision as a result of feedback is part of the job.

Editing arrow_drop_down

There are many kinds of editing the student might have to do to their thesis. These range from relatively superficial proofreading and copy editing for spelling and typographical errors to more substantive edits that get at the heart of the paper and border on revision—reorganizing sections, for example.

It is possible to seek professional proofreading assistance by hiring an editor. Students should always consult their thesis supervisor before seeking services of professional proofreaders /editors . In such case s , the student is entirely responsible for the cost of services rendered by the editor. It is the student ’s responsibility to accept, decline or challenge the advice and corrections suggested by a proofreader.  Students must formally acknowledge the use of a proofreader in the final submitted version of the thesis.

Beyond the basic steps outlined above, how the student proceeds with the research and writing will depend a lot on the chosen discipline, the topic and the student's personal style.

Academic Writing Help Center (AWHC)

Thesis seminar arrow_drop_down

Some academic units require a student to lead a seminar on the thesis topic towards the end of the thesis preparation period usually a couple of months before the thesis defence. Fellow students, supervisors, members of the thesis committee and other members of the academic unit often attend.

In some cases, students present their research within a seminar course, usually referred to as a research seminar. This seminar provides an ideal forum for a student to discuss the thesis and to practice for the upcoming defence.

The student should check with his or her thesis supervisor and academic unit to see whether this is possible or required in the chosen program.

Also, the students should attend seminars given by other students in the chosen program or in other programs. This way, they can get a realistic idea of what will be expected. They should also attend or present at the annual interdisciplinary conference organized by the Graduate Student’s Association (GSAÉD) at the University of Ottawa.

Learn about thesis types

Master thesis arrow_drop_down.

A master’s thesis must show that the student is able to work in a scholarly manner and is acquainted with the principal works published on the subject of the thesis. As much as possible, it should be an original contribution. Some disciplines require that the thesis be of publishable quality. There is an oral examination for a master’s thesis, in the presence of examiners, if that is a program requirement.  Some master’s programs do not require an oral examination for the thesis.

Doctoral thesis arrow_drop_down

A doctoral thesis must make a significant contribution to knowledge in a field of study, embody the results of original investigation and analysis, and be of such quality as to merit publication.

A doctoral thesis may build upon and continue the work done by a student in his or her master’s thesis, but must go significantly beyond the master’s thesis and be substantially different from that thesis. There is an oral examination for a doctoral thesis, in presence of examiners.

Thesis formats

Monograph thesis arrow_drop_down.

The monograph thesis is the most usual form in the humanities and social sciences and it resembles a non-fiction book in that it deals in depth with a particular topic.

Monograph components

Thesis as a series of articles arrow_drop_down

A significant number of thesis, especially in the sciences, engineering and medicine, consist of a series of articles or, very rarely, a single article. Each individual academic unit decides which format is suitable for its discipline, so before the student embarks on the thesis, he or she should check with the academic unit to see what format is accepted.

Components of a thesis in a series of articles (see C-7.3)

Non-traditional thesis arrow_drop_down

It is the responsibility of each program to determine what non-traditional thesis forms are acceptable.

Components of a non-traditional thesis (see C-7.3)

Additional information

Ethics and collaboration arrow_drop_down.

If the research embodied in the article or articles required approval of an ethics board or was part of a collaboration, this must be spelled out in a preface. In this preface or statement, the student must indicate what ethics approvals were secured and give a detailed account of the contributions of collaborators and/or co-authors which clearly distinguishes the contributions of this student from those of all other collaborators or co-authors, and identifies in detail all other contributions.

Copyright arrow_drop_down

The student must get permission to use copyrighted material from any co-authors as well as from publishers.

Thesis toolbox

Graduate Research: Theses & Dissertations: Getting Started & Planning

• Getting Started & Planning
• Research Integrity
• Literature Review
• Data & Analysis
• Writing a Thesis / Dissertation
• Academic Publishing of Your Research
• Your Scholarly Identity
• Presenting Your Work
• UW Resources
• Graduate Students' Guide to the Library (Guide) This link opens in a new window

Graduate Research = Building Advanced Information Skills

Graduate research and the process of writing a thesis or dissertation involves honing advanced skills in managing information: gathering and organizing information, analyzing information, synthesizing information, creating information, sharing information, and communicating or teaching information.  This requires many specialized skills, often discipline specific, as well as generalized work productivity skills such as time management, team building, and stress management.  This research guide is designed to lead you to general resources that may help you in your learning process as a graduate student and support your success.

Find resources to get started on this page, then navigate to additional resources using the tabs above, or click a link to a topic area below:

• Understand your responsibilities for Research Integrity and avoiding research misconduct
• Find guidance for conducting your Literature Review
• Peruse resources for managing Data & Analysis
• Explore tips and tools to help in Writing a Thesis / Dissertation
• Consider Academic Publishing of Your Research in an academic journal, university press book, or another academic format
• Establish Your Scholarly Identity with author identifiers
• Find Tips for Presenting Your Work at professional conferences
• Take advantage of other UW Resources to support your graduate studies
• Link to the Graduate Students' Guide to the Library

Research Process

• Project Planner (from Sage Research Methods) Content describing steps in the research process. Jump to any of the stages or subtopics as needed.

Exploring Research Ideas

• Where Can I Get Ideas for My Thesis or Dissertation Topic? Tips for deciding on a research topic (from ProQuest).

Dissertation (& Thesis) eLearning from ProQuest

• Module 1: Getting Started on Your Thesis or Dissertation
• Module 2: Efficient Discovery and Research Curation
• Module 3: Developing a Productive Writing Plan

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

An Individual Development Plan is a good way to reflect on your interests and develop career goals.  This is best done in collaboration with your faculty advisor or mentor, but can be done by yourself.  Some research funding agencies, such as NIH and NSF, encourage use of IDPs for graduate students and post-doctoral scholars.  Here are a few resources to help you get started creating an IDP. 

• myIDP: Science Careers
• American Psychological Association's Resource for Individual Development Plans
• ImaginePhD (for Humanities & Social Sciences)

eBooks / Guides

Blog on Research & Writing

• The Thesis Whisperer Written by Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at The Australian National University. Topics especially helpful for Ph.D. students, but useful for any researcher.

Related Research Guides

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Ask a Librarian

Library search/retrieval options.

UW Libraries QuickSearch: includes the collections of the University Libraries, UW Law Library, and the American Heritage Center.

Prospector : a unified catalog of twenty-three academic, public and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. UW students, faculty and staff can borrow materials from Prospector.

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Graduate Studies

Completing your masters degree – thesis.

Your first step regarding any questions with respect to writing your thesis is to  consult the  School of Graduate Studies’ Guide for the Preparation of Master’s and Doctoral Theses . All graduate theses must conform to the style and form requirements as detailed in the Guide.

Step 1. Write

Need help? If you have any questions or need assistance, please email [email protected].

1. Sample formats

Please consult the Guide for the Preparation of Theses for samples on how to format your thesis.

2. Referencing

Per the Guide for the Preparation of Theses: The text of the standard graduate thesis consists of the Introduction section or chapter, followed by several well-defined sections or chapters, which contain the research results, finishing with a Conclusion and Discussion section or chapter, or a summary statement of the results of the investigation. The List of References section (or bibliography) follows the text, and any appendices follow this.

Please consult the Guide for the Preparation of Theses for more detailed information on references and further resources that you can consult for referencing help.

3. Sandwich theses

If some of the research undertaken expressly for the degree has previously been published or prepared by the student as one or more journal articles, or parts of books, those items may be included within the thesis subject to the School of Graduate Studies’ regulations and to obtaining permission from the supervisory committee.

Please consult the Guide for the Preparation Theses – download via Quick Links to the right – for more detailed information on Sandwich Theses.

4. E-Thesis file name conventions

For your e-thesis to be published via MacSphere, the final version of your thesis should be named using the following file naming convention:

familyname_firstname_middleinitial_finalsubmissionyearmonth_degree

5. iThenticate - Plagiarism Checking Software

Effective December 1, 2023, all graduate students who initiate their defence on or after this date, are required to have their thesis run through McMaster’s plagiarism checking software, iThenticate.

iThenticate is a similarity detection tool meant to be used by researchers to check any original works that will be publicly released and who are concerned about potential plagiarism.

According to McMaster’s Research Plagiarism Checking Policy , it is expected that all graduate theses, shall be checked for plagiarism in compliance with this policy. Plagiarism checking is expected to occur prior to the coordination of the defence. Supervisors of Master’s students will need to sign a separate attestation sheet indicating that this has occurred and the document is satisfactory for public disclosure.

Your pre-defence thesis must be uploaded to iThenticate by your primary supervisor before you can initiate your Masters defence.

To protect graduate students’ privacy, only academic supervisors will have access to this software and will be responsible for uploading their student’s theses. It should not be used to check documents submitted to instructors as course assignments.

Step 2. Defend

Before initiating your defence, you should confirm with your supervisor and committee members if applicable, that you are ready to initiate. Your supervisor must also sign a separate attestation sheet prior to initiation, indicating that they have run your thesis through iThenticate and it is satisfactory for public disclosure. Once this is done, contact your department to confirm the program’s defence process. After a successful defence, the chair of the examination committee will inform you of thesis changes required by examiners. After all changes have been made, you must submit this completed form to the School of Graduate Studies for your final submission to be published to MacSphere.

Thesis Defence Submission

You can now check supervisor(s) and academic plan(s)

If any of this information is incorrect, you should contact to your program office before proceeding.

Date and time

For dates and deadlines for defence and upcoming convocation ceremonies please refer to the Dates and Deadlines .

This step allows you to propose a date, time and location. This information will be confirmed by your program office, as they will receive notification after you have completed this process.

Please note your thesis title is required, but you can also add an abstract at this stage.

Please be aware after submission, your program office will assist you with the rest of the process and you should contact them to ensure that all arrangements have been put in place for your defence.

Review and submit

You will be given an opportunity to review before submission. Once you have submitted you will receive a confirmation email that you have successfully initiated the process.

Initiation of Masters defence process

Select My Academics in the Academic tab.

Submission of Intent to initiate a Masters defence

Please consult with your department to see if they require that you initiate a Master’s Defence in Mosaic. All departments will need you to contact your Graduate Administrator to let them know you plan on defending your Master’s thesis. SGS does not require that you initiate a Master’s Defence in Mosaic but your department may have a different requirement. All PhD Defences MUST be initiated in Mosaic.

If your department requires that you initiate

You should select – Thesis Intent – Defend Thesis

This selection is only possible if you are enrolled a research plan type. If the student needs to switch to a research plan type, you should submit a service request for a plan change before initiating the thesis defence process.

Step 3. Submit

Please note that your degree requirements are considered complete when one electronic copy of the thesis, revised as directed by your defence examining committee, is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies through the E-Thesis Submission module in MacSphere.

Final thesis checklist

• ONE electronic copy of the thesis, revised as recommended by the Thesis Examining Committee and approved by the Supervisor/Examining Committee
• A standard 10-12 point font has been used
• TOP and LEFT margins should be 3.8 cm, and RIGHT and BOTTOM margins should be 2.5 cm
• Half-title page
• Descriptive note
• Abstract of 300 words or less
• All preliminary pages are numbered in lower case Roman numerals
• All pages must be numbered. The main body of the thesis, including text, bibliography and appendices, must be numbered continuously using Arabic numerals.

If you have not already done so, please submit the following forms to your department’s graduate administrator. They will submit them to the School of Graduate Studies on your behalf. Your final submission will not be considered complete without this documentation.

• Final Thesis Submission Sheet
• Copyright Permission Form
• Library and Archives Canada Licence (PhD only)
• McMaster University Licence

If you have completed all of the above requirements, you are ready to submit to your thesis.

E-thesis process

• Submit your electronic thesis to MacSphere . Please follow the link and click on ‘Sign on to my MacSphere’ to deposit your thesis. Ensure your thesis is uploaded as a pdf document. Any supporting material can be uploaded in various formats.
• E-thesis file name conventions. For your e-thesis to be published via MacSphere, the final version of your thesis should be named using the following file naming convention:

familyname_firstname_middleinitial_finalsubmissionyearmonth_degree.pdf

How to submit a thesis to MacSphere

• Go to MacSphere.
• On top/right corner click on Sign onto My MacSphere and log in with your MAC ID.
• Click on Start a New Submission .
• Select Collection: Open Access Dissertations and Theses , and click on Manual Submission to begin submitting your dissertation.
• Complete the submission screens as prompted. Once you click on I Grant The License your dissertation will be submitted to SGS for processing.

Links to e-theses in MacSphere are available through a variety of tools. The contents of MacSphere are Google indexed, bringing McMaster scholarship to the attention of a broad range of users. Automated tools will continue to integrate e-theses with other print and electronic library resources in both the local catalogue and integrated catalogues, such as WorldCat.

Theses in physical formats have historically been low-use library materials, however digitized theses are receiving higher usage. Site statistics for theses currently available in McMaster’s MacSphere show several each month are downloaded more than 100 times and many others have multiple downloads.

Embargoed or withheld theses

Embargoed status is intended to protect rights for immediate commercial publication, to obtain a patent which may rise from the research, or as a result of any contract made with a third party. The student may request a postponement of digital publication for up to one year at the time of thesis submission to MacSphere – all such requests are automatically granted. Students who would like to extend this initial period of postponement must apply to the thesis coordinator who will forward the request to the Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies for determination of whether further publication postponement is warranted. This request must include a full description of why the additional delay is requested and what steps have been taken to address the issues that required the initial delay. No delay of publication more than two years from the initial submission will be permitted.

Please note that you and your supervisor must both sign the delay of publication area on your Final Thesis Submission Sheet. For more information, consult the School of Graduate Studies Calendar .

E-thesis binding

If you choose to have your thesis bound, binding service is available through  pageforpage.com . Via their website, you can print, bind and send your thesis where you wish. However, this is only an option; you may use any binding service that you prefer.

Optional Bound Copies – Should the supervisor and/or department require one or more bound paper copies of your thesis, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain and distribute these bound copies.

Apart from these considerations, the general guidelines for thesis production should be followed.

• Graduate Programs
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What is a Thesis? Everything You Need to Know about a Graduate Thesis

If you’re looking into graduate school, you may have read about graduate thesis requirements. In today’s blog, we’re giving you the rundown of what a graduate thesis is and whether you need to complete a thesis at Emerson . 

What is a graduate thesis?

A graduate thesis is a capstone project that demonstrates what a student has learned in graduate school. Some programs require students to conduct research for their thesis, while others may require a creative project. Regardless of what form it takes, a graduate thesis is a substantial project that showcases your ability to do independent, graduate-level work.

At Emerson, a graduate thesis can take multiple forms and might be optional, depending on your program. You may have the option to complete research, write a creative manuscript, or complete a film or other creative project as a graduate student at Emerson. 

Regardless of what format your thesis takes, students are expected to submit some form of academic or creative writing as part of their thesis. 

For a research thesis, this written submission will take the form of an academic research paper that presents your research question and findings. Programs at Emerson offering a research thesis track are:

• Communication Disorders
• Publishing and Writing
• Theatre Education & Applied Theatre 

If your thesis is a piece of creative writing, such as a novel or collection of poems, your manuscript will count as the written portion of your thesis. You would complete this type of thesis in the following programs:

• Creative Writing
• Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing

For a film or creative project as a thesis, the written portion of your thesis would include an explanation of your work and what purpose it serves within your field of study. These are the programs in which you might complete this type of thesis:

• Media Design
• Film and Media Art
• Writing for Film and Television
• Publishing and Writing 
• Theatre Education & Applied Theatre

Do I have to complete a thesis as part of graduate school?

It depends! Some of Emerson’s graduate programs don’t even offer thesis options, and many offer optional thesis opportunities. Only a handful of our programs require a thesis. 

The following programs at Emerson require students to complete a graduate thesis:

• Students complete a design book that includes a literature review, creative portfolio, media design for a specific organization’s need, and plan for continued work with the partner organization.
• Students complete a film or multimedia installation project as their thesis. They must also write an academic paper about their project.
• Students in this program complete at least 100 pages of a near-publishable novel. The novel can fall within any genre, from mystery to science fiction to romance. Along with the manuscript, students also write a 3-4 page synopsis of their thesis.
• Students submit a near-publishable manuscript in one of three categories: fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. Page requirements vary based upon the genre in which students are writing. 
• Students in this program complete a screenwriting thesis project. Generally, students can choose between writing a feature length screenplay, two pilot screenplays, or one pilot screenplay for a mini-series plus Treatment for Series that includes a summary for the other episodes in the series. 
• In the MA track of the Theatre Education & Applied Theatre program, students write a research paper about a topic that interests them. The research must be about a topic within the theatre education or applied theatre fields.
• Students in the MFA track of this program complete a two-part thesis, consisting of a thesis project and thesis paper. The thesis project is an opportunity to gain experience in the field of theatre education and/or applied theatre. For example, students could direct a play or design and implement their own curriculum as a thesis project. Students can either complete the thesis project independently or collaborate with 1-2 other MFA students for the project. Each student also completes a thesis paper, which is a critical reflection on the thesis project. 

For other programs, completing a thesis is optional.

The following Emerson graduate programs offer optional thesis tracks:

• Theatre Education & Applied Theatre, MA

Where do I start with a thesis?

The prospect of completing an entire research study or creative project yourself can be daunting, but Emerson faculty support students throughout the thesis process. While graduate theses are largely self-directed, each thesis student receives support and guidance from a thesis advisor. 

Usually, the thesis advisor is a faculty member within the student’s graduate program who has interest in or experience with the student’s thesis topic. The process of finding a thesis advisor varies slightly from program to program, but the advisor will schedule periodic check-ins with their thesis students, offering advice and support as needed. A graduate thesis is the student’s responsibility, but students are not alone in the process!

What are the benefits of completing a graduate thesis?

Having a graduate thesis under your belt can help set you apart as someone who is capable of self-directing large projects or research. This is helpful when you’re looking for work after graduation, or if you’re applying to PhD programs or want to work in research. 

Additionally, completing a creative project for your graduate thesis is a means for students to get their work recognized. For students in our writing MFAs, the thesis requirement gives them a polished, near-publishable manuscript that they can use to query agents after graduation. Students completing a film or media art project for their thesis will leave graduate school with a professional-level piece of work to showcase. Whether it’s a manuscript, film, or other creative project, completing a creative thesis in graduate school gives students material they can use to establish themselves in their field after graduation. 

Lastly, a graduate thesis is an excellent way to grow and challenge yourself. Whether you’re writing a novel, completing a research study, or creating a marketing design for a company, a graduate thesis will challenge you to get outside of your comfort zone. You’ll try new things and learn through your mistakes, all of which will help you grow both personally and academically.

We hope today’s blog has made the thesis process at Emerson a bit clearer. If you still have questions about graduate theses at Emerson, be sure to schedule a call with someone from our admissions team. To get an idea of what kinds of theses Emerson students complete, check out our Project Spotlight blog page. 

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Olivia Wachtel

Writing Assistant

Olivia is a second-year student in Emerson's Communication Disorders MS program. Originally from Ohio, she is loving Emerson and city life. When she's not writing for the Grad Life blog, she loves to read, bake, and crochet.

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• Demystifying the Terms and Degree Titles in Higher Education - April 23, 2024
• Page Turner Magazine: A Space for Genre Writers to Flourish - March 26, 2024
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• Graduate School
• Current Students
• Dissertation & Thesis Preparation

Structure and Style of Theses and Dissertations

Each student and their supervisory committee should work together to determine the scholarly scope and most appropriate structure of the thesis, keeping in mind scholarly standards within their fields and professional objectives of the student.

As forms of scholarship continue to evolve, so do the possibilities for how a body of scholarly work can be expressed. Theses at UBC can include many forms of knowledge production and scholarly representation. Some examples are:

• a fully unified textual volume, similar to a scholarly book
• a series of published or publication-ready manuscripts with synthesis
• inclusion of scholarly professional artefacts such as policy papers or curriculum plans, for example, along with description and analysis
• a compendium of multimedia works with written description and analysis

Within this flexibility of structure, there remain several elements that must be included in each thesis or dissertation, and specifications to be followed, in order to enable consistent standards and proper archiving.

In addition to the preliminary materials described below, all theses should include an introduction to the subject, a critical analysis of the relevant prior scholarly work, a description of the scholarly methods, a presentation of the results, and a discussion and summary of the results and their implications. Knowledge dissemination products or modes can be incorporated as appropriate.

As appropriate, representation of the research results or methodologies may take a variety of forms, including scholarly publications or submissions (manuscripts), scholarly text, creative text, graphics, audio/visual products, or web pages,  Additional knowledge translation or dissemination products or descriptions of activities can be incorporated, such as policy briefs, lay or professional publications, syllabi, or outlines of workshops or exhibits.

Every thesis will have a PDF component that includes at least the following elements:

• Committee page
• Lay summary
• Table of contents, and/or a List of all submitted files (if there are files in addition to the PDF)

1. Title page (required)

2. committee page (required).

The committee page:

• is the second page of the thesis and is numbered ii
• lists all examining committee members and supervisory committee members, along with their titles, departments, and universities or organizations
• does not include signatures
• is not listed in the table of contents

See Resources for Thesis Preparation and Checking for examples and templates.

Doctoral students: Please include this page in the copy for the External Examiner, with your supervisory committee entered. If you know which members of the committee will be on the Examining Committee you can include them there; otherwise, they can go under Additional Supervisory Committee Members.

Doctoral students post-defence: Please remember to update the committee page before final post-defence submission if necessary.

3. Abstract (required - maximum 350 words)

The abstract is a concise and accurate summary of the scholarly work described in the document. It states the problem, the methods of investigation, and the general conclusions, and should not contain tables, graphs, complex equations, or illustrations. There is a single scholarly abstract for the entire work, and it must not exceed 350 words in length.

4. Lay Summary (required - maximum 150 words)

The lay or public summary is a simplified version of the abstract that explains the key goals and contributions of the research/scholarly work in terms that can be understood by the general public. it does not use technical terms and discipline-specific language. It must not exceed 150 words in length.

5. Preface (required)

Sample Prefaces

The Preface includes a statement indicating the student's contribution to the following:

• Identification of the research question(s)
• Design of the research work
• Performance of the research
• Analysis of the research results

If any of the work was collaborative, the above statement must also detail the relative contributions of all collaborators, including the approximate proportion of the research, analysis, and writing/representation conducted by the student.

If any of the work has led to any publications, submissions, or other dissemination modes, all should be listed in the Preface. For publications, the title of the article, the names and order of all co-authors, and the journal details (if accepted or published) should be included, and linked to the related chapter or portion of the thesis. For further details, see “Including Published Material in a Thesis or Dissertation”.

If any of the work is intended for publication but has not yet been published, you may say whether or not it has been submitted. Do not say where it has been submitted, as if it is not accepted for publication that information will be misleading.

If the work includes other scholarly artifacts (such as film and other audio, visual, and graphic representations, and application-oriented documents such as policy briefs, curricula, business plans, computer and web tools, pages, and applications, etc.) that have been published or otherwise publicly disseminated or that have co-authors, they must be listed in the Preface (with bibliographical information, including information on co-creators, if applicable).

If ethics approval was required for the research, the Preface must list the Certificate Number(s) of the Ethics Certificate(s) applicable to the project.

In a thesis where the research was not subject to ethics review, produced no publications, and was designed, carried out, and analyzed by the student alone, the text of the Preface may be very brief. Samples are available on this website and in the University Library's online repository of accepted theses.

The content of the Preface must be verified by the student's supervisor, whose endorsement must appear on the final Thesis/Dissertation Approval form.

Acknowledgements, introductory material, and a list of publications do not belong in the Preface. Please put them respectively in the Acknowledgements section, the first section of the thesis, and the appendices.

6. Table of contents (required)

7. list of tables (required if document has tables), 8. list of figures (required if document has figures), 9. list of submitted files (required if additional files are submitted with the pdf), 10. list of illustrations (advisable if applicable).

If you remove copyrighted tables, figures, or illustrations from your thesis you must insert the following at the spot where the table, figure, or illustration previously appeared:

• A statement that the material has been removed because of copyright restrictions
• A description of the material and the information it contained, plus a link to an online source if one is available
• A full citation of the original source of the material

See the UBC Library Copyright Educational Resources: Theses and Dissertations Guide “ Unable to get Permission? ”

11. Lists of symbols, abbreviations or other (advisable if applicable)

12. glossary (optional), 13. acknowledgements (optional).

This may include statements acknowledging support and contributions from various sources, including the student’s research supervisor and committee, research participants, colleagues, friends, and family members. IMPORTANT : Please ensure that everyone you mention in your Acknowledgements understands and accepts that their name will be appearing online in an open-access document.

Any funding for the research should be listed here.

14. Dedication (optional)

15-17. thesis body: introduction, research chapters, conclusion (usually required unless the thesis consists only of multimedia).

This contains the comprehensive contextualization, methods, findings, analysis and implications of the scholarly work. These components can be organized and expressed in a manner that the student and their supervisory committee deems to be most appropriate to the work, to the student and their objectives, and to the relevant disciplines.

In many cases the thesis will be organized in chapters, while for others (especially those including creative and/or other modes of expression) it may take different forms. The different elements should be divided appropriately (and indicated as such in the Table of Contents) to enable ease of review. The thesis should be presented in a manner that enables a cohesive understanding of the work and which is credible within the field. In all cases, certain elements are required:

Introductory content.  This must clearly state its theme, topics, hypotheses and/or goals and provide sufficient background information to enable a non-specialist in the subject matter to understand them. It must contextualize the topic and questions within a thorough review of relevant literature and/or other foundational scholarship

Research/Scholarship methodologies, findings, products.  The account and products of the scholarly work should be complete and sufficiently detailed to enable a reader to understand how the work was carried out and analyzed, and how to apply similar methods in another study.

Analysis and summary content.  This should include a reflective analysis of the scholarly findings and/or products, integrated into the context of the thesis subject to demonstrate how the thesis leads to new understandings and contributions. The work’s potential (or actual) impact, its limitations, and its significance should be outlined.

18. Bibliography (mandatory except for MFA and MMUS)

There must be only one Bibliography or References section for the whole thesis.

19. Appendices (Optional)

These consist of supporting material that is not integral to the understanding of the work and/or easily incorporated into the thesis body, potentially including additional methodological details or data, copies of surveys used, etc. They must be referred to in the document.

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Tips for Completing the Master's Thesis or Project

Students in selected Master’s programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition and ability to select, organize and apply knowledge through a thesis. “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” as developed and enhanced by the Graduate Faculty of Jackson State University, provides examples of best practices concerning format standards that must be met before it receives final approval by the Division of Graduate Studies. This unit highlights items from Chapter 3: Technical Details. It is not meant to replace the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Project”. Each student should obtain a copy of the “ Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s  Thesis” for full details.

Initial Steps

• Preliminary Items

Approval Process

Closing Comments

• Responsibilities

Sample Pages

1. Thesis/Project Committee Approval Form ( Click here for a Committee Approval Form )

• This form is essential for students who are writing a thesis or project. It is established policy that the student selects his/her advisor with consent of the department chair. The advisor assists the student in the formation of a committee of the appropriate number of graduate faculty members. This form documents the constitution of a student’s committee and approval of the student’s research proposal by the student’s committee.
• The signatures of the committee members indicate their willingness to serve on your committee and their approval of the proposal. After all the signatures have been obtained, file this form with the Division of Graduate Studies.
• This form must be filed BEFORE you start your research.

2. Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• If your proposed research involves human subjects, it must be approved by the Jackson State University Institutional Review Board, (IRB).
• If your proposed research involves animals, it must be approved by the JSU Institutional Animal Care and Usage Commitee (IACUC).
• A full explanation of the procedures and Federal Guidelines are available from the JSU Office of Research Compliance.

3. Proposal. The Division of Graduate Studies does not define the content or style for a proposal. Please consult your committee chairperson.

( Return to Contents )

Arrangement of Preliminary Items in the Thesis/Project .

Title Page………….Required……..counted as page “i”, but not numbered. Approval Page……. Required…. …counted as page “ii”, but not numbered. Copyright Page…… Optional…….. no page number. Dedication Page……Optional………no page number. Table of Contents….Required………Must be numbered as page “iii”. List of Tables…….. If needed………Small Roman numeral. List of Figures……..If needed………Small Roman numeral. Acknowledgements..Required………Small Roman numeral Abstract……………Required………counted as page, but not numbered.

• Title Page : This page is assigned the Roman numeral “i”, although the number does not appear. The date used is the month and year of commencement. The page must be spaced EXACTLY as shown in Appendix A of the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines.
• Approval Page : Each copy of the thesis/project must have an approval page using the exact wording and format shown on the sample page in Appendix A of the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines. This sheet must be on the same brand and weight of paper as the remainder of the thesis/project. Although the page may be a copy, THE COMMITTEE SIGNATURES MUST BE ORIGINAL. Black ink is required for the original signatures. (Use of ink of other color will result in the thesis/project being returned.) Approval pages are not numbered.
• Table of Contents : The first page of the Table of Contents must be “iii”. Other pages are numbered consecutively. The page number is centered at the bottom of the page. Chapter or Section Titles, References, Appendix(es) and Vita must be included. Although it is not necessary to include all levels of headings, inclusion must be consistent. If a particular level is included at any point, all headings of that level must be included. This page should have a 2 inch top margin.
• Abstract : The abstract is a brief summary of the problem and the results of the research. The abstract of a thesis/project should be concise review of the work and must not exceed 600 words. This page is numbered for the Table of Contents, but the page number must not appear on the page. This page should have a 2 inch top margin.

(Return to Contents)

Refer to the style manual required by your department for items not discussed in the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines.

• Font – The recommend font is Times Roman, size 12.
• Line Spacing – Standard double spacing is used for the document text. Most style manuals require single spacing for long quotations and bibliographic entries (double spacing should be used between entries).
• Left: 1.5 inches (this allows for binding)
• Right and Bottom: 1 inch
• Top: Start of major section = 2 inches, all other pages = 1 inch.
• The first page of the text section must be ‘1’.
• Pages are numbered consecutively beginning with 1 continuing to the end of the document.
• Page numbers for the start of each Chapter or major section are placed in the center bottom position (1 inch or 7 lines up from the bottom).
• Page numbers for all other pages must be placed one inch (line 7) from the top and even with the right margin.
• No other numbering scheme is acceptable, the standard scheme may not be disrupted with insertions numbered, 10a, 10b, 10c, etc.
• Initial submission of the thesis/project, for review by the Graduate Reader, should be on “regular” paper.
• THESIS: After the corrections of the Graduate Reader are made, the student will submit three (3) unbound copies of the thesis, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper to the Division of Graduate Studies.
• PROJECT: After the corrections of the Graduate Reader are made, the student will submit one (1) spiral bound copy of the project, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper to the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Bibliography/List of References : The format for the citations should be that used by the appropriate style manual for the student’s department.
• Appendix or Appendices : An appendix (or appendixes or appendices), if included, is preceded by a numbered page with the designation centered vertically and horizontally between the margins.
• If IRB approval was required, a copy of YOUR approval letter must be included as an appendix.
• Vita : A vita is written in narrative form or outline form and contains appropriate personal, academic and professional information. It is the last item in the manuscript and appears with no preceding separation page and no page number.
• Timeline : The Division of Graduate Studies issues a calendar each year which indicates the LAST DAY for satisfying all graduation requirements. The Division of Graduate Studies encourages students to submit their manuscripts well be for the deadline. Click here for Dates and Deadlines.
• Scheduling your Defense : The chairperson of the committee for the candidate for the degree, in concurrence with the other members of the committee, shall adhere to the following process. The chairperson will notify the members of the committee, the Department Chair, the Dean of the College, the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and other appropriate persons of the place, date and time of the defense.
• Committee Report of Defense Results   is completed upon the successful defense of the thesis/project before the student’s committee. This form must be submitted prior to the submission of the “ Final Clearance for Graduation ”.
• First Submission : One unbound copy of the thesis/project must be presented to the committee.
• The Committee :The FIRST SUBMISSION will be reviewed to determine format and compliance with the appropriate guidelines from the department’s adopted style manual. The student will be notified if any revisions are necessary, in a timely manner. If revisions of the manuscript are necessary, the student must incorporate the changes and resubmit to the committee.
• THESIS: After the corrections of the committee are made, the student will submit three (3) unbound copies of the thesis, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper. One copy will be place in the JSU Library, one copy will be sent to the department and one copy is for the student.
• PROJECT: After the corrections are made, the student will submit one (1) spiral bound copy of the project, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper. This copy will be place in the JSU Library.

Submission of a thesis/project should not be interpreted as approval. Approval comes only after the document is read and the format reviewed for consistency with guidelines. The final copy of the thesis/project must be acceptable to all members of the committee as witnessed by the signatures on the approval page.

Student’s Responsibility

• Choosing a chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
• Choosing the members of the thesis/project committee in conjunction with the chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
• Meeting with the chairperson and setting a schedule for completion of the thesis/project in a timely manner.
• Keeping on schedule.
• Turning in all thesis/project material to chairperson typed in correct format.
• Knowing and meeting all deadlines.
• Filing all forms in a timely manner.

Committee’s Responsibility : It is the committee members’ responsibility to …

• Attend the prospectus hearing and final defense.
• Read the student’s work throughout the writing process.
• Provide written feedback for correcting and/or improving the thesis/project.

Advisor and Committee’s Responsibility : It is the chairperson’s and committee members’ responsibility to know policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and the major department relative to the thesis/project process.

In addition the chair is also responsible for…

• Ensuring that the student is aware of the rules, regulations and policies of the Division of Graduate Studies and the department.
• Assisting the student in the formation of a committee.
• Meeting with the student on a regular basis.
• Keeping the scheduled appointments.
• Ensuring that the student’s work is properly documented and not plagiarized.
• Scheduling the prospectus hearing, if required, and the final defense of the thesis/project.
• Notifying the committee members and the Department chair of the place, time & date of the prospectus hearing.
• Notifying the Graduate Dean, College Dean, Department chair and committee members of the place, time & date of the final defense.

Department Chair/Program Director’s Responsibility : It is the department chair/program director’s responsibility for knowing and enforcing policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and department/program.

The chair/director is also responsible for…

• Ensuring that the graduate faculty of the department/program know and adhere to the policies, rules and regulations of the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Keeping the faculty abreast of rule, policy and procedure changes from the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Serving as a liaison between the student and the advisor, if necessary.
• Ensuring the thesis/project advisor and all committee members are qualified to serve.

Keep up-to-date with all important dates for the current semester at Jackson State University. If you have any questions about the information listed, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you further.

Division of Graduate Studies 1400 John R. Lynch Street Jackson, MS 39217-0280

Division of Graduate Studies Jackson State University P.O. Box 17095 Jackson, MS  39217

Phone: 601.979.2455

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Thesis and Writing Resources

We are here to help

Graduate Studies provides support, guidance, and oversight to students and faculty through the entire thesis process.  Please contact us if you have questions or need any assistance.

Graduate Research Workshops

Research is an essential part of graduate education.  All graduate students should become knowledgeable about research in their particular fields of study and should engage in the process of conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting their own personal research.  To gain a comprehensive overview of the research process and to gain practical experience and tools for effective research, graduate students are encouraged to attend the Graduate Research Workshops. 

Attendance is highly recommended for graduate students in all disciplines. Register for one or all workshops!  Students who attend the entire series will receive a Graduate Research Certificate .  

All workshops will be offered virtually (via Zoom) and face-to-face (JCKL) in a synchronous format.  

Workshop 1: Uncovering the Research Question/Research Problem

• Overview of academic and professional research
• Applied development of research questions

Click "Register Now" button below to see workshop schedule.

Workshop 2: Resource Investigation/The Literature Review

• In-depth exploration of the elements of the literature review/resource investigation as related to the research problem/question.
• Introduction to the exploratory phase of the literature review.
• Introduction to the various types of broad and focused literature reviews.
• Overview of the chain of information resources and accessing the resources.
• Overview of the types and role of various information sources.

Workshop 3: Plagiarism and Academic Writing

• In-depth exploration of citation styles used within the disciplines
• Application of APA citation style and others to source content

Workshop 4 & 5: Research Methods, Part 1 & 2

• Overview of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research approaches.
• Introduces students to the correlation between the research question/problem statement and the applicable research approaches.

Part 2 - Research Ethics and Data Integrity

• Overview of the role of research ethics and common pitfalls.
• Introduction to IRB, IACUC, and data integrity including the application process.
• Practical experience cleaning a dataset.
• Introduction and intermediate topics related to plagiarism based upon discipline.

   Register Now   

Research and Writing Resources

Research consultation.

Librarians are available for consultation in finding and retrieving literature.  Contact Janette Klein at [email protected]  for more information and to set up an appointment.  

The Writing Center

The Writing Center offers writing instruction for all graduate students at all stages of the writing process.  This is a free service available to all UCM students via walk-ins, appointment, or online.  A specific graduate writing tutor is available to answer questions, perfect citations, provide a fresh perspective, and explore the conventions of academic writing at the graduate-level.  

Location: JCKL 1250, inside the Learning Commons . 

Thesis Resources

Research is an essential part of graduate education. While all graduate students should become knowledgeable about research in their field of study, thesis students engage in the process of conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting their own personal research. The fulfillment of a thesis requirement is a distinct advantage to students who plan to do additional graduate study or to work in certain fields of employment.

A thesis is the result of research, scholarly, or creative activity that gives evidence of independent, critical, and creative investigation. The thesis demonstrates the ability to define and develop a problem; to understand and synthesize relevant literature; to use appropriate data collection methodology; to analyze and interpret data; and to draw reasonable conclusions based on the investigation that integrated the new knowledge into the discipline. This is different from capstone courses, projects, research papers, or other types of culminating experiences which are not reviewed by Graduate Studies and generally not preserved in the library repository. While still maintaining flexibility within program guidelines, the thesis does bear distinct university standards and requirements.

Graduate Student Responsibilities

The pursuit of a graduate degree infers a high degree of initiative on the part of the graduate student. Graduate students assume responsibility for engaging in intellectual activities at the graduate level, as well as responsibility for complying with all policies and procedures as set forth in the Graduate Catalog, in the Thesis Manual, and in college and school regulations.

Faculty Responsibilities

A successful thesis experience requires communication, collaboration, and support from multiple people. While a thesis is an individual research project, it is guided by the expertise of faculty who have knowledge of the discipline, theory, and methodology. Students should reach out to additional individuals as necessary depending upon the specifics of their project. The roles below are identified at UCM.

Thesis Chair -  The chair of the thesis committee is a faculty member with full graduate faculty status and is the primary mentor throughout the thesis process from beginning to end. They guide the student through each step and are there to answer questions, provide feedback, and point them towards other people and information as needed. They ensure regular communication between all and that feedback is being provided to the student. They review the final thesis copy and submit their approval to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. They also submit the final letter grade for the thesis course. It is expected that the thesis chair will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress.

Thesis Committee -  Thesis committee members (typically two) are faculty with either full or associate graduate faculty status (or external to UCM as noted below) and provide additional content and/or methodological expertise to support and supplement the thesis chair and the student. They provide feedback on every draft that they receive, participate in the thesis defense, and ensure the final thesis is of high quality. It is expected that thesis committee members will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress. They submit their approval to the thesis chair.

Upon request, one of the committee members may be from outside the University, such as a retired faculty member, a faculty member from another university, or a professional from the appropriate field. Appointment of an external committee member is subject to approval by the thesis chair and the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. A completed application for an external thesis committee member must be completed before the research is begun in order to have an external member on the thesis committee.

Department/School Chair - The department/school chair reviews the defense thesis and provides a quality check to ensure that the research project meets university expectations. It is expected that the department/school chair will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress. They may submit their approval to the thesis chair or via the Thesis Transmittal Form.

Graduate Studies - The Graduate Studies office provides oversight of the entire thesis process from beginning to end and ensures quality and university wide consistency. They provide the structure and the guidance to all involved and are ultimately responsible for all thesis requirements being met. Graduate Studies reviews the prospectus, the defense thesis, the final thesis, and then authorizes approval of the final thesis on the degree audit (simply as completed or not completed).  Graduate Studies is available to answer questions, offers support as needed, and provides timely and immediate feedback.

Thesis Workshop

Thesis workshops are open to all students and faculty in order to learn about the process from start to finish. This includes a review of steps in completing a thesis, formatting guidelines, review of the thesis manual, writing resources, research funding, and time for Q&A. These presentations are scheduled at least twice every semester. While students and faculty are welcome to attend at any stage in their program, we encourage earlier rather than later. You are also welcome to attend multiple times for a refresher.

Graduate Studies will also accommodate students and faculty that would like to schedule individual, small group, or class presentations around your schedules upon request.

Thesis Manual

The Thesis Manual provides the instructions and the precise formatting requirements for all theses. Please be sure to follow the manual as you prepare your submission.

A properly formatted Microsoft Word template is provided below for faculty and students to utilize.

UCM Thesis Template 

Students not as familiar with Microsoft Word may have questions about certain features in order to meet the formatting requirements. Below are instructions for some of the most frequently asked questions.

Page Numbers: Section breaks

Table of Contents: Tab stops, leader dots, and alignment

Prospectus Template

As a matter of best practice and in order to set the groundwork for a successful thesis, all students begin with the development of a prospectus or a similar type of document as identified by the program. Following acceptance by the thesis chair the student must submit the finished prospectus to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. The precise timeline for the completion of the prospectus is determined by the thesis chair and the program. However, at the latest this needs to be completed prior to conducting research.

The thesis prospectus is a plan on what the student wishes to research before conducting the research. It typically includes a draft abstract, overview, start of a literature review, and brief methods section. While a template is provided on the Graduate Studies website, thesis chairs may modify prospectus requirements to fit program needs. The student should follow the guidelines as set forth by their thesis chair. The prospectus serves as the official agreement between the student and the thesis committee and although changes may take place throughout the research process, it does reflect a well thought out plan.

Most programs use the prospectus as a prerequisite for enrollment in the thesis course. Students in programs that have a different process should work with their thesis chair for enrollment assistance.

UCM Thesis Prospectus Template

Be sure you are logged in to your UCM student Google account:

• Determination of Research  and other IRB, and IACUC forms and materials from the  Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Integrity
• External Thesis Committee Member
• Library Electronic Thesis / Research Paper (ETRP) Release Form ( pdf / docx ) - Publication agreement for inclusion of the thesis in the library digital repository.
• Transmittal Form  - Used by students to submit materials throughout the process: prospectus, defense thesis, final thesis, as well as accompanying documents. Thesis chairs also complete this form to provide their approval. The form requires that you are logged in to your active UCM Google account.

Thesis Binding

UCM no longer prints, binds, nor stores physical copies of final theses. However, students who wish to do so for their own use, for family, or to gift to faculty, may contact any of the companies below:

• Acme Binding
• Houchen Bindery
• Thesis on Demand

Submission, Approval, and Acceptance Overview and Timeline

A thorough content and format review is completed on every thesis through a collaboration between your Thesis Committee and the staff in Graduate Studies. Final approval of the thesis is sent to the registrar by Graduate Studies to fulfill this graduation requirement on the degree audit.

Submissions will be reviewed in the order received. Depending upon the number it may take up to a week to review each submission and provide a reply.

Your thesis committee and Graduate Studies will attempt to work with you year round, regardless of semester beginning and end dates, until your thesis is completed and approved. However, if you have a specific semester that you are hoping to finish by then there are specific timelines to be aware of. Failure to follow the deadlines and timeline below may delay your graduation to a subsequent semester.

Active student status is required in order to maintain access to faculty, advisor support, graduate program guidance, library resources, electronic accounts, university research facilities, and other resources. This may be fulfilled by continuing enrollment in additional credit hours of thesis or in additional graduate-level course as guided by the graduate program coordinator. Or upon approval from the thesis chair, a student can be enrolled in GRAD 5001- Continuous Enrollment to maintain active enrollment (please contact the Graduate Studies Office for more information).  University faculty and staff shall not work with thesis students that are not currently enrolled. Additionally, if a student fails to enroll in coursework and more than one year has lapsed the student must submit an application for readmission to the program before they may return. 

Submission of Prospectus and IRB Approval

All students must work with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity (OSPRI) and then submit the appropriate approval letter to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. This letter must be sent to Graduate Studies as soon as it is received by the student and before conducting research.

If the thesis involves human subjects or animals the student must submit the proper forms for the human subjects review process or to the institutional animal care and use committee. OSPRI review and official approval must be obtained before conducting research.

If the thesis does not involve human subjects or animals the student must submit the Determination of Research (DOR) form. OSPRI review and official approval must be obtained before conducting research. Students may not self-determine.

The prospectus and the appropriate OSPRI response letter should be submitted from your student UCM Google account to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form . 

Due prior to conducting research

Submission of defense thesis.

In order to ensure the successful completion of a thesis, all students must submit the defense thesis to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form.

A defense is scheduled when the thesis chair believes the thesis is done and it is time for the student to present their findings. The defense thesis is the near final paper that is 99% complete and only requires minor edits. It is the version that is provided to the thesis committee members and the department/school chair before the defense. To ensure a complete approach to thesis review, quality assurance, and proper formatting, Graduate Studies will provide feedback on this paper. For easier editing it is preferred that this be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

After Graduate Studies reviews the thesis, a copy with suggested corrections will be sent back to the student and thesis chair for final editing.

The defense thesis should be submitted from your student Google account  to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form . 

Recommended due date: 5 p.m. on the Monday before finals week. Thesis chairs may set a different due date.

Thesis defense.

The thesis defense is a two-part process involving a public defense and a committee examination. The public defense is typically a one-hour presentation that is advertised and open to the public that includes a questions and answer component. The committee examination is typically an oral examination centered around your thesis topic and is always conducted by your approved thesis committee. Your thesis chair will work with you and let you know when you are ready to defend.

A thesis defense must be scheduled with your committee and completed before your degree will be conferred. The thesis committee then votes on whether or not to accept the thesis.

Graduate Studies is not involved in the defense though we are notified by the faculty when it is completed.

Recommended due date: 5 p.m. on the Friday before finals week. Thesis chairs may set a different due date.

Submission and acceptance of final thesis.

In order to finalize the successful completion of a thesis, Graduate Studies is the last step and requires all students submit two items via the Thesis Transmittal Form: submission of the final copy of the thesis, and the library publication agreement.

Following the defense, a final copy (in pdf format) approved by your thesis chair and incorporating all revisions, corrections, and feedback from the thesis committee and department/school chair must be submitted to Graduate Studies for university review, approval, and degree clearance. This final version must be clear of errors and strictly follow the thesis manual formatting guidelines.

Along with the thesis is the library publication agreement for inclusion in the library digital repository. The sharing and dissemination of findings is an important part of the research process.

The corrected final thesis, with accompanying library publication agreement, should be submitted to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form. Graduate Studies will notify the student, thesis committee chair, department/school, and registrar of final approval.

If Graduate Studies finds that additional corrections are needed it will be sent back to the student as many times as necessary. Please be aware that if multiple revisions and resubmissions are required to correct mistakes this may draw out the process and possibly degree completion. Students have up to 7 days after the end of the semester in order to submit corrections. If the thesis is not completed and approved by that point, Graduate Studies will continue to work with the student on revisions and graduation may be moved to the next semester.

The corrected final thesis, with accompanying library publication agreement release form, should be submitted from your student Google account to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form . Graduate Studies will notify the student, thesis committee chair, department/school chair, and registrar of final approval.

Recommended due date: 12 noon on the last day of finals week. Thesis chairs may set a different due date.

Graduate Studies Ward Edwards 1900 Tel: (660) 543-4729

[email protected]

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Thesis Writing

Thesis Topics

Interesting Thesis Topics & Ideas To Get Started

17 min read

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If you’re a student who’s nearing graduation and wondering, “What is the best topic for your thesis?”, you’ve come to the perfect place!

It’s a well-established fact that thesis documents require extreme levels of research and dedication. But, when it comes to choosing a topic for your thesis, it is far from being an easy task as well!

If your supervisor hasn’t assigned you a thesis topic, you can get valuable help from this blog. With thesis ideas ranging from education to diverse fields of study, you can pick the topic perfect topic for thesis writing.  

So without further ado, let’s get started!

• 1. Thesis Topics for Students
• 2. Thesis Topics for Multiple Fields
• 3. How to Choose a Good Thesis Topic?

Thesis Topics for Students

We’ll start with a comprehensive list of thesis ideas for students, then move on to topics for multiple fields. 

Thesis Topics for College Students

• Exploring the psychological effects of student loan debt on college graduates
• The challenges and opportunities of globalization
• The role of education and social mobility in reducing inequality
• The impact of immigration on the economy and society
• The potential of new technologies to improve healthcare outcomes
• The impact of online learning on student engagement and achievement 
• What is the role of artificial intelligence in business decision-making?
• High school bullying and its long-term effects on mental health and social adjustment
• The challenges and opportunities of diversity and inclusion in education
• The impact of early childhood education on long-term success

Senior Thesis Topics

• The industrial revolution has increased the gap between the rich and the poor. How?
• What are the effects of global warming on the world’s population?
• Feminism is becoming as bad as racism. How?
• The relationship between social media usage and perceptions of loneliness
• The long-term effects of income inequality on economic growth
• Placement by age vs. placement by academic ability. Which should be preferred?
• How have viruses such as HIV-AIDS, affected the African economy?
• What are the common sleep disorders and their treatments?
• Using animals for sports and entertainment: Is it legal or illegal?
• Discuss Trump’s “America First” trade and foreign policy.

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Bachelor Thesis Topics

• The impact of E-Sports on traditional sports and the future of competitive gaming
• The economics of renewable energy transition: Case study of Germany
• The influence of music on cognitive performance and productivity in the workplace
• The influence of social media on political movements and activism
• The ethical implications of gene editing technologies: A case study on CRISPR-Cas9
• Urban green spaces and their impact on mental health: A case study of Singapore
• The relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality in young adults
• Investigating the psychological factors influencing consumer brand loyalty
• Cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises
• The impact of video games on cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities in children

Masters Thesis Topics

• Discuss the relationship between literature and the political climate in the 18th century
• Explain the relationship between rational thinking and religion
• The Civil War is the greatest inspiration for art. Discuss the concept
• Gun violence in the USA during the 2010s: A comparative analysis
• Cyberbullying can lead to suicides - A case study of Australia
• Campus shootings in the USA: Discuss the causes and risk factors
• Labor markets in China: An in-depth analysis
• What are the impacts of global warming on weather conditions in Iceland?
• Explain the women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia in the 2000s
• Write a detailed comparison of the anti-nuclear movements in Germany and Japan

MBA Thesis Topics

• Discuss a case study of rural marketing projects.
• What are the impacts of reducing the retirement age in America?
• Mergers and acquisitions: Evaluating the factors contributing to success or failure
• How can the banking sector influence the economic growth of India?
• Analysis of global supply chain resilience in the post-pandemic business environment
• Online marketing on social media platforms is useful for small companies. How?
• Write a comparative study of organized trading in the USA and UK
• How is technical knowledge essential to make wise financial decisions?
• How can consumer purchases influence brand design?
• Explore the positive and negative impacts of mobile banking

PhD Thesis Topics

• What are the primary professors’ teaching patterns in China?
• Discuss the social benefits of same-sex marriages
• Discuss the legal issue of child labor in Third World countries.
• What is the positive impact of music therapy on patients with brain injuries?
• Explain the impacts of 9/11 on new policies against terrorism
• Discuss the marketing strategies used in political campaigns
• The US presence in Syria: Is it providing justice or violating the law?
• Elaborate on the preventive measures to fight obesity among teenagers.
• How to treat injuries in diabetic patients?
• What are the political and economic effects of Brexit on the UK?

Thesis Topics for Multiple Fields

Here are some interesting and easy to write thesis topics from multiple fields of study.

Thesis Topics in Education

• Special education policies in the USA: Are they effective or ineffective?
• Why is studying abroad a legitimate excuse for traveling?
• Strategies for supporting undergraduate students' transition to college life
• Family involvement has a direct impact on a child's performance. Discuss how?
• Why are students more likely to do the homework assigned by good-looking professors?
• Role of Parental Involvement in early childhood education for academic readiness
• Explain the development of emotional intelligence for modern education
• Informal learning in rural areas through social networks. Is it possible?
• Public school students interact at the same level as the other students. Is it true?
• How can reality television disempower students to some extent?

Thesis Topics in Healthcare

• How does increased physical activity promote healthy aging?
• The impact of telemedicine on healthcare access and quality
• Mental health stigma: Addressing barriers to seeking and receiving care
• How do Supervised Machine Learning models help in Breast Cancer diagnosis?
• Exploring the mental health implications of prolonged pandemic-related stress and isolation
• Innovations in remote patient monitoring for chronic disease management
• How can we improve the affordability of healthcare without sacrificing quality?
• Strategies for addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases
• How can we use social media to promote health literacy and engagement?
• How can we use genomics to improve disease prevention and treatment?

Thesis Topics for Computer Science

• Quantum computing: The future of data processing and cryptography
• How does the feedback system in personnel management work?
• Describe the development of an automated workplace
• How can data be analyzed by using robust AI algorithms?
• Discuss the benefits of the development of a taxi service website
• The dark web: Anonymity, security, and law enforcement challenges
• Verification of webpage layouts. How is it beneficial?
• What are the impacts of mobile computing on global development?
• Big data analytics for predictive maintenance in IoT systems
• How can AI-assisted surveillance systems decrease mass school shootings in the US?

Architecture Thesis Topics

• How have religious buildings in the British Empire affected architecture?
• Discuss the role of architects in combating the impacts of climate change
• Why should we construct sustainable buildings for offices?
• Discuss a case study of small houses to solve homelessness
• Why should we develop public places in small cities?
• How can architecture revitalize urban areas sustainably?
• Are underwater hotels sustainable?
• Discuss the transformation of urban design in the 21st century
• How can we construct houses in developed countries with low income?
• How can architectural design create healing environments in healthcare facilities?

Thesis Topics for Interior Design

• Role of biophilic design in reducing stress and anxiety in workplaces
• Designing interior spaces for people with dementia
• The use of technology to create immersive and interactive interior experiences
• Design of interior spaces for future generations
• Impact of culture on prisons and other correctional facilities design
• Use of universal design to create inclusive restaurants and cafés
• Use of materials and finishes to create a sustainable and resilient built environment
• What is the impact of interior design on human performance?
• Creating inclusive and accessible interior spaces for people with disabilities
• What is the future of interior design in the age of climate change?

Thesis Topics for Textile Designing

• How to design textiles that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional?
• Environmental impact of textile design and how to reduce it
• How can textile design improve the performance of sportswear and activewear?
• Design a textile collection that is accessible and affordable for people with disabilities
• Develop a sustainable textile production process that reduces environmental impact
• Investigate the impact of textile design on consumer behavior
• Explore the use of sustainable materials in textile design
• Challenges and opportunities of new technologies in textile design
• Ethical implications of materials and production methods in textile design
• How can textile design reduce fashion waste and promote circularity?

Psychology Thesis Topics

• Why is emotional intelligence an important factor in professional satisfaction?
• The notion of the self – Is it a myth or reality?
• Evaluating the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral
• Therapy in managing anxiety
• Self-efficacy and academic achievement: A longitudinal study of students
• A good IQ level can have long-term benefits for children. Discuss how?
• How are emotional disorders directly connected to social cognition?
• Analyze the relationship between emotional and episodic memory
• How can rational thinking allow us to make better decisions?
• How common is depression among homosexual teenagers?
• What are the psychological techniques to help obese teens?

Political Science Thesis Topics

• Compare the foreign policies of the US and the UK
• What were the causes of the American Revolution?
• How is religion used as a political power?
• What is the role of social movements in politics?
• Discuss the consequences of the Civil War
• Immigration policies and their impact on social cohesion and diversity
• The impact of campaign finance reform on political corruption
• What are the negotiation methods during wartime?
• Explain the difference between political and armed conflicts
• Give a detailed review of the Human Rights Act 1998

Thesis Topics for Law Students

• The role of international law in addressing global cybersecurity threats
• Human rights and refugee law: Analyzing the legal status of stateless individuals
• Legal aspects of intellectual property rights in the fashion industry
• Consumer protection laws in E-Commerce: Challenges and emerging trends
• How can we ensure that plea bargaining is used fairly and ethically?
• Examining the legal and ethical implications of genetic testing and genetic privacy
• The evolution of copyright law in the digital era: Balancing innovation and protection
• How has globalization changed the landscape of international law?
• What is the future of International Law in a world of increasing nationalism?
• The impact of race and ethnicity on criminal sentencing

International Relations Thesis Topics

• What is the impact of Russia’s intervention in Syria?
• Discuss the trade relations between India and Pakistan
• Discuss the impacts of the US sanctions on Iran
• Explain the reasons for OIC failure
• What is the US foreign policy towards North Korea?
• Critically analyze the human rights violations in Kashmir
• What is the policy of the United States toward Russia?
• Discuss lessons learned politically since 9/11
• Political problems in Africa have been affected by colonial rule. How?
• Discuss how is Israel playing the victim card in the war against Palestine

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History Thesis Topics

• How has World War II saved the world?
• What is the impact of Buddhism on the Chinese empire?
• Discuss the struggles of the North American colonies for independence
• Describe the role of the monarchy in the domestic policy of Great Britain
• Discuss the impacts of the North Korean nuclear program in Northeast Asia
• Evaluate the American and Britain relations during the Cold War Era
• Discuss the global impacts of the Great Depression
• Explain the Women's rights and woman suffrage: 1848-1920.
• Enlist the Military Innovations between WWI & WWII
• Discuss the feminist movement from 1845 to 1920

Criminal Justice Thesis Topics

• What are the ways to deal with domestic violence?
• How can we reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system?
• How is electronic monitoring an abuse of privacy rights?
• What can be done to prevent cyber crimes?
• What are the common child abuse crimes committed?
• How can body cameras reduce police violence?
• Why are men more likely to get the death penalty?
• How can drug courts help people with addictions?
• Discuss the strategies used to stop criminal behavior
• Discuss the effectiveness of capital punishment in deterring crime

Thesis Topics in English Literature

• The influence of feminist theory on the work of Margaret Atwood
• Discuss the effectiveness of verbal communication in displaying feelings
• How do people communicate when there is no shared language?
• Language travels through time. Discuss the concept
• Elaborate on the advantages of learning a second language in graduate school
• Discuss the effectiveness of non-verbal communication for displaying emotions.
• Shakespearean adaptations in modern literature and film
• Narrative techniques in experimental literature and their impact on storytelling
• What are the benefits of learning two languages at once as a child?
• How to best communicate: Verbally or non-verbally? 

Thesis Topics in Mass Communication

• Effects of user-generated content on news credibility and trust in online journalism
• Impact of deep fake technology on media manipulation and trust in visual media
• The role of media in promoting political polarization and extremism
• The challenges of reporting on sensitive topics such as war, violence, and trauma
• The ethics of using media to exploit or harm vulnerable populations
• The influence of TikTok on youth culture and entertainment consumption
• How does sports journalism respond to evolving media landscapes?
• The role of social media influencers in shaping brand image and consumer behavior
• The role of media in promoting corporate interests and agendas
• What is the role of media in the surveillance state and the erosion of privacy?

Thesis Topics in Business Administration 

• How is digital transformation changing business models and strategies?
• What role does venture capital play in funding and supporting startups?
• The role of data analytics in decision-making and improving business outcomes
• The challenges and opportunities of expanding into new markets
• What factors influence call center industry employee retention?
• Comparing leadership structures in manufacturing and retail sectors
• How do varying leadership styles impact worker performance?
• Challenges and opportunities of managing supply chains in a globalized economy
• Is a Human Resources Officer still relevant in today's businesses?
• What is the impact of internal communications on organizational objectives?

Thesis Topics in Physical Education

• Role of physical education in preventing childhood obesity
• Impact of physical activity on sleep quality and overall well-being
• Influence of physical education on self-esteem and body image in adolescents
• What strategies promote gender equity in physical education?
• How can cultural competency be integrated into physical education programs?
• How does virtual physical education impact student engagement?
• What factors contribute to successful youth sports and athlete development?
• How does assessment and feedback improve student learning in physical education?
• How can older adults be encouraged to maintain active lifestyles?
• Does physical education have a measurable impact on academic performance?

Civil Engineering Thesis Topics

• Assessing the impact of climate change on infrastructure resilience
• Optimizing traffic flow and transportation systems for urban mobility
• Risk assessment and management in civil engineering projects
• Green infrastructure and stormwater management in urban environments
• Geotechnical engineering challenges in high-rise building construction
• Resilient infrastructure for mitigating the impact of extreme weather events
• Smart grids and energy-efficient infrastructure for future cities
• The role of 3D printing in construction: Feasibility and applications
• Augmented reality and virtual reality in civil engineering education and design
• What are the risk factors involved in building skyscrapers?

Cyber Security Thesis Topics

• How can network security deal with cyber crimes?
• How can an informational system protect your data?
• How can we prevent the growth of cyber hackers?
• What are the different types of cyber crimes?
• How can we make network security affordable for everyone?
• Discuss the effectiveness of malware protection software.
• How can we improve cybersecurity in wireless networks?
• What are the ways to prevent cyber attacks in organizations?
• How do people become cyber criminals?
• What are the current trends in the field of cybercrime and security?

Sociology Thesis Topics

• What are the consequences of adopting a child?
• Discuss the concept of female empowerment in a conservative society
• Organ transplantation in our society. Is it ethical?
• Explain the diffusion and innovation in European culture
• What are the challenges that most women face at workplaces?
• How difficult is it to be a single parent in a society?
• The impact of economic disparities on how people Live: A sociological study
• Technology has changed the way we eat. How?
• Violations of social norms can be a positive act. How?
• What is the relationship between poverty and education?

Philosophy Thesis Topics

• What is the nature of truth and reality in a post-modern world?
• Is there any life after death?
• Can a person be happy without friends and family?
• Why is there a need to engage children in physical activities?
• Will you have eternal satisfaction if you had all the wealth in the world?
• How morality and religion are related to each other?
• Why do people commit crimes when they’re at the brink of poverty? 
• How to develop a personal philosophy of life: Influences, values, and decision-making
• Can free will exist in a deterministic universe, and what are its implications for agency and responsibility?
• What is the nature of consciousness, and how does it relate to our perception of reality?

Economics Thesis Topics

• Discuss the differences in commercial practices in rural and urban areas
• Critically analyze regional divergence in Europe
• Discuss the relationship between economic geography and the contemporary environment
• What are the impacts of intellectual capital in growing markets?
• Labor regulations are a way to solve the issue of unemployment. Discuss how?
• Explain the factors that determine the market value of a business
• What is the effect of labor force participation on the economy?
• Discuss the impact of government expenditure on the economic growth of Australia
• Discuss the impact of Brexit on small and middle businesses in the UK
• Write a review of the aid and economic growth of developing economies

Want to know how to format thesis papers properly? Get expert guidance from our detailed blog!

Now that you have access to a wide range of thesis topics for multiple fields, you could use some tips to understand how you should pick a good thesis topic. 

How to Choose a Good Thesis Topic?

Follow the easy tips given below to choose a good topic for your thesis.

The following is a detailed description of the tips for choosing thesis paper topics.

• Know Your Target Audience : Understand your audience's preferences, opinions, and ideas, and always consider their feedback for better grades
• Consider Your Strengths : Identify your skills and strengths, and focus on your areas of knowledge
• Follow Your Interests : Select a topic that aligns with your passions and leverage your creativity for an engaging idea 
• Combine Different Ideas : Brainstorm multiple ideas based on your interests and knowledge to create a unique idea 
• Read and Find Gaps : Explore existing literature and research, to identify gaps or areas that require further investigation
• Put Your Idea to the Test : Conduct small experiments or surveys to test your concept, and utilize data and human resources for a comprehensive analysis. Make sure to identify and address any flaws or weaknesses in your thesis idea.

To conclude , the above research paper topics will surely help you draft an A+ thesis. However, if you need more unique ideas, getting expert help is a good option.

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Keep reading

1000+ FREE Research Topics & Title Ideas

If you’re at the start of your research journey and are trying to figure out which research topic you want to focus on, you’ve come to the right place. Select your area of interest below to view a comprehensive collection of potential research ideas.

Research Topic FAQs

What (exactly) is a research topic.

A research topic is the subject of a research project or study – for example, a dissertation or thesis. A research topic typically takes the form of a problem to be solved, or a question to be answered.

A good research topic should be specific enough to allow for focused research and analysis. For example, if you are interested in studying the effects of climate change on agriculture, your research topic could focus on how rising temperatures have impacted crop yields in certain regions over time.

To learn more about the basics of developing a research topic, consider our free research topic ideation webinar.

What constitutes a good research topic?

A strong research topic comprises three important qualities : originality, value and feasibility.

• Originality – a good topic explores an original area or takes a novel angle on an existing area of study.
• Value – a strong research topic provides value and makes a contribution, either academically or practically.
• Feasibility – a good research topic needs to be practical and manageable, given the resource constraints you face.

To learn more about what makes for a high-quality research topic, check out this post .

What's the difference between a research topic and research problem?

A research topic and a research problem are two distinct concepts that are often confused. A research topic is a broader label that indicates the focus of the study , while a research problem is an issue or gap in knowledge within the broader field that needs to be addressed.

To illustrate this distinction, consider a student who has chosen “teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom” as their research topic. This research topic could encompass any number of issues related to teenage pregnancy such as causes, prevention strategies, health outcomes for mothers and babies, etc.

Within this broad category (the research topic) lies potential areas of inquiry that can be explored further – these become the research problems . For example:

• What factors contribute to higher rates of teenage pregnancy in certain communities?
• How do different types of parenting styles affect teen pregnancy rates?
• What interventions have been successful in reducing teenage pregnancies?

Simply put, a key difference between a research topic and a research problem is scope ; the research topic provides an umbrella under which multiple questions can be asked, while the research problem focuses on one specific question or set of questions within that larger context.

How can I find potential research topics for my project?

There are many steps involved in the process of finding and choosing a high-quality research topic for a dissertation or thesis. We cover these steps in detail in this video (also accessible below).

How can I find quality sources for my research topic?

Finding quality sources is an essential step in the topic ideation process. To do this, you should start by researching scholarly journals, books, and other academic publications related to your topic. These sources can provide reliable information on a wide range of topics. Additionally, they may contain data or statistics that can help support your argument or conclusions.

Identifying Relevant Sources

When searching for relevant sources, it’s important to look beyond just published material; try using online databases such as Google Scholar or JSTOR to find articles from reputable journals that have been peer-reviewed by experts in the field.

You can also use search engines like Google or Bing to locate websites with useful information about your topic. However, be sure to evaluate any website before citing it as a source—look for evidence of authorship (such as an “About Us” page) and make sure the content is up-to-date and accurate before relying on it.

Evaluating Sources

Once you’ve identified potential sources for your research project, take some time to evaluate them thoroughly before deciding which ones will best serve your purpose. Consider factors such as author credibility (are they an expert in their field?), publication date (is the source current?), objectivity (does the author present both sides of an issue?) and relevance (how closely does this source relate to my specific topic?).

By researching the current literature on your topic, you can identify potential sources that will help to provide quality information. Once you’ve identified these sources, it’s time to look for a gap in the research and determine what new knowledge could be gained from further study.

How can I find a good research gap?

Finding a strong gap in the literature is an essential step when looking for potential research topics. We explain what research gaps are and how to find them in this post.

How should I evaluate potential research topics/ideas?

When evaluating potential research topics, it is important to consider the factors that make for a strong topic (we discussed these earlier). Specifically:

• Originality
• Feasibility

So, when you have a list of potential topics or ideas, assess each of them in terms of these three criteria. A good topic should take a unique angle, provide value (either to academia or practitioners), and be practical enough for you to pull off, given your limited resources.

Finally, you should also assess whether this project could lead to potential career opportunities such as internships or job offers down the line. Make sure that you are researching something that is relevant enough so that it can benefit your professional development in some way. Additionally, consider how each research topic aligns with your career goals and interests; researching something that you are passionate about can help keep motivation high throughout the process.

How can I assess the feasibility of a research topic?

When evaluating the feasibility and practicality of a research topic, it is important to consider several factors.

First, you should assess whether or not the research topic is within your area of competence. Of course, when you start out, you are not expected to be the world’s leading expert, but do should at least have some foundational knowledge.

Time commitment

When considering a research topic, you should think about how much time will be required for completion. Depending on your field of study, some topics may require more time than others due to their complexity or scope.

Additionally, if you plan on collaborating with other researchers or institutions in order to complete your project, additional considerations must be taken into account such as coordinating schedules and ensuring that all parties involved have adequate resources available.

Resources needed

It’s also critically important to consider what type of resources are necessary in order to conduct the research successfully. This includes physical materials such as lab equipment and chemicals but can also include intangible items like access to certain databases or software programs which may be necessary depending on the nature of your work. Additionally, if there are costs associated with obtaining these materials then this must also be factored into your evaluation process.

Potential risks

It’s important to consider the inherent potential risks for each potential research topic. These can include ethical risks (challenges getting ethical approval), data risks (not being able to access the data you’ll need), technical risks relating to the equipment you’ll use and funding risks (not securing the necessary financial back to undertake the research).

If you’re looking for more information about how to find, evaluate and select research topics for your dissertation or thesis, check out our free webinar here . Alternatively, if you’d like 1:1 help with the topic ideation process, consider our private coaching services .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

• Office of Graduate Studies
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Theses and Dissertations

To facilitate the research productivity of master's and doctoral candidates, the following format rules were adopted by NJIT for theses and dissertations. The following provides detailed examples of abstract pages, title pages, proper document format, etc. These format standards have been developed to ensure a degree of consistency in the written presentation of research and should be followed by all students.

The Graduate Faculty at NJIT  guidelines are followed for the composition of M.S. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation committees.

Students must submit their MS thesis or PhD dissertation document, that includes their advisor's final changes, to the thesis/dissertation committee members about three weeks before your defense. The committee members must be given at least two weeks to review the document before the defense. Also, the  public defense announcement  must be submitted to GSO after GSO's second review of the document which must occur at least two weeks before the defense date. The second review of the thesis or dissertation with GSO cannot be scheduled if the embargo form hasn't been submitted to GSO.

• Process for Thesis and Dissertation Document Approval ( .PDF )
• MS Thesis - Timetable for Document Approval ( .PDF )
• PhD Dissertation - Timetable for Document Approval ( .PDF )

Note: Thesis and Dissertation review for format by the Office of Graduate Studies must occur prior to defense and final submission .

• Avoiding Format Problems in the Document ( .PDF )
• Proper Order of Thesis and Dissertation Pages ( .PDF )
• Steps for Page Numbering for Thesis and Dissertation Document ( .PDF for 2013 )
• Steps for Creating a Table of Contents ( .PDF ) | ( .DOC )
• List of Correct Combinations of Graduate Degrees and Departments or Interdisciplinary Programs at NJIT: Title Page Documentation

Approval Page Signature Process

1. The student brings a printout of their unsigned Approval Page to be signed at the Final Defense. 2. All committee members present at the Defense sign the Approval Page.  3. The student scans the signed Approval Page and:  If they are a PhD candidate, the student will upload it to ProQuest  If they are an MS candidate, the student will email it to Graduate Studies ( [email protected] ) 4. (Optional/Dependent) If any committee members did not sign the Approval Page at the defense, the student will scan and email the signed Approval Page to Graduate Studies, where it will be sent to whichever members have not signed yet, via Docusign, for electronic signature.  At this point, if the student is a PhD candidate, Graduate Studies will send the signed Approval Page (when ready) to the student for uploading to ProQuest

Please note that the dissertation/thesis committee must have previously been approved by Dr. Ziavras. 

Style Guides

( DISCLAIMER : these templates may not be a 100% match to thesis/dissertation formatting standards due to differences in software versions; additional changes may be needed after use)

• LaTeX Template for UNIX (2023)
• Microsoft Word Template (2024)

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Examples

The following formatting examples can be used as samples.

NOTE: these examples are  not templates.

• Front Matter ( .PDF with comments ) → Includes Abstract, Title ( List of Correct Title Pages ), Copyright, Approval Page, Biographical Sketch, Dedication, Acknowledgments, Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures, and List of Symbols or Definitions (optional).
• Document Body ( .PDF with comments ) → Includes Introduction, Body, Figures, and Tables.
• Appendices ( .PDF with comments ) → Includes Survey Documents, Questionnaires, Permission Forms, additional Figures or Tables.
• References ( .PDF with comments ) → Includes References according the preferred style for academic discipline, which subject specialists at the Robert Van Houten Library can help to determine. A list of these specialists can be found at:  https://library.njit.edu/staff

Information for Doctoral Students

• For PhD students doing their final dissertation submission,  complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates at this link
• For PhD students who have submitted their final dissertation,  information for requesting a completion letter is available at this link

Important Deadlines and Information

Students must be registered for thesis or dissertation before beginning the review and submission process. 

Thesis and Dissertation Submission Deadline for Spring 2024:

Before May 1, 2024

--- Click here to view the presentation from the Spring 2024 Thesis & Dissertation Workshop

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Division of Research and Graduate Studies

Templates and Resources

Downloadable templates.

• The templates are MS Word files in the prescribed university thesis format. Margins, line spacing, and heading styles are all set up for you. Please do not change.
• If your program is not listed below, click on "Chapter Template" or "Section Template" to see which is assigned to your program.
• Find and download your template below:

Chapter Template

Use the chapter template if you are writing a thesis using MLA, Turabian, or some other journal specific to your field (e.g., Art, English, Business Administration, History, International Relations, Linguistics, Public Administration, Spanish).

Chapter Template Document

Section Template

Use the section template if your degree is in Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science,  Engineering, Geology, Industrial Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Plant Science, or Viticulture and Enology.

Section Template Document

APA 7th Chapter Template

If you are writing a thesis using APA 7th edition (e.g., Communication, Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies, Counseling, Criminology, Education, Ed.S., Kinesiology, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work), use this template.

APA 7th Template Document

MFA Fiction/Nonfiction Template

Mfa poetry template, ms nursing project template.

If you are in the Master's of Nursing program, and you are completing a project (298), then use this template.

MSN 298 Template Document

Physical Therapy Template

If you are completing an evidenced-based project in the Doctorate in Physical Therapy program, please use this template.

DPT Template Document

EdD Dissertation Template

If you are completing a dissertation in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, please use this template.

EdD Template Document

Doctor of Nursing Template

If you are completing a project in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, please use this template.

DNP Template Document

Template Resources

Navigating the template.

Once you get your template, check out this helpful instructional Power Point

Navigating the Thesis Template: The Basics

Styles Window (video)

This video will help you navigate the use of styles within Word.

Pasting Text into the Template (video)

Learn how to move text from one document to the template document.

 Updating Table of Contents (video)

In the template you don't need to enter the content or pages manually into the Table of Contents. This video will show you how to populate the Table of Contents by using the update field feature.  The List of Tables and the List of Figures use the same feature.

Creating a Table in MS Word

If you are including tables in your document, please make sure you create tables using the insert table function in MS Word. Do not use tabs, spaces, and lines to create tables.

• Last Updated Jan 8, 2024

• Thesis Guidelines
• Graduate Studies

Thesis Cycle

1. Graduate students with a thesis as a requirement for degree completion must prepare and approve a thesis proposal before starting their thesis research. 2. The preparation of a thesis proposal is either:

• Part of a course (seminar/research methodology) will be finalized and approved within the course.
• Not part of a course but is to be finalized and approved before starting the thesis work.

In case the preparation of a thesis proposal is not part of a course, students would be able to register for the thesis guidance credits for the first time, even if a thesis proposal is not finalized and approved. However, students cannot register for any further thesis guidance credits without an approved thesis proposal. 3. To guide students in their progress towards the completion of their degree requirements, lower credit hours limits are indicated below for having students start their thesis proposal, and upper credit hours limits are indicated for having students complete their thesis proposal:

• The minimum number of credit hours before which a graduate student should not submit a thesis proposal is nine credit hours. Individual graduate programs can set a higher limit than this if they deem it necessary.
• The maximum number of credit hours beyond which a graduate student should have completed a thesis proposal is 21 credit hours. Individual graduate programs can set a lower limit than this if they deem it necessary.

4. Thesis Proposal Contents

• Essential contents encompass:

a. Literature review b. Research question(s) c. Proposed methodology/theoretical framework d. Bibliography 

• Additional components can be required by specific graduate programs (refer to your program for any additional components), such as:

a. Conceptual framework b. Fieldwork or needed materials (library resources, documents, data, and others) c. Location of the conduct of the research d. Significance e. Timeline 5. Thesis proposal approval:

• The thesis proposal must be reviewed and approved within the graduate program before the student can embark on the thesis work. The approval process is left to the individual graduate program to develop and implement but typically would involve review and feedback from several faculty members involved in the program.
• The update of the thesis proposal based on feedback received, where applicable, is to be conducted by the graduate student in coordination with his/her thesis supervisor:
• In case the feedback and associated updates fall within the overall aim and scope of the proposal, only the thesis supervisor's approval of the updates is needed.
• Suppose the feedback and associated updates are such that the original aim and scope of the thesis proposal are no longer valid. In that case, the updated proposal is considered a new proposal to be submitted for another review and approval within the graduate program.
• If the thesis proposal entails patentable processes or products, the proposal reviewers within the program must sign a non-disclosure agreement form. The thesis supervisor will identify this need, and the non-disclosure agreement form will be obtained from AUC's Technology Transfer Office.  

6. In some disciplines, examiners/readers could be identified when the thesis proposal is complete. The proposal could be shared with potential examiners/readers to help them decide whether to be examiners/readers of the thesis.

Important Notes:

• A thesis proposal must be prepared and submitted by the student
• The proposal is to be reviewed within the graduate program, and feedback is provided to the student for finalization
• The finalized proposal is approved by the graduate program
• The student obtains IRB approval if applicable

1. The selection of a thesis supervisor could be carried out before or after the preparation of the thesis proposal, depending on the internal regulations of the graduate program. 2. The student must identify and agree with a faculty member to be his/her thesis supervisor. Having more than one supervisor is possible (co-supervisors). The thesis supervisor(s) should be competent in the student’s thesis topic. The graduate program director must be informed of this agreement. The approval of the thesis supervision form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here . 3. The involvement of the thesis supervisor in thesis supervision during the summer months is left at the faculty member's discretion, and the decision is to be communicated to the student and the program director no later than the start of the preceding month of May. 4. The thesis supervisor must be a full-time faculty member at AUC. Thesis co-supervisors, where applicable, can also be external to AUC but must be full-time faculty members affiliated with an accredited university in Egypt or elsewhere. Having a thesis co-supervisor must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the main thesis supervisor. 5. The relationship between the graduate student and the thesis supervisor is mutually consensual. This means that a graduate student can change the thesis supervisor (in this case, the changing thesis supervisor form is to be used), and a thesis supervisor can decide to no longer be involved in the supervision of a thesis (in this case, the withdrawing from thesis supervision form is to be used). In either case, the student must identify a new thesis supervisor. The Banner record of the student must be updated accordingly. Graduate studies forms are available  here . 6. If a thesis supervisor ceases to be a full-time faculty member at AUC before the final submission of a thesis, an alternative thesis supervisor must be identified by the student, and the changing thesis supervisor form is to be used in this regard. Graduate studies forms are available  here . The thesis supervisor who is no longer at AUC as a full-time faculty member could still be involved in the thesis supervision as a co-supervisor, with consent from the student and the new thesis supervisor, conditional that he/she meets the conditions specified in point 3 above.

• The student must identify and agree with a faculty member to be his/her thesis supervisor. Having more than one supervisor is possible (co-supervisors). The approval of the thesis supervision form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• The program director is to be informed of this agreement.
• The student embarks on the thesis work under the guidance of the supervisor(s) Regular feedback is to be provided to the student on his/her progress. The thesis progress report form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• The student is to apply for  Institutional Research Board (IRB)  approval for thesis work if applicable, and CAPMAS approval is needed

1. During the course of the thesis work, the thesis supervisor, in coordination with the student and with approval from the program director, identifies and agrees with faculty members to act as examiners/readers. In the case of graduate programs in sciences and engineering, the examiners are identified when a final thesis draft is ready for defense. The formation of thesis defense committee form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .   2. At least two examiners/readers are needed: external examiner/reader one and internal examiner/reader two. The examiners/readers must be experts in the field of the thesis topic. They can be from outside the graduate program of concern, and one of them can also be external to AUC.    3. Examiners/readers must be holders of doctoral degrees and, if external to AUC, should be affiliated with an institution of higher education in Egypt or elsewhere.    

Feedback on Thesis Work

a. During the process of thesis work and thesis writing, the student works closely with the thesis supervisor(s), who provide(s) guidance and feedback on the work and the student’s progress in this regard. The thesis progress report form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .

b. The supervisor (and, where applicable, the co-supervisor) will lead the student through the thesis work.

c. This process will result in a thesis draft  Loading... the deadlines set in the catalog The originality of this draft should be checked through the submission to  Turnitin .

d. The thesis draft can then be shared with the examiners/readers, that would provide feedback on the draft for the student to take into account for the finalization of the thesis document

e. The thesis supervisor coordinates obtaining feedback from examiners/readers on the thesis draft and communicates this feedback to the student.   Feedback must be provided in a written format, either as a report or as annotated comments on the thesis draft. The feedback cannot be provided verbally. 

For the feedback from examiners/readers on the thesis draft, the supervisor must agree with the examiners/readers on how this feedback would be addressed by the student. Suppose any disagreement arises about the feedback between the examiners/readers on the one hand and the supervisor(s) on the other hand in this regard. In that case, this should be discussed and addressed before being relayed to the student. This ensures no conflicting feedback is relayed to the student.

In the case of graduate programs in sciences and engineering, the examiners provide their feedback after the thesis defense.

• During the course of the thesis work, the thesis supervisor, in coordination with the student, identifies and agrees with faculty members to act as examiners/readers. In the case of graduate programs in sciences and engineering, the examiners are identified when a final thesis draft is ready for defense. The formation of thesis defense committee form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• At least two examiners/readers are needed: external examiner/reader one and internal examiner/reader two. The examiners/readers must be experts in the field of the thesis topic. They can be from outside the graduate program of concern, and one of them can also be external to AUC.
• Examiners/readers must be holders of doctoral degrees and, if external to AUC, should be affiliated with an institution of higher education in Egypt or elsewhere.
• A thesis draft is produced  Loading...  and shared with the examiners/readers. The originality of this draft should be checked through the submission to  Turnitin . The submission to  Turnitin  form should be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• Readers provide feedback on the draft to the student through the supervisor.
• The student, under the supervisor's guidance, addresses this feedback, producing a final thesis draft for the defense.

1. A thesis defense is obligatory for all graduate programs requiring a thesis.    2. The thesis supervisor agrees with the student that the thesis draft is ready for defense. The thesis defense approval form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .    3. A thesis defense committee comprises the thesis supervisor(s) and the examiners/readers. The thesis supervisor could identify a moderator for the thesis defense other than the supervisor and examiners/readers. The formation of thesis defense committee form is to be used.

The thesis defense committee members must sign the non-disclosure of the thesis defense deliberations form. Graduate studies forms are available  here .    4. The thesis defense should consist of the following:

• An open defense, at least to members of the program/department
• Oral structured presentation
• Committee’s discussion with the student for a final assessment 

5. After the thesis defense takes place, the thesis defense evaluation form will be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .

Comments and needed revisions are communicated to the student by the thesis supervisor in writing and no later than two weeks after the thesis defense. The thesis supervisor(s), together with the examiners/readers, is to set a deadline for the student to address the comments and any needed revisions and produce an updated thesis draft.    6. Based on the thesis evaluation by the thesis defense committee, an update of the thesis draft, where necessary, would be conducted by the student within the set deadline specified in point five above and addressing comments and needed revisions specified by members of the thesis defense committee during the defense.

The updated thesis draft is to be reviewed by the thesis supervisor and/or examiners/readers, and a final decision on the acceptance of the updated draft is made by the supervisor and/or examiners/readers. 

The thesis re-examination form will be used if a re-defense is needed. Graduate studies forms are available  here .    7. The finalized thesis copy, approved by the thesis supervisor and examiners/readers, is then submitted to complete the degree requirements. The originality of the finalized thesis document must be checked through submission to  Turnitin . In this respect, the submission to  Turnitin  Form should be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .

Deadlines For Drafts and Thesis Defense

a. The defense must be conducted no later than two weeks before the deadline for final thesis submission as specified in the  Loading... .    b. The thesis draft ready for defense must be submitted by the dates specified in  Loading... University Catalog and no later than ten working days before the defense date.

• The thesis supervisor agrees with the student that the thesis draft is ready for defense. The thesis defense approval form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• The thesis supervisor could identify a moderator for the thesis defense other than the supervisor and examiners/readers.
• The thesis defense takes place.
• Final comments and feedback are provided to the student by examiners/readers and the thesis supervisor(s). The thesis defense evaluation form is to be used. Graduate studies forms are available  here .
• The student updates the thesis draft addressing comments and feedback provided to him/her.
• The thesis supervisor and/or examiners/readers could further review the updated thesis.
• The finalized thesis copy, approved by the thesis supervisor and examiners/readers, is then submitted to complete the degree requirements.

• Future Students
• Parents and Families

Rhody Today

Graduate students recognized with ‘three minute thesis’ awards for influential research.

KINGSTON, R.I., – April 22, 2024 – Three Ph.D. students at the University of Rhode Island have been recognized for their ability to communicate their research effectively to the public as part of URI’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Each student who entered the competition was challenged to present the content and contributions of their research in a 3-minute “ elevator pitch ” that attempted to  capture the attention of a non-specialist audience in a vivid, cogent, jargon-free style – without reverting to academic language – while relying on only a  single static slide as a visual aid.  

“An 80,000 word Ph.D. thesis would take 9 hours to present.  Your time limit… 3 minutes” according to the University of Queensland , which founded the 3MT competition in 2008.  3MT is now replicated at over 900 universities around the world.  “3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills, . . . and supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in 3 minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience,” according to University of Queensland.

The finals of URI’s 3MT competition took place last month, in Lippitt Hall before an audience of nearly 100 spectators. Winners are: Sarah Davis, who is studying biological and environmental sciences; Md Abdullah Al Rumon, a student in electrical engineering; and Helani Singhapurage, who is studying physics.

“Graduate programs are the secret sauce that makes URI such a great place to study and work, and the Three Minute Thesis competition was an incredible opportunity to showcase the innovative work that our graduate students do every day,” said Professor of Chemistry and Graduate School Dean Brenton DeBoef.

Davis’ first-place presentation, “A Crab’s Eye View of the Plastic Pollution Crisis,” about the New England native Jonah crab, highlighted the urgent threat that pollution poses to ocean life. 

According to Davis, the greatest threat to this species is the level of plastic pollution in the ocean. When the plastic refuse breaks down, becoming microplastics, ingesting these synthetic materials becomes unavoidable for ocean-floor scavengers like crustaceans. 

Second-place winner Al Rumon, wrote his thesis on a device that would more efficiently monitor the vital signs of infants in neonatal intensive care units. His “smart belt” device is a “softer” non-invasive way to gather essential medical information from infants and newborns in delicate conditions. 

Current standard equipment for taking vital signs in infant intensive care units is composed of equipment, including leads for monitors and tubes that are fastened directly to the baby’s skin, which has many drawbacks, says Rumon. Not only can the wires damage or irritate the skin of a newborn, causing bleeding and contact dermatitis, they can prevent the baby from moving freely, making it more difficult for mothers and nurses to hold them. Al Rumon’s belt design is simpler than what exists now for taking vital signs. An article on the $2.6 million grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health to al Rumon and the team developing this device was featured in Rhody Today on Oct. 19, 2023.

Singhapurage, was voted winner of the people’s choice award by the audience, for her research in the field of physics. Singhapurage’s thesis explores light refraction on the microscopic level, and compares the refractions of different kinds of light on different materials by measuring the vibrations emitted. 

Studies of this sort have been conducted before, but Singhapurage’s methods of light and vibration measurement allowed her to discern minute variations in the emitted frequencies that speak to the chemical differences of the material, and perceived differences in its color.

“Analyzing scattered light from Raman active vibrations of materials provides vital information,” Singhapurage said. “Ultimately, findings of my research will help to develop more efficient semiconductors and high-powered lasers.”

DeBoef, who judged the event, along with Jen Riley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, professor and associate dean of research in the College of Engineering; and Christopher Lavan, associate vice provost for the advancement of teaching and learning, called the event a resounding success.

You can view the presentations of all the winners and see the list of the 10 finalists HERE

This story was written by Samantha Melia, a senior journalism and political science major at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Marketing and Communications.

Department of Biology

Graduate Studies

The application deadline for the  2024-2025  cohort is February 1, 2024. There is no application fee.

The Portland State Biology graduate program offers M.S.T, M.A., M.S, and Ph.D degree options. Admission into our program is highly competitive. Our multi-disciplinary faculty offer admitted graduate students the opportunity to conduct cutting edge research, gain professional teaching experience, and pursue an academically rigorous program which fosters professional research development. Our students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to be successful contributors to the scientific community.

Our campus is located in the heart of Downtown Portland, and our program draws top graduate students from around the world. Our research faculty expertise spans a broad range of disciplines within the field of Biology. Research is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories and in field locations, from the glaciers of Antarctica, to the jungles of Central and South America, to the bamboo forests of central China. Regional collaborators include public, state and federal agencies as well as other regional institutions including, but not limited to, the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), Oregon Health & Science University, and Oregon State University.

Degree Requirements

• Biology M.A./M.S.
• Biology M.A.T./M.S.T.
• Biology Ph.D.

Graduate Thesis or Dissertation

All Biology graduate students must defend a thesis or dissertation to complete the degree program. The first part of the graduate defense is a one-hour seminar that is open to the public followed by a closed-door review of the student's research with the student and the student's graduate committee.

PDXScholar maintains a  complete list  of all theses and dissertations submitted to the University.  

How to Apply

Applications to the Biology Graduate Program must be made through the Graduate School ; please do not send any application materials directly to the Biology Department.

Applications are reviewed only for admission for fall term. There is no application fee. 

• Graduate School
• Thesis & Dissertation Info
• Grad Dates & Deadlines
• Graduate School Forms
• Joint Campus Registration
• Biology Grad Handbook
• Graduate Learning Objectives

2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition

April 22, 2024

The Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies  at Pacific Northwest College of Art is thrilled to announce the 2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition!

The 2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition is a celebration marking the culmination of creative exploration, critical inquiry, and artistic innovation by the Master of Fine Arts candidates at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). Over the course of two+ years, these 25 exceptional artists, designers, and makers have dedicated themselves to intensive research and experimentation resulting in a diverse and compelling array of works. This exhibition stands as a testament to the interdisciplinary ethos of PNCA, where boundaries between disciplines blur, and innovation flourishes at the crossroads of diverse creative practices. We invite you to immerse yourself in the visions and voices of these talented artists, to engage with their ideas, and to witness firsthand the transformative power of art, craft, and design.

On view across three locations in downtown Portland, Oregon May 2 ~ May 19, 2024

Join us for a First Thursday Opening Reception on May 2 from 5pm - 9pm!

Free + open to the public

Expensify, 401 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Stelo Arts, 412 NW 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Maddox, 1231 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209

Public Viewing Hours

1st Thursday May 2 from 5-9PM

May 4 & May 5 from 1-5 PM

May 11 & May 12 from 1-5 PM

May 18 from 1-5 PM

Presented by Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University.

Thank you to our partners! Stelo Arts, Bank of Expensify and Pearl District Portfolio

Exhibiting Artists:

Adia Gibbs amoqiix-araceli Angie M. Wallace Ansley Gwin Austin Roch Bryce Frimming Charlie C Wilcox Daniel Sundberg Denyse Stawicki Flannery Smith Freyja C.G. Kohler James H. Kennon Jessica Joner Jessie Lawson Lauren Voigt Lucas Cantoni Jose M.E. Cobb Prativa Shee Razel Mari Rebecca Burrell Sam Orosz Sanaz Masoumi Sarah Kerfoot Todd Umhoefer Yara Bertran

The Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies at Pacific Northwest College of Art is thrilled to announce the 2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition!

October First Thursday at PNCA + North Park Blocks

The Center for Contemporary Art & Culture at Pacific Northwest College of Art is excited to invite the public to the October First Thursday Art Walk in the North Park Blocks for a series of exhibition openings, performances, live music, drop-in activities and refreshments!

2023-24 Visiting Artist Lecture Series

We are thrilled to announce PNCA’s 2023-24 Visiting Artist Lecture Series! 

PNCA’s Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies and Center for Contemporary Art & Culture welcomes prominent artists, scholars, designers, curators, and critics from around the country and beyond, to engage with the Portland arts community.

Farewell to Lee Kelly

Oregon’s Sculptor, Lee Kelly BFA ‘59, passed away on March 28, 2022, at age 89.

PNCA offers generous scholarships to transfer students

Pacific Northwest College of Art is offering an affordable and accessible option for transfer students who want to earn a BFA degree.

Department of Art presents the M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions 2024

The UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Art proudly announces the opening of the 2024 M.F.A. thesis exhibitions, showcasing the culmination of three years of intensive study and creative exploration by its graduate candidates.

Under the guidance of a globally acclaimed faculty, the graduate program at UC Irvine offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary platform for visual arts education. The program comprising a comprehensive curriculum of core and elective classes in production, theory, and contemporary issues, the program fosters both creative and critical development among its students. This ethos is further enriched by the university's status as a leading research institution, allowing graduate students to access courses across various departments and programs, enhancing their academic experience.

The 2024 M.F.A. thesis exhibitions present the solo works of the following candidates:

• Alberto Lule
• Gintautė Skvernytė
• Joshua Thomen
• Lauren Goldenberg Longoria
• Liz Stringer
• Devin Wilson

The exhibitions are divided into two rounds, with the first featuring Alberto Lule, Gintautė Skvernytė, Joshua Thomen, and Mona Welch. Please join the department for an opening reception for "Part 1" on Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. "Part 2" will showcase the works of Lauren Goldenberg Longoria, Liz Stringer, and Devin Wilson, with their opening reception scheduled for Saturday, May 11, from 2 to 5 p.m.

These exhibitions not only highlight the artistic achievements of the M.F.A. candidates but also underscore the Department of Art's commitment to nurturing creative excellence and fostering a vibrant intellectual community.

Read further to learn more about the artists and their work. Both exhibitions will be held at the Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery and Room Galler. Admission is free and open to the public.

M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part 1 April 20 – May 4, 2024 Opening: Saturday, April 20 from 2–5 p.m.

Alberto Lule  |  Displacement Erratic Examines the displacement of the body through various systems. Artworks attempt to find connections between overlooked systems of power, often seen as unrelated.

Gintautė Skvernytė  |  Switch Works shown: Paraffin Slides, Flicks (contact prints), Still, and a character named Sugar.

Joshua Thomen  |  On a Particularly Windy Day This latest exhibition of sculptures deepens a sense of animacy within the decorative, ephemeral, and unseen. Disparate ways of working come together to weave a quiet and wistful poem.

Mona Welch  |  7 Paintings for Spring A yellow painting, a blue painting, three brown paintings, a red painting, and a beige one.

M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part 2 May 11 – 25, 2024 Opening: Saturday, May 11 from 2–5 p.m.

Lauren Goldenberg Longoria  |  Sweet Spit Lauren Goldenberg Longoria’s paintings are vulnerable meditations of material, memory, and time. Rooted in a spirit of cannibalizing, Sweet Spit considers how her papermaking process simultaneously relates to the body, nostalgic objects in her grandmother’s home, and the compulsive desire to squeeze what’s oozing. These compact paper works are sympathetic to eachother in how they scaffold, disguise, and unearth.

Liz Stringer  |  The Showings Horror is the allure of the forbidden, and what is more forbidden than a body? The Showings is a sculptural procession of amalgamated ceramic, steel, copper, and resin that compound to articulate a body in various stages of protection and metamorphosis. Within this material drama, this existential narrative navigates the various ways in which monstrosity reveals a cultural understanding of a body and its corporeal dread.

Devin Wilson  |  The Pigeon Has Landed The Pigeon Has Landed explores the pigeon as the symbolic nexus of capitalism. Serving as both a reflection on obsolete technology in delivery services and an exploration of pigeons as agents of militarized spying, the project confronts the whimsical yet unsettling conspiracy theory that posits "Birds Aren't Real." Through the use of digital fabrication and advanced engineering processes, the work in the exhibition explores the satirical nature of internet meme culture which produces, replicates, and disseminates fictional narratives and misinformation.

University Art Gallery | 712 Arts Plaza CAC Gallery | Contemporary Arts Center | Bldg 721 Room Gallery | Art Culture and Technology | Bldg 727

Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday | 12–6pm Email: [email protected] Please follow @uag_ucirvine on Instagram or visit www.uag.arts.uci.edu

Media Contact: Sasha Ussef, Associate Director [email protected]

Parking: Mesa Parking Structure 4002 Mesa Road, Irvine, CA 92617 Price: $15/day or $4/hr After turning onto Mesa Road, take the second right and drive towards the first floor kiosk of the parking structure. Or take a right at the first stop sign to pass through the second floor kiosk. If there is no attendant stationed, visit parking.uci.edu/pay and enter the code 3M270 to register your vehicle. Please park in an unmarked spot. The third floor is the most ideal, but any floor can be parked on. Cross the bridge that attaches from the third floor to the Art Courtyard.

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