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Steps
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Time Period
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CONSIDER: Begin thinking about a possible thesis/project as soon as possible. As you go through your classes, consider topics/areas for reviewing literature that may provide a background for a thesis/project.
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Beginning of program.
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PLAN: Talk with your advisor about your thesis/project idea. When you have completed 18 credits, make sure that your Application for Admission to Candidacy form and Advisory Committee forms are filed. The application for graduation must be filed six months prior to graduation. |
1-2 semesters before completing all courses except for thesis/project units.
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WRITE: Working with your advisor-- complete a three chapter proposal following program and university guidelines. After your advisor approves your proposal, ask two other faculty members if they are willing to serve on your committee. If your project/thesis requires the use of human subjects, you will need to work with your advisor in filing an application with the Institutional Research Board.
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Last semester of courses, prior to enrolling for project/thesis credit.
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DEFEND: Once your advisor has approved the proposal, contact each of your committee members and give them an opportunity to review your proposal. Set up a meeting with the entire committee (including the advisor who serves as the chair of the committee) to defend your proposal. Give committee members at least two weeks to review your proposal before the proposal defense. The proposal defense is generally done by conference call.
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Last semester of courses, prior to enrolling for project/thesis credit.
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APPROVAL TO PROCEED: Your committee will either accept or reject your proposal; typically, the committee accepts the proposal with modifications.
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Prior to enrollment for project/thesis credit.
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The proposal (with agreed upon modifications) becomes a contract between you and your committee. In essence, it is the "syllabus" for the 6 credits you will earn of project or thesis credits.
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ENROLL: Register in EDTECH 591 Project or EDTECH 593 Thesis for 1 - 6 credits for your project or thesis. Students should estimate the time needed to complete the project/thesis and register accordingly. Remember, you must be enrolled the semester that you plan on graduating.
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Semester you plan to take project/thesis credits.
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FINAL WRITING: Completing the thesis/project typically takes at least one to two semesters. During that time, you work primarily with your advisor, keeping him/her informed of your progress.
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Last one to two semesters of program.
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FINAL DEFENSE: Once your advisor has reviewed the completed thesis/project, you should again meet with each of your committee members to receive feedback prior to your final defense. Once this has been done, you will need to schedule a final defense meeting with all members of your committee. Again, give the committee members at least two weeks to review your completed thesis/project prior to the meeting. Be aware of the Graduate College deadlines for defending your project/thesis which vary according to semester calendars, but typically occur about mid-April and mid-November. For the current semester deadlines, check the University calendar.
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Final semester of program.
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FINAL ACCEPTANCE: Your committee will either accept or reject your project/thesis; typically, the committee accepts the project/thesis with modifications.
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Final semester of program.
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EDITS & FILING: Any changes or additions to the thesis/project must be done right away as you will need to submit the completed product to Jerry Foster for final department review. When changes have been approved, you forward paper to the Graduate College on 25% cotton paper.
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Final semester of program.
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Relax and CELEBRATE--you're through!
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As you can see, this process takes "time." For most people, it takes about a year to write the proposal, have it approved and revised, complete the project or study, and have it approved and revised.
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