A master’s thesis is a substantial written project related to a specific area within a student’s field of study. The thesis is not required for the M.A. degree in CMLL, though all CMLL master’s students have the option of completing a thesis. In particular, the department recommends a thesis for students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. in the same or a similar field of study as the M.A.
Given the scope of the thesis, students are encouraged to begin consideration of whether to complete the thesis or non-thesis option in their first two semesters of graduate work in CMLL. Students should also begin to determine the professor they would like to work with as their major professor at this time, and to begin planning out the thesis through close consultation with that professor. Students wishing to complete a thesis are encouraged to work with their major professor through DIS courses and thesis writing, in order to complete the thesis in a timely manner.
Along with working closely with the major professor, students should maintain contact with the other members of the examination committee to ensure that all committee members are aware of the student’s progress, and will have a chance to read the thesis prior to the thesis defense.
The Office of the Graduate School requires that the thesis be completed and approved by the comprehensive examination committee at the time of the comprehensive examination (around the middle of the student’s final semester of study). Students should consult the academic calendar to determine the date by which the thesis defense must be completed.
If a student chooses to switch from the thesis to the non-thesis option, the student will need to work with the graduate coordinator to file new paperwork with the Office of the Graduate School, in order to allow the student to graduate on time by completing the comprehensive examination instead of the thesis defense.