The three options for completing the independent writing requirement are:
Generally not more than 40 pages in length, plus notes and bibliography, constitutes the written product resulting from the student's independent research effort. A student earns four credits for his or her research paper. Typically, a research paper builds on research previously initiated by the student in a particular course. A student may not submit a paper previously submitted during a course. A student may, however, expand on or substantially revise a previously submitted paper as the basis for the research paper. Alternatively, a student may write a research paper to satisfy this requirement without basing it on work previously undertaken during a course. The scope of the research undertaken and the scope of the paper are intended to be substantially less than that required for a master's thesis.
Generally 75-125 pages in length, plus notes and bibliography, constitutes the written product resulting from the student's independent research effort. A student may earn between six and ten credits for his or her master's thesis, with the actual number of credits to be determined by the student's graduate committee. The thesis should make an original contribution to knowledge in the field of planning and demonstrate the student's familiarity with the literature and current debates in the field. Students planning to pursue a Ph.D. in the future should choose the thesis option, as most Ph.D. programs require it.
Suggested Exit Project Schedule
The following time frame is recommended in order to complete your degree within two years. Please be aware that this schedule is very tight.
| 1st year |
Fall | Explore ideas, meet with faculty. Attend seminars across campus |
| 1st year |
Spring | Begin discussing exit project ideas with chair. Start initial background reading. |
| 1st year |
Summer | Begin research of field work. |
| 2nd year |
Fall | Clarify focus; work with chair on defining a question that links the literature to your data and method. |
| 2nd year |
January | Finish analysis and writing. |
| 2nd year |
Early February |
First draft submitted. |
| 2nd year |
Late February |
First draft returned with comments. |
| 2nd year |
March | Final draft submitted before spring break. |
| 2nd year |
April |
Thesis examination must be scheduled one week in advance. |
Defense Procedure for all Degree Options
When your committee believes that you are prepared, you may schedule a final examination to 'defend' your exit project. To do so, you must complete a Schedule of Examination form (see Appendix H), submit the original to the Graduate School, and submit one copy to Tina AT LEAST ONE WEEK prior to the defense date. You should bring two additional forms to your defense: A "Results of Examination form" (Appendix I) and an "Approval of Thesis form" (Appendix J). The Results of Examination form must be turned into the Graduate School within three days of your examination. In addition, please submit one copy of this completed form to Tina. The Approval of Thesis form must be printed on archival paper, which Tina will provide because an original signed copy will be included in your bound thesis. It is recommended that students tape record their defense for their use when making the final changes to their thesis, research paper or professional report documents.
Formatting Information
You should obtain a copy of the "Doctoral Dissertation and Master's Thesis: Formatting, Production, and Submission Requirements" document produced by the Graduate School to ascertain general information regarding formatting your exit project. This document can be obtained at the Graduate School website. The website also has Microsoft Word templates available for introduction and chapter formatting, as well as a list of typists, editors, and couriers in Ithaca.
M.R.P. students must see Tina for information about exit project formatting before it is bound. She will review your document for formatting issues regarding margins, illustrations, page numbering, etc. All other students (M.A., Ph.D., and R.S.) must see their thesis advisor, Pattie Place, in Caldwell Hall for formatting review before he/she hand in bound copies. The Graduate School website provides information on the procedure and deadlines for submitting thesis/dissertations electronically using the DSpace digital repository. Presently, M.R.P. students cannot submit the exit project electronically; only M.A. and Ph.D. students may submit electronically.
Submission Process
You should obtain archival bond paper to print your Approval of Thesis/Dissertation form before your final examination from Tina. Pending committee approval you can have your exit project copied onto archival paper at Gnomon Copy, Olin Library, or elsewhere. Afterward, take the copies to the bindery, Ridley Printing Company, to be bound. Please plan ahead, as it may take two to three days for binding. Be aware that the pages are trimmed after being sewn; your thesis may lose as much as ¼" of the margins. Make sure your page numbers are at least ½" from the bottom of the page.
If you choose to use Gnomon Copy you may either provide them an electronic submission or a paper copy. Gnomon also delivers the copies to the bindery and delivers it to the department for a nominal fee. It takes an average of 10 days to get your thesis copied and bound, and the cost averages about $35 per copy. If you do not use Gnomon Copy, you will need to get your two bound copies of your exit project to Tina before you can graduate.
Please be sure that the following steps are completed and required forms filled out before submitting your thesis. Please note that the copying and binding process can take up to one week, allow plenty of time for each step.
Preparing the Final Copies for Submission
Copying and Binding Information
Available copy centers and bookbinderies in Ithaca:
Color copies, enlargement/reductions (additional fee)
Will pickup document from Sibley Hall, copy, deliver to bindery, and delivery bound thesis to department ($1 extra)
Boxes, color copies, enlargements/reductions (additional fee)
Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday
Color copies, enlargement/reductions (additional fee), and oversize archival paper
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
Thesis Titles By Concentration From Previous Years
