Master’s Plan A
**Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2022**
Plan A (Thesis)
Students choosing Plan A will complete an original thesis, demonstrating a mastery of advanced research, analytic, and discursive skills. Plan A students must complete six units of REL 700 (thesis research). A maximum of 3 credits per semester for a total of 6 credits of REL 700, usually taken over two semesters is required. Students must be admitted to candidacy and must complete 12 credits before they can register for REL 700.
Candidates who accumulate the maximum number of thesis research credit hours but fail to complete the thesis must register for a minimum of 1 credit hour of thesis research at the beginning of the term in which all requirements for the degree will be completed.
Advancement to Candidacy: Candidacy may be granted after completing 12 credits toward the degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and the completion of the language requirement. Each candidate must form a committee of three members of the graduate faculty, one of whom is from outside the department. Faculty members reserve the right not to serve on a thesis committee.
After submission of a completed thesis to the committee for its consideration, a candidate must undergo an oral examination on the subject of the thesis. Once the final revisions have been submitted, the majority vote of the committee members, including the chairperson, must approve the thesis. A candidate whose thesis does not pass may be re-examined once, provided the thesis passes committee review within one calendar year of the initial examination.
The electronic submission of the thesis is required. Submit a pdf file online via ProQuest ETD. These must be submitted by the specified deadline (see the “Calendar”). One bound copy of the approved thesis is required and shall go on file in the department office.