Thesis Track Guidelines
I. DESCRIPTION
The Thesis Track is the most writing-intensive of the three available tracks. A master’s thesis is similar to a doctoral dissertation, but it is generally shorter and more narrowly focused. For that reason, this track is strongly recommended for students interested in pursuing further research in a doctoral program.
A thesis gives students the valuable opportunity to delve into interesting research for greater depth. Some employers prefer students with a thesis paper in their portfolio because it showcases their writing skills, authoritative awareness of the field and ambition to learn.
II. COMMITTEE
After passing the Prospectus Defense, each M.A. candidate establishes a Thesis Committee in consultation with his/her advisor. The committee will consist of the graduate advisor (who is also the committee chair), at least one internal faculty and one external faculty from another Texas A&M University department — more than one external faculty must be approved by the director of graduate studies.
III. THESIS FORMAT
Though every thesis project is different, suitable theses should be between 40-75 pages long and include an introduction, three to five chapters, a conclusion, a bibliography and appendices (when appropriate).
Students must follow OGAPS’ instructions for formatting and depositing their thesis.
IV. ORAL DEFENSE
Before the Oral Defense, the candidate must:
- Submit Degree Plan to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGAPS) in the semester prior to graduation (see OGAPS calendar for deadlines).
- Schedule date and time of the defense in consultation with the supervisor, committee members and director of graduate studies. Thesis oral defenses are scheduled for 90 minutes.
- Submit Research Proposal Approval Form at least 30 working days before the defense.
- Apply for degree and pay graduation fee.
- Check to make sure degree program and advisory committee are up to date, and course work is complete.
- Submit thesis to committee at least two weeks before the defense.
- Submit Request and Announcement of the Final Examination at least 10 working days before the defense (see OGAPS calendar for deadlines).
Defense Procedure
1. Candidate and committee meet briefly.
2. Candidate leaves the room.
3. Committee discusses any concerns and decides the order of questioning.
4. Candidate comes back into the room.
5. Candidate gives a 10-minute statement, summarizing the major arguments of the thesis.
6. Committee members ask a round of questions. Time permitting, the committee asks a second round of questions.
7. Candidate leaves the room.
8. Committee discusses the thesis and defense, identify necessary revisions (if any), and votes on pass/fail:
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pass with no revisions (or minor revisions such as formatting or grammar) |
| 2A | Pass with revisions to be approved by the supervisor |
| 2B | Pass with revisions to be approved by the committee |
| 3A | Fail with revisions |
| 3B | Fail |
9. Candidate comes back into the room.
10. Supervisor (or director of graduate studies) informs the candidate of pass/fail decision and of the requested revisions (if any):
| Description | Action |
|---|---|
| Pass with no revisions | Committee and supervisor sign the Report of the Final Examination and the Written Thesis Approval Form; candidate completes revisions (if any), submits the Copyright and Availability Form and deposits thesis. |
| Pass with revisions to be approved by the supervisor | Committee signs the Report of the Final Examination and the Written Thesis Approval Form; candidate completes revisions and submits to supervisor for approval; supervisor signs the Report of the Final Examination and the Written Thesis Approval Form; candidate submits the Copyright and Availability Form and deposits thesis. |
| Pass with revisions to be approved by the committee | Candidate completes revisions and submits to committee and supervisor for approval; committee and supervisor sign the Report of the Final Examination and the Written Thesis Approval Form; candidate submits the Copyright and Availability Form and uploads thesis. |
| Fail with revisions | Candidate completes revisions and submits to committee and supervisor; candidate schedules a second defense, following the steps listed above. |
| Fail | Candidate does not receive the MA degree and does not deposit thesis. |
11. The defense concludes
Degree Plan For Thesis Track
Required Foundational Courses (First Year): 9 credit hours
| Course | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PERF 600 | Graduate Scholarship in Performance Studies | 3 |
| PERF 601 | Theories in Performance Studies | 3 |
| PERF 602 | Research Methods in Performance Studies | 3 |
Required Track Courses (Second Year): 6 hours
| PERF 691 | Research for Thesis | 6 |
Elective Internal Courses: 12-15 hours
| PERF 603-682 FILM 600-6941 | [TBD] [TBD] | Up to 15 |
| PERF 6852 | Directed Studies | Up to 3 |
| PERF 689 | Topics in Performance Studies | Up to 6 |
Elective External Courses3: 6-9 hours
| [TBD] | [TBD] | Up to 9 |
| _____6854 | Directed Studies | Up to 3 |
Total: 36
1 Except FILM 685, FILM 689 and FILM 691.
2 Students can take either one internal or one external Directed Studies course (685).
3 Students must consult with the director of graduate studies before registering for courses outside the department.
4 See footnote 2.