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MAT Degree Thesis Track

(36 credits)

A thesis option is only available for Non-Licensure tracks in the MAT General Track or Instructional Strategies degree programs.

Graduate students participating in the thesis track must:

  • Complete 33 hours of graduate coursework (rather than 36 hours in a non-thesis track)
  • Complete EDUC 625 Master of Arts in Teaching Seminar (1 credit hour)
  • Complete EDUC 626 Master of Arts in Teaching Research (2 credit hours)
  • EDUC 615 Introduction to Research is a prerequisite for both EDUC 625 and EDUC 626
  • EDUC 615 must be completed within the first eighteen hours of the program
  • Independent study may be taken between enrollment in EDUC 625 and EDUC 626 for data collection and analysis

The graduate student enrolls in EDUC 625 and develops a formal research proposal under the guidance of the instructor, which is brought forth to the TEP Council by mid-semester. The Council votes to disapprove or approve the proposal. At this point, the student selects three faculty members from the Education Department to serve on his/her thesis committee, one of whom becomes the thesis advisor. The student then enrolls in EDUC 626 to complete the thesis, which must conform to the latest edition of the American Psychological Association Publications Manual (APA). If the thesis is not completed during the EDUC 626 initial registration semester, the student receives an IP (In Progress) grade. During the subsequent semester(s), the student re-registers for EDUC 626 until completion of the thesis, with a payment of the $100 fee in addition to the University’s registration fee for each semester until the thesis is submitted.

When the thesis is complete, the student submits the original and two copies to his/her thesis committee no later than six weeks prior to graduation (approximately April 1, July 15, or November 1). Committee members review the thesis, which can include requesting an oral defense, and must unanimously agree to one of the following options:

  • Accept the thesis without revisions
  • Accept thesis with distinction
  • Request specified revisions requiring resubmission of a revised thesis
  • Reject the thesis

Final verification that the student has completed the thesis requirements is not awarded until

  • the thesis committee accepts the thesis without reservations or with distinction, and
  • the student submits three final copies of the accepted thesis to the MAT director (one for the University Archives, one for the MAT director, and one for the thesis advisor).