Master's Thesis

To qualify for the Master of Social Work degree, a candidate must: “Complete satisfactorily a comprehensive examination requirement (non-thesis) in the quarter of graduation or write and defend successfully a thesis.” (Graduate School Handbook, http://www.gradsch.ohio-state.edu/).

The Graduate Studies Committee of the college urges all masters students to seriously consider the choice of the thesis option. It similarly encourages participation on the part of all graduate faculty members in thesis advising and service on examination committees. Each student considering the thesis option will be advised, supported and assisted by his/her advisor in the formulation of a research topic and in the search for a thesis committee chairperson who will commit him/herself to this role.

Proposal Approval. When the examination committee has approved the thesis proposal, including a feasible plan of work, the chairperson will formally communicate its action of approval to the Graduate Studies Committee. Regular first year master's students should complete this process by April 15. Students who enter the graduate program with advanced standing should complete the thesis proposal process by October 5 in their second quarter of the program.

Following approval, the student generally works independently with the thesis chair's guidance
to conduct the research.

Credit Hours: A student may earn up to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 quarter hours for a thesis. All students considering a thesis should remember that if they take thesis hours but do not complete the thesis, the hours taken will not count toward the 90 hours needed to complete the MSW degree.

Thesis Submission: The student must submit to the Graduate School no later than one week before commencement: thesis approval form, approved thesis, five abstracts and payment of microfilming and binding fees. Title page of the thesis and the abstract must be signed by the chairperson.

Resources for Thesis Research: Students doing theses are eligible to apply for funding to support their research with the Merriss Cornell Graduate Research Scholarships. Applications are due in April for competitive evaluation each year.

Change of Plan: A student may change from one plan to the other, provided this change is approved by the advisor and the chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Graduate School is notified of this change in writing. However, hours of 998 (thesis research) completed under the thesis option will not apply toward the requirements of the non-thesis program.

Additional Graduation Requirements: See Graduate School Handbook, (http://www.gradsch.ohio-state.edu/) for details of additional graduation requirements.