Masters Thesis
What is the thesis?
The Master’s Thesis is an original, book-length work of rhetorical analysis or study of professional writing genres, such as guides, handbooks, or scientific manuals. “Book-length” is a necessarily vague term, but you, your director, and your thesis committee need to agree on the scope, unity, and length of your major project. Because your degree is an academic credential, your thesis should include a preface or other section explaining the influence of academic study (courses, readings, mentors, etc.) on the making of your thesis.
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When do you write it?
Begin planning the form and content of your thesis as soon as possible in your degree work. Consult with the Director of Rhetoric and Writing to begin the thesis process. By the beginning of the second year of courses, you should form a thesis committee consisting of a director (a full-time professor in the professional writing faculty) and two other graduate faculty selected in consultation with your director. (Preferably, one member of the committee should come from outside the writing faculty.) This committee will help you create this major project, conduct your thesis defense, and give your Master’s work its final approval.
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When and how do you register for thesis hours?
Once you begin writing the thesis, enroll in English 599: Master’s Thesis under your director. Once you have begun registering for 599, university regulations require you to maintain continuous enrollment in it, with a minimum of 1 hour per semester (excluding summers, unless you finish in a summer semester) until you successfully defend your thesis. Six hours of 599 are required for your degree and count as part of your 34 credit hours, but no more than 6 hours will be accepted for it.
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How do you "propose" your thesis?
All thesis writers create a formal proposal or prospectus, and rework it with a thesis committee. Whatever your organization or argumentative style, the proposal should clarify your basic idea, intention, and methodology, describe the work’s contents as specifically as possible, address the project’s public or personal significance, and outline a schedule for its inception and completion.
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What formats should you follow?
The department requires that you follow The MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 6th ed, by Joseph Gibaldi (New York: MLA, 1998) on matters of general or scholarly style. The UNM Office of Graduate Studies, which has final approval and grants your degree, has strict guidelines about the format in which you submit your thesis. Consult these online here. Further help is available in the Office of Graduate Studies from the staff member who reviews theses for final approval.
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How do you "defend" your thesis?
Your defense will be a public appearance, advertised in advance and typically lasting an hour, at which your committee and others ask you questions about your thesis itself and your graduate work in general. Your defense must happen in advance of the deadline for submitting your thesis. You are responsible for scheduling the defense date in consultation with your committee.
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How do you officially submit your thesis?
After successfully defending your Thesis, you should prepare two final copies and supporting documents in the style required by the Office of Graduate Studies. This office also has strict deadlines for the submission of theses if students plan to graduate in the same semester: November 15 (December graduation), April 15 (May graduation), and July 15 (Summer graduation).
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How are you graded?
The three members of your committee will examine your thesis and its defense and recommend grades of “Pass with Distinction,” “Pass,” “Pass with Minor Revisions” (including appropriate guidelines from the readers), or “Fail.” Students who fail the Thesis defense may resubmit their work after revisions supervised by their committee. Those who fail a second time will be dismissed from the program without a degree.
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To begin the thesis process, consult with the Director of Professional Writing:
Chuck Paine
Director of Rhetoric and Writing
Humanities 365
277-3528
cpaine@unm.edu
Department of English
