All Master of Arts students have a Final Project requirement, which can be fullfilled either by writing a thesis (Thesis Option) or undertaking a Practicum project (Practice Option). This page provides information about the Thesis Option and provides links to related resources.
Guidelines
Checklist
Registration Form
Thesis Option FAQs
Q: What is the Thesis?
The thesis is a major research project that is completed by students to meet their final requirement for a MA at GPIA. It may take the form of a research paper (usually around 45-60 pages) or a media project with supporting documentation. Examples of past theses of particular merit can be found on the GPIA website. The thesis is written during the final two semesters of study at GPIA.
Q: What are the requirements for the thesis option?
A: To complete the thesis option, a student must submit a thesis that has been approved and signed by two readers, and that meets all requirements for formatting and “depositing” (that is, submitting a final version of) a thesis. In addition, two for-credit courses are required. The first is the Thesis Workshop – a seminar that is discussed below. The second is Thesis Supervision – akin to an independent study. Students enroll for Thesis Supervision with their first reader (with a few rare exceptions).
Q: Who should select the thesis option?
A: Two groups of students most frequently select the thesis option. First, many students who write a thesis have had significant field experiences that raised questions they would like to pursue through more formal and sustained study. Second, the thesis option is ideal for students who consider themselves on an academic track and would like to pursue a PhD, or who would like to pursue a research career in a non-academic organization such as a think tank.
Q: When do I have to define my thesis topic?
A: Thesis topics are constantly evolving, but if you are interested in writing a thesis, it is never too early to think about what topic you might pursue. Many students find that their experience in International Field Programs sparks interests that lead them to a thesis topic, and benefit greatly if they are already thinking about their thesis in the summer prior to their participation in the Thesis Workshop.
Q: What is the structure of the thesis workshop?
A: The Thesis Workshop is a small seminar (limited to twelve students) that is taken in the penultimate semester of a student’s study at GPIA. Many students come in with a general interest in a topic but without a clear vision of how to define a research problem. The aim of the Thesis Workshop is therefore to guide students through the process of refining their research questions, identifying relevant sources of data, and constructing their argument. The final product of the Workshop is a Thesis Proposal which will provide a framework for writing the thesis in the following semester.
Q: What do readers do? Who can be a reader on the thesis?
A: During the course of the Thesis Workshop students must identify their first and second reader on the thesis. The readers will consult with the student during the course of research and writing, provide feedback on drafts, and ultimately approve the thesis for final submission. The first reader must be a full time member of the GPIA faculty. Ideally it is a person with expertise in the field being examined in the thesis who can offer substantive feedback on the project. The second reader does not need to be a member of the GPIA faculty. Many students choose for their second reader an individual outside of the program who has topical knowledge of the subject matter, and who can help a student with access to specific data, or provide unique practical insight into a topic.
Q: Where do I get detailed information about the thesis option, including information about deadlines, formatting, and depositing requirements?
A: Details on the timeline for thesis writing, for formatting a final thesis, and for depositing the thesis can be found in the Thesis Guidelines and the Thesis Timeline.
Thesis timeline for students planning to graduate in May 2013
The following schedule pertains to students who have selected the thesis option and are planning to graduate in May 2013. It assumes that these students will be enrolled in the Thesis Workshop in Fall 2012, in Thesis Supervision in Spring 2013, and will deposit their theses in May 2013.
*Please note that we are now asking students to identify a first and second reader for the thesis in November 2012. As noted below, a completed thesis registration form is required to enroll in Thesis Supervision for Spring 2013.
**Please note that the submission schedule for the thesis assumes a very tight review and revision schedule. Ideally, drafts will be turned in earlier.
April 2012: Register for Thesis Workshop.
November 2012: Current Thesis Workshop students submit completed thesis Registration Form to the Department Secretary in order to get permission to register for Thesis Supervision in Spring 2013.
December 15, 2012: Thesis Proposal completed for Thesis Workshop and submitted to first and second readers.
April 1, 2013: Thesis draft submitted to first and second readers.
April 15, 2013: Revised draft submitted to first and second readers.
May 1, 2013: Deposit of thesis with completed thesis Checklist
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