CyberOrientation@JSU.......Masters' Thesis/Project Approval Process
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Students in selected masters programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition and ability to select, organize and apply knowledge through a thesis or project.

It is the student’s responsibility to submit materials to the department and college in time for the chair and dean to review them so they can reach the Division of Graduate Studies by the deadline.
(>Click here for dates & deadlines<).


Please make sure your defense is scheduled early enough in the semester to allow you to complete the requirements.

Each student should obtain a copy of the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis”
or“Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Project”.


Click here for a copy of the "Committee of Defense Results" form.

Defense and Approval

Timeline-The Division of Graduate Studies issues a calendar each year which indicates the LAST DAY for satisfying all graduation requirements.  The Division of Graduate Studies encourages students to submit their manuscripts well before the deadline.

Scheduling-The chairperson of the committee for the candidate for a Master’s degree, in concurrence with the other members of the committee, shall adhere to the following process.  The chairperson will notify the members of the committee, the Department Chair, the College Dean or designee, the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and other appropriate persons of the place, date and time of the defense.

Your Defense-         Basic Process for the Defense
  1. The candidate presents his/her argument, summarizing the main points of the study. The chairperson then allows other members of the committee to direct questions to the candidate concerning the defense.
  2. Following the candidate’s presentation and the fielding of questions, the candidate is excused from the room so that the chair and committee may discuss and subsequently vote on the candidate’s success or failure.
  3. The candidate is escorted into the room to receive the results of the committee’s vote.
  4. If successful, the candidate will secure the signatures of members of the committee on the approval page,  and ‘Form B’, and any other necessary signatures.
Committee Report of Defense Results Form

This formis completed upon the successful defense of the thesis/project before the student’s committee.  This form must be submitted prior to the Clearance for Graduation”.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)
THESIS: white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free bond papers.  Photocopies should be made only from the original.
PROJECT:  Please submit one (1) bound copy of the project, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free bond paper.  Spiral binding is a suitable method for meeting this requirement.

Final Clearance” can now be completed.

Student’s Responsibility
  1. Choosing a chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
  2. Choosing the members of the thesis/project committee in conjunction with the chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
  3. Meeting with the chairperson and setting a schedule for completion of the thesis/project in a timely manner.
  4. Keeping on schedule.
  5. Turning in all thesis/project material to chairperson typed in correct format.
  6. Knowing and meeting all deadlines.
  7. Filing all forms in a timely manner.

 Advisor and Committee’s Responsibility
    It is the chairperson’s and committee members’ responsibility to know policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and the major department relative to the thesis/project process

    In addition the chair is also responsible for..

  1. Ensuring that the student is aware of the rules, regulations and policies of the Division of Graduate Studies and the department.
  2. Assisting the student in the formation of a committee.
  3. Meeting with the student on a regular basis.
  4. Keeping the scheduled appointments.
  5. Ensuring that the student’s work is properly documented and not plagiarized.
  6. Scheduling the prospectus hearing, if required, and the final defense of the thesis/project.
  7. Notifying the committee members and the Department chair of the place, time & date of the prospectus hearing.
  8. Notifying the Graduate Dean, College Dean, Department chair and committee members of the place, time & date of the final defense.
Committee’s Responsibility

It is the committee members’ responsibility to …
  1. Attend the prospectus hearing and final defense.
  2. Read the student’s work throughout the writing process.
  3. Provide written feedback for correcting and/or improving the thesis/project.
Department Chair/Program Director’s Responsibility

It is the department chair/program director’s responsibility for knowing and enforcing policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and department/program.

The chair/director is also responsible for....
  1. Ensuring that the graduate faculty of the department/program know and adhere to the policies, rules and regulations of the Division of Graduate Studies.
  2. Keeping the faculty abreast of rule, policy and procedure changes from the Division of Graduate Studies.
  3. Serving as a liaison between the student and the advisor, if necessary.
  4. Ensuring the thesis/project advisor and all committee members are qualified to serve.

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Last Revised:  November 2007