Research indicates that for professional communicators to "break through the glass ceiling," regardless of their gender, research skills and the ability to evaluate programs and campaigns are essential. Consequently, we require all students, as a capstone learning experience, to conduct a sustained research project that allows them to develop these essential skills and abilities.

A master's thesis, conducted with a thesis advisor, prepares a student for doctoral programs and may involve any appropriate form of scholarly research.

Students should not begin their thesis until all other coursework has been completed.  Prior to the completion of all required coursework, students may ask a member of the graduate faculty to serve as her or his principal faculty advisor; but, the advisor cannot sign an approval form until all coursework has been completed. 

Under an advisor's supervision, the student should prepare an appropriate proposal and, with the faculty advisor's consent, identify at least two other graduate faculty members to serve on the review panel.   The proposal, its approval, and the first three chapters of the thesis are often completed in one three-credit course.  Then, the remaining chapters and defense of the thesis are completed in one additional three-credit course.  Sometimes students need extra time to complete their thesis work and therefore enroll in a one-credit continuum.  The final grade for the thesis is earned with the last of the six-credit  coursework is completed and approved by members of the student's defense examination committee.  Here are the set of courses required to complete the thesis:

• MCOM 898 (1-6), MOM 898 can be taken twice for a total of six credits.
  • If the student cannot finish the thesis in two semester, the student must register for MCOM 899, Thesis Continuum, for one credit per additional semester.

The proposal for the thesis constitutes the first three chapters:  1) a complete statement of the problem and broad research questions; 2) a literature review that concludes with a much more specific set of research questions; and 3) a complete description of the methodology, including research instruments.