Completing a Thesis

Advising and Thesis Committees

In addition to the information contained below, the Office of Graduate Studies has produced two other documents relevant to students completing research-based degree programs.

Please review this important documentation.

The Graduate Dean appoints a master thesis committee whose members have been recommended by the student, faculty advisor, and the department head. Students should have a thesis committee appointed by the end of their second semester. Master degree committees must have a minimum of three voting members, at least two of whom must be from the home or allied department. If a co-advisor is assigned, an additional faculty member from the home or allied department must be added to the committee. Off-campus members can be assigned to the committee with either voting or non-voting status. Students who choose to have a minor program at the master's level must select a representative from their minor area of study to serve on the Committee. Minor representatives must be full-time members of CSM faculty.

The Graduate Dean appoints a doctoral thesis committee whose members have been recommended by the student, faculty advisor and department head. Students should have a thesis committee appointed by the end of the second semester. The committee must have a minimum of five voting members that fulfill the following criteria:

  1. The committee must include an advisor who will direct the research. If two advisors are appointed, they will be considered co-advisors and shall be voting members of the committee.
  2. Either the advisor or a least one co-advisor must be a full-time permanent faculty member in the home department, division or program.
  3. The committee must have a least four other voting members in addition to the advisor or co-advisors, with the majority of the voting members being full-time permanent CSM faculty.
  4. At least two of the "additional" committee members must be knowledgeable in the technical areas of the thesis, and at least one of them must be a member of the student’s home or allied department, division or program.
  5. If a minor field is designated, the third "additional" committee member must be an expert in that field. In the case of an interdisciplinary degree, the third committee member must be an expert in one of the fields represented in the research.
  6. The fourth additional committee member must be from outside the home and allied departments or divisions and the minor field if applicable.
  7. If off-campus members are nominated for voting status, the committee request form must include a brief resume of the education and/or experience that demonstrates their competence to judge the quality and validity of the thesis.

Thesis Topic and Format

Master and Doctoral students select a thesis topic with their advisors' guidance and then submit a written research proposal to the committee at least one year before the thesis defense.

When the committee approves the topic, the student obtains a copy of the Thesis Writer's Guide from the Graduate School. The Guide is a set of guidelines for writing and producing final copies of the thesis.

Defending the Thesis

Both Master and Doctoral candidates must present their thesis work at a public defense. The student will coordinate the date, time, and place for the defense with the committee and department. Students must have an approved Admission to Candidacy form on file with the Graduate Office before the defense can be scheduled.

Post-Defense Paperwork and Approvals

After a successful thesis defense, and final revisions are made, the student's advisor and committee send a Statement of Work Completion form to the Graduate School. The student must submit a copy of the thesis to the Graduate School for a final format approval before making copies and submitting to the Library.

Please review the Graduation Requirements for a list of deadlines to be sure you meet the timeframes for your intended graduation.

Important Events and Deadlines

August 24
Graduate School Orientation

August 25
Classes Begin

August 28
Last day to register for classes without a $100 late fee (Continuing Students only)

September 3
Last day to register for classes

September 9
Last day for students registered Summer to checkout of program without Fall registration

September 22
Graduation Application (Approved Admission to Candidacy must be on file prior to submission of Graduation Application)

October 22 & 23
Graduation Salute

November 16
Final Thesis Format Approval

November 20
Checkout & Work Completion Form

December 9
Graduation Practice

December 18
Fall Commencement