An M.A. thesis should be a self-contained work of scholarship that shows the student's ability to analyze primary and secondary sources, evaluate existing interpretations, and offer new interpretations. There is no set size for theses. A rule of thumb is that they should be somewhat longer than a substantial research paper (typically more than 35 pages and fewer than 100). The language of both the thesis and the defense is ordinarily English, although the Graduate Studies Committee may, under special circumstances, permit Russian to be used in one or both portions.
Timeline
The thesis should be completed no later than the students' sixth quarter of enrollment in graduate study, prior to the M.A. examination; we recommend that it be completed prior to the sixth quarter, if possible. In any case, students must submit complete drafts of their theses approved by their advisors to their M.A. committees prior to their M.A. examinations, and at least one week prior to the defense. Students must consult with the members of their committees well in advance to determine what their deadlines will be. The draft of the thesis must be approved by all the committee members prior to the M.A. examination with the departmental Thesis Draft Approval form. This is only a conditional approval; the committee members indicate their final approval by signing the Graduate School's Thesis Approval form.
Thesis Topics
Students must choose their thesis topic in consultation with their advisors and should meet with them frequently during the research and writing process. Students are also expected to discuss their thesis with each member of the M.A. committee prior to the defense and to respond to their suggestions.
Defending Your Thesis
Once the thesis is complete, the student must defend it at a one-hour oral examination. The language of this defense is ordinarily English, although the Graduate Studies Committee may, under special circumstances, permit Russian to be used. The Graduate Studies Coordinator, in consultation with the Graduate Studies Chair, is responsible for scheduling the defense. If students or their advisors have a preference for a specific date, they should inform the Graduate Studies Coordinator early in the quarter. A grade of High Pass on the thesis and defense is required for admission to the Ph.D. program; this grade is given when the M.A. committee judges that the student's thesis gives evidence of strong intellectual faculties, scholarly potential, and independent, original, and/or creative thinking, rather than simply the ability to reproduce learned material.