MS Thesis Program Path
Welcome to the MS Thesis program! Here are the major milestones for you to pass on your way through the program. All forms should be submitted to Department/Grad Staff Assistant Malina Salman, unless otherwise noted. For full details, refer to the Graduate Catalog.
MS Program Plan
Start of semester
Thesis Advisor: Select an academic advisor and arrange the initial meeting.
Thesis Topic: Select an MS thesis topic in consultation with your advisor.
Submit Plan: Draft the MS Program Plan with your advisor's guidance and submit it by the fourth week of your first semester.
Revise Plan: Contact the department/grad staff assistant to submit a revised plan and get approval for any course changes or a switch to the Thesis track.
Thesis Research
Each semester
In addition to your planned coursework, you will conduct thesis research, which will be mentored by your advisor.
Thesis Credits: You must spread the required nine credits of CIV 599 (MS Thesis) over a minimum of two semesters. Enroll in CIV 599 with the advisor who is mentoring your thesis research.
Thesis Research: Schedule regular meetings with your advisor to ensure satisfactory progress and grades on your MS thesis research.
Written Thesis: Write the thesis in accordance with the format requirements specified by the Graduate School.
Apply for Graduation
Final semester of course work
Adhere to deadlines to ensure name appears in the commencement publication.
Thesis Defense
End of final semester
- Discuss with your advisor how to organize your thesis examining committee, following the regulations in the Graduate Catalog. Eight weeks prior to defense, confirm the committee with the department/grad staff assistant.
- Six weeks prior to defense, contact department/grad staff assistant to book a room.
- Three weeks prior to defense, review thesis submission guidelines and submit the thesis to the examining committee.
- Defend your thesis.
- Your thesis examining committee will vote on the defense and verbally inform you of the result. If revisions are requested, you are expected to revise the thesis until it meets the committee's expectations.
Post-Defense
Post-defense
Thesis Signature Page: Please review the Signature Page Instructions and send the request for signatures through Adobe Signature Page - MS. By signing the document, the dissertation examining committee approves your thesis.
Submit Thesis: Submit the final digital copy of your thesis to ProQuest.
Clear for Graduation:
To be cleared for graduation, you must submit your ProQuest thesis submission receipt to the department/grad staff assistant. Your graduation will be cleared after
- this receipt is submitted
- all your grades are posted
- your course history matches your Program Plan.
Awarding Degree
Upon Graduate School clearance
For information on degree posting, receiving your diploma, or requesting a letter of completion, please follow the link below.