91°µÍø

Policy

Credit Hour Requirement

Students must complete a minimum of thirty (30) graduate credit hours, of which at least six (6) must be earned in courses numbered 600 or above.

Culminating Experience

A culminating experience is required of all candidates for the master’s degree. Each department determines the culminating experience requirements. If credit bearing, the culminating experience credit must be taken at the 600 level or above.

Thesis Option

A thesis is an original research, scholarly, or creative project that is written and meets disciplinary standards. A thesis must be directed by a 91°µÍø faculty member with graduate level A standing and be approved by a committee of a minimum of three (3) members with 91°µÍø graduate level A or B standing. All theses are required to be uploaded to OhioLink. Thesis credit ranges from six (6) to twelve (12) hours for a 30-credit-hour program. For each required hour over thirty (30), the department may increase its thesis credit by one.

Non-thesis Option

A non-thesis culminating experience may take many forms such as a practicum, internship, research experience, or written project. Departments/programs must provide clear guidelines for completion and evaluation of non-thesis culminating experiences. A non-thesis option master’s must be advised by a 91°µÍø faculty member with graduate level A or B standing and be approved by a committee of a minimum of  two (2) members with 91°µÍø graduate level A or B standing. Student must consult program, department, and divisional requirements for the composition of the non-thesis committee. Non-thesis projects are not uploaded to OhioLink.

Final Examination 

Students are required to pass a final examination (aka thesis defense) that covers the entire field of their graduate study, as well as a thesis if required, to receive the master’s degree. To be eligible for the examination, students must have a 3.00 graduate grade point average or better and must not have grades of incomplete. Students may take the final examination during the semester in which they finish their coursework or at a later time, but they must pass the examination no later than five (5) years after completing their first course toward the degree.

Each department determines specific criteria and guidelines for the final examination. The final examination may be oral, written, or both. In the case of the non-thesis option, it may be an integrated component of the non-thesis culminating experience. With a committee of three, two (2) of the committee members must agree that the student passes the examination for him or her to receive his or her degree. If the committee is larger than three, the student will pass the examination if no more than one member casts a dissenting vote.

If a student fails the examination on the first attempt, his or her department may allow him or her to take the examination a second time after a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days from the first attempt. A student may only take the examination two (2) times; after that, he or she is ineligible to receive the master’s degree.

After completion of the Final Examination, a fully executed Form M-1 “Certificate for Awarding the Master’s Degree” should be submitted to the Graduate School at least ten (10) business days before the appropriate commencement date (see the section of this policy titled “Required Forms for Completing the Master’s Degree”).

Guidelines for Forming Master’s Examining Committees 

The Master’s Final Examination Committee must have three (3) or more for the thesis option and two (2) or more non-thesis option graduate faculty members, two (2) of which represent the student’s major department. The third and other additional members may represent the major department, a related discipline, or the Graduate School. For a thesis based master’s, the chair must have Level A Graduate Faculty standing. Members other than the chair must hold at least Level B standing. For a non-thesis based master’s degree, the chair and all committee members must hold at least Level B standing. Students should consult with their department or the Graduate School to determine the eligibility of faculty to serve on the examining committee.

Thesis Evaluation 

For students who chose the Thesis Program, the thesis director must change all thesis evaluations to the final grade of “P” or “F.” The thesis director must change specified research and internship courses which have been approved for “P” and “F” to the final grade.

Thesis, Internship, or Practicum Report Submission Guidelines 

Internship, Non-Thesis, or Practicum 

Students completing an internship or practicum report for the master’s degree must do the following:

1. It is required that students use the Graduate School’s thesis front matter template, and follow additional guidelines described on the Graduate School: Theses and Dissertations webpage.
2. Submit to the department’s Graduate Director an electronic copy of the report that has been approved by the department or program.
3. Submit to the Graduate School a fully executed Form M-1 “Certificate for Awarding the Master’s Degree” at least ten (10) business days before the appropriate commencement date (see the section of this policy titled “Required Forms for Completing the Master’s Degree”). The form is available on .
4. Students also must apply for graduation and pay a commencement fee by the application deadline in order to graduate (see the “Graduation Procedures” policy).

Thesis

Students completing a thesis for the master’s degree must do the following:

1.  It is required that students use the Graduate School’s thesis template, and follow additional guidelines described on the Graduate School: Theses and Dissertation webpage. 
2. Have the format and style of the thesis checked and approved by the Graduate School prior to submission.
3. Submit to the Graduate School a fully executed Form M-1 “Certificate for Awarding the Master’s Degree” at least ten (10) business days before the appropriate commencement date (see the section of this policy titled “Required Forms for Completing the Master’s Degree”).
4. All students must submit their thesis electronically through OhioLINK. Submission to OhioLINK must be completed in accordance with the Graduate School’s deadlines available on the Graduate School’s webpage or on GSA’s Canvas site. Additional help and information regarding formatting and electronic submission of the document is available at the Graduate School: Theses and Dissertation webpage.
5. Students must also apply for graduation and pay a commencement fee by the application deadline in order to graduate (see the “Graduation Procedures” policy).

Time Limit for Degree Completion   

Students must complete the coursework and earn the master’s degree within five (5) years of completing their first course in the master's degree program. This limit applies to all degree-seeking students, both full- and part-time.

Note: Students have until December 31^st of the fifth year to complete the degree. For example, a student first registering in the summer of 2022 has through December of 2027 to complete the degree.

Conferral of Degree

The conferral of the 91°µÍø master’s degree will be granted following the semester or term when all degree and other requirements have been met and after the student has applied for graduation.

Required Forms for Completing the Master’s Degree 

FORM M-1:  Certificate for Awarding the Master’s Degree (All Students)
This form is completed by the student’s department before the final examination. It is then printed and given to the student to present at the time of the final examination. The committee members will indicate their vote and will sign the form at that time. After all requirements for completion of the degree are reviewed and approved by the department or program, the form is then signed by the department chairperson and forwarded to the Graduate School at least ten (10) business days before the appropriate commencement date. The form is available on the .

Additional forms may be required under certain circumstances. Please refer to the Graduate School Forms and Publications website for additional information. 

Related Form(s)

Not Applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites

• The Graduate School Website 
• Graduate School Forms and Publications
• Graduate School: Theses and Dissertations

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

• Dean of the Graduate School
• Provost

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

No

Revision History

 Amended July 2018; Amended July 2022'; Amended August 2024

Reference ID

Graduate Handbook 4.1

Reviewing Bodies

• Administrative
• University Senate