7.3 MS thesis

The general requirements for the MS thesis, including research topic, prospectus and formation of examination committee.

The thesis is an integral part of the MS degree, allowing the student the opportunity to investigate a topic of personal interest and importance to the field, and to integrate and synthesize from the knowledge and skills presented in the program.

Additional details concerning the policies regarding the thesis, including format, typing, deadlines, etc., are available from the Graduate School.

In general, a thesis requires:

Identification of a topic area and an advisor (in the Division/Program) willing to guide the preparation of the thesis.
Formation of an examination committee; composed of at least two CPH faculty members, including the advisor—both committee members must have M or P graduate faculty status in the College of Public Health and at least one must have a primary appointment in the college.
Where appropriate, selection of a third member of the examination committee, who may be from outside the CPH.
Written and oral presentation of the thesis prospectus to the examination committee for approval.
Completion of the thesis described in the approved prospectus.
Satisfactory defense of the thesis before the examining committee.
Electronic submission of the approved thesis as a PDF to OhioLink.

The student has primary responsibility for topic selection and formation of the master’s examination committee. It usually will be the case that the proposed topic area will make clear who could serve as an advisor, and the committee will be formed by consultation between the student and advisor. However, the student must be aware that a faculty member may refuse to serve as advisor or as a committee member for a topic that is thought to be unworkable or that lies outside the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise.