Thesis Options and Procedures

Thesis Options and Procedures

There are two options of graduate study for some degree programs at JSU: the Non-Thesis Option and the Thesis Option. The Thesis Option is available to students in these master's degree programs:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Biology
  • Criminal Justice
  • English
  • Geographic Information Science and Technology
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Music

A student is awarded six semester hours of graduate credit for a successfully completed thesis, by enrolling in 599 two times and receiving a grade of “P” in each 599 class. The requirements for the individual degree programs are listed under “Minimum Requirements for Degree” in each program section of this catalog.

For students choosing the thesis option for their degrees (if available), the thesis defense serves as the comprehensive examination.

Thesis Timeline:

Prior to enrolling in the first three semester hours of thesis, 599:

  1. Thesis students should contact Graduate Studies to receive an orientation to the thesis process and a copy of the current Thesis Guide. This orientation can be completed either in person or via email. The purpose of the orientation is to provide the thesis student with information concerning required forms, due dates, and to answer any questions concerning thesis options and/or procedure. For further information concerning this orientation, please contact:
    LaRilda VanSandt
    vansandt@jsu.edu
    322 Angle Hall
    (256) 782-5345
  2. Thesis students must submit a Thesis Option form, approved and signed by the student’s Thesis Committee, to Graduate Studies for approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Thesis Option form is a Dynamic Form and is available online on the Student Resources page.

Prior to completing the first three semester hours of thesis, 599:

  1. Thesis students must submit a Prospectus for Thesis form, approved and signed by the student’s Thesis Committee, to Graduate Studies for approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Prospectus for Thesis form is a Dynamic Form and is available online on the Student Resources page.

Prior to completing the last three semester hours of thesis, 599:

  1. Thesis students must complete and successfully defend their theses. Thesis submission due dates may be found on the Graduate Studies website.
  2. When the thesis student has successfully defended the thesis, the thesis student must submit the Thesis Approval Form to the thesis committee for their signatures. The Thesis Approval form is a dynamic form and will be routed to the Dean of Graduate Studies as the final step of the approval process. The thesis student will be contacted by Graduate Studies to submit their approved thesis manuscript to Digital Commons as the final step of the approval process. Upon completing this process, the student will receive a grade of Pass (P) or Fail (F) for the last three semester hours of thesis, 599. A grade of “P” may not be assigned to the last three semester hours of thesis, 599, until the completed thesis has been successfully submitted to Digital Commons for publication. Thesis students should refer to the Thesis Guide for the step-by-step process for the development and submission of their manuscript.