Thesis

As part of the program requirements, each student must complete a Master's Project or a Thesis. For those students interested in pursuing research or doctoral work, the Thesis is recommended.

Students looking for Master's Projects or Thesis ideas should consult the Project Opportunities page and check with Professional Organizations and Potential Employers, or their faculty advisor for available opportunities.

The Thesis topic must be approved by the program and filed with the graduate dean no later than the semester preceding that in which the candidate expects to receive the degree.

The Thesis topic should be one that will further the student's educational development by exercising research or other skills that will help the student keep abreast of the field and enable the student to pursue independent work. The Thesis topic is formulated by the student in consultation with the advisor and submitted to the program for approval according to normal program procedures.

The Thesis must be completed and in the hands of the examining committee no later than eight weeks before commencement. After the Thesis has been accepted by the examining committee and after the candidate has passed the oral examination, two copies of the final, letter-perfect Thesis are prepared and submitted to the appropriate graduate office. Two copies of an abstract of not more than 500 words are included with the copies of the Thesis. Students electing the Thesis option should consult the Style Guide and Instructions for Preparing Theses and Dissertations for guidance available in the college offices or on the College of the Arts website at at http://www.kent.edu/fpa under the “Graduate Programs” heading at the top of the page.

Each student writing a Thesis is required to register continuously for Thesis I (IAKM 61199) for a total of 6 credits. A student who has completed the required 6 hours of Thesis I is expected thereafter to register continuously for Thesis II (IAKM 61299) each semester, including summer, until all degree requirements are met. No more than 6 hours of Thesis I credit may be counted toward completion of degree requirements. The student should make certain that the topic has been approved and must register for Thesis writing not later than the last semester the student is in residence.

Thesis Handbook
Thesis Elements
Approval of Thesis Topic Form
College Thesis Preparation Guide (MS Word Document)
 Thesis Preparation Approval Form
University Master's Thesis Defense Guidelines
Report of Thesis Final Examination