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The
thesis should demonstrate the student’s capacity to carry out
independent research. The research project will be closely related to
general educational objectives and should provide the student with the
opportunity to contribute to knowledge in psychology. The student
should begin to think seriously about a thesis problem as soon as
possible in his/her graduate career. Only for the Biopsychology
MA degree requires the completion of a thesis. The Applied
Developmental MA provides students with an option to complete either
a practicum or thesis. Students considering pursuing a
doctorate should strongly consider the thesis option. (please see the MA
Handbook for more information). |
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The Thesis Process |
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Selecting a Thesis
Advisor (Chair) and Committee |
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The Thesis
Advisor (Chair) works closely with the student in developing and focusing
the research problem or question; writing the thesis proposal; collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting the data; and writing the final version of the
thesis. The thesis advisor will help to choose the members of the
Thesis Committee. The thesis committee consists of three persons,
including the thesis advisor. The thesis advisor must be a full-time
faculty member in the Department of Psychology. At least one of the
remaining two members must also hold a full-time faculty appointment in the Department of Psychology. The third
member is part of the Mason community but not a member of the
Psychology Department. The task of this group is to provide advice and
consultation at all stages of the thesis, particularly in the development
of the proposal. With the guidance of the thesis advisor, the student
should formally request faculty members to serve on their committee. Program coordinator's must approve each committee makeup and may do so via
E-Mail. A copy of this approval should be forwarded to
Darby Wiggins in the Graduate Programs Office.
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Registering for Thesis
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Students completing a thesis are required to
register for a minimum of 1 credit of Psyc 798 (Thesis Proposal) and 1
credit of Psyc 799 (Thesis) for minimum grand total of 2 hours. When a student
is ready to register, they should visit the Graduate Programs Office to
complete the paperwork. |
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Thesis Proposal
Presentation |
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The thesis proposal must be presented to the thesis
committee for approval. This presentation is open to anyone who
wishes to attend. The student
should discuss the procedure for this presentation with his/her thesis
advisor. Once the student has proposed, they should have all committee
members as well as their program coordinator sign the
Thesis Proposal Cover
Sheet
and forward this
along with a copy of the proposal to the Graduate Programs Office. Once
the student has proposed, they are eligible to register for Psyc 799
(Thesis) the term immediately following the on in which the student
defended. |
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Thesis Defense |
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An oral defense of the final thesis to the
thesis committee is required. The defense is concerned with the problem,
design, method, interpretation, and knowledge in the general area of the
thesis. The defense is conducted by the thesis advisor. Successful
completion of the defense is reflected by the signing of the
Thesis Signature Sheets.
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Thesis Formatting |
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Theses are subject to format review by the
Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator
1 to 2 months before final submission. During the format review,
the Coordinator examines the component parts of the thesis (the
preliminary pages, figures and tables, if any, and the text) for
compliance with GMU regulations for appearance and layout. Finally,
students learn more about the benefits of the new electronic, Edt@Mason
submission method.
*It
is highly recommended that you submit your work for format review (even if
it is not your final version) as early as possible so as to avoid
end-of-semester delays. |
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Thesis Submission |
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Theses are submitted via the new electronic (edt@Mason) format. For more information on dissertation submission methods, please visit
the
Dissertation and Thesis Submission webpage
Additionally, the Psychology Department
requires that you provide them with an bound copy of your entire copy of
your thesis, including signed signature sheets. Spiral binding is
recommended.
Submission Deadlines are as follows: 3 P.M. on
the Friday before the last day of Spring Semester classes as published in
the
Schedule of Classes
for May
graduation and participation in Commencement Ceremony and 3 P.M. on the
Friday before the last day of Summer Term or Fall Semester classes for
August or January graduation, respectively.
For more information on due dates, please visit the
CHSS
web page. |
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