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How important is an undergrad thesis?

By seaofghosts April 7, 2013 in History

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seaofghosts

The title says it all, really. But some background:

I've been in school forever because of work and experimentation. I want to get a PhD in history, and I was intending to do an undergraduate thesis in preparation for grad school. (And because I just wanted to.) But now it looks like I'm not able to do a thesis -- not because of bad grades or anything negative, I just don't have room in my degree for the necessary honors courses without going semesters over. And that costs money, obviously.

So how important is an undergrad thesis? I know it definitely depends on the school, but do most students who get into top programs complete one? I'm not aiming for Harvard or anything, but I do want to have choices. I should have solid applications otherwise. I'm probably making a bigger deal of it than I should be, but I just found out today that I can't do a thesis and it kinda disappointed me. 

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I don't think it matters that much to be honest. I think having a top-notch writing sample is important, but it need not come from a thesis course.

If you are really bent on a similar experience, try a directed research course from a trusted professor that will let you take an in-depth look at a topic from the undergrad level. Same results, without tons of boring honors courses that probably have nothing to do with your topic anyway.

I know some undergrads who don't write a thesis but still get into top doctoral programs. Writing a thesis is definitely great experience to have before you get into grad school not just because it looks good on the CV or it helps to pull it out for your sample paper but because you will have to write a thesis in graduate school whether it's your MA thesis or doctoral dissertation. Working on an original research project such as a year-long thesis helps you understand what graduate work entails. It's not about writing 7-10 page papers following your professor's prompts anymore. You find what you're interested in and you build on it until you find something worth saying about it. And since undergrads don't usually have a chance to create original research, they tend to struggle a little when starting graduate work.

So in short, writing a thesis is definitely helpful for the experience. It looks good to be able to mention it just like being able to mention a publication or an opportunity to study abroad. If you can't manage writing a thesis as an undergrad, no sweat. Find something else that makes you unique and shows you're ready for grad school and focus on that in your application.

• History Time

I agree with everyone who posted above. Yes, thesis writing is helpful for experience, but otherwise, not essential.

Here's why:

For those who are applying to MA or PhD programs straight out of undergrad (in my experience, about half of the people), they're applying in the fall or winter of their senior year. For many, many people this means they haven't written or polished their thesis enough for use as a writing sample.

Then, there's some programs in undergrad that don't write their thesis until second semester (I'm one of those). And then there's some that don't even HAVE a thesis option for undergrad. So, yes, it's great for experience but it's just that. Experience.

The experience is very, very helpful.  You learn what it takes to write an original 30+ page research paper based on primary sources, not secondary.

Your writing sample needs to be just that- a demonstration of your capabilities as a future historian to be able to collect, interpret, and analyze various sources and reconstruct historical accounts with a methodological approach.  If you have a seminar paper like that, then great!  Use it!  

If you don't want to take honors courses to be able to qualify for a thesis-writing course, ask a trusted prof for an independent study/research course.  I'm sure s/he will be delighted at the opportunity to teach the historian's craft in a serious, intimate manner.

• Wicked_Problem , Katzenmusik and ashiepoo72

playingivory

I agree with the rest about the experience being extremely helpful for understanding grad work (and for me, it also helped me really develop the research bug, and I now have a generally good idea at how to approach my potential project when I write my SOP)... however, if you have a strong enough writing sample, I don't necessarily think you HAVE to do one. TMP has a good suggestion for an independent study (I've done two myself and you can really make the experience what you need it to be, especially given the right adviser).

---------------

^ that line marks my end of one discussion and launch into a new one, given a question I've been asking some younger professors in my department.

I think if you had time, it would be a good experience for you, but I don't think it would effect your chances of getting into grad school in the slightest.  In my case, I did not even use my thesis as a writing it sample.  In most cases, the thesis is too long for a writing sample and cutting it up can be unwieldy unless you have an obvious chapter that stands alone well.  As an alternative project (on your time or in a seminar), you should work on improving the research of a 15-20 page research paper that is actually the appropriate length for applications.  This would be equally if not more valuable to your grad school applications.

As others have mentioned, I would jump at the chance to some sort of shorter but comparable research project, if possible. Even if it's for yourself -- you're going to have to do this level of work (or higher) for the rest of your schooling -- nay, the rest of your career, so it's good to get a sense of how you go about it. Hey, you might really hate it, or at the least, it's good prep. My thesis (which I spoke about in my SOP, as evidence of my ability to do research, but did not use as a writing sample) took a LOT out of me. It was really, really hard. But I learnt so much about what I wouldn't do next time, and I think -- oh yes, I've already made it through writing 80 polished pages that required a huge amount of time parsing through original sources, I can do aaaanythingggg! Ok. Not anything. But I realize I can do the work of a historian.

I think -- oh yes, I've already made it through writing 80 polished pages that required a huge amount of time parsing through original sources, I can do aaaanythingggg! Ok. Not anything. But I realize I can do the work of a historian.

soleprovider14

Like others have said, I'm not sure it is necessary to gain admission into a PhD/MA program. Depending on what the senior thesis (undergrad thesis) process is like at your undergrad, I would recommend you jump on the opportunity to do one. I ended up doing a senior thesis rather than the usual capstone course (which involves a 30 page research paper) that spanned my senior year and ended up being around 120 pages. I can't stress enough how important this experience was, and how much it helped me transition to my MA and write a thesis.

Since my undergrad thesis process was basically the same as an MA thesis (year-long work with an adviser on a topic of my choice, with extensive historiography and primary source research) I was very well prepared, and not as overwhelmed as some of my peers when it came to the MA thesis process. If your undergrad offers such a thesis process I would definitely recommend it.  Also, if you are planning on writing your undergrad thesis on a similar topic to what you plan to study in grad school, you will undoubtedly benefit from having a good background in the historiography and research of your field/specialty. 

CrazyCatLady80

My department has actually gotten rid of the masters thesis. The main reason has to do with union issues, but the other is that they are basically useless. Students spend massive amounts of time and energy and they end up collecting dust on the bookshelves. Plus, to be honest, as a student at a large public second-rate university, the work from most graduate students is hardly groundbreaking (except for those that are on the PhD track). Instead, they replaced it with the "culminating experience" (I know....the name cracks me up), which is the revision of a research paper they completed in a previous class. In the end, the goal is to have 25-page, publication quality paper.

At first, I HATED the idea. In fact, I had a huge panic attack, convinced that a PhD program won't accept me. However, I realized that this wasn't the case and was actually a very good thing, because I wouldn't have to turn a 100-page thesis into a 25-page writing sample. Plus, if I really wanted to do a thesis, I still have the option, because of the date that I entered the program. They are offering the option the first time this semester and I am hearing mixed things about it. A lot of the students are complaining about the amount of work involved, but I think that has to do with the quality of our grad students than the new program. 

• 2 weeks later...

Thanks everyone! I'll try to do an independent study class so that I can possibly use it as my writing sample. 

• 7 years later...

On 4/6/2013 at 8:19 PM, seaofghosts said: So how important is an undergrad thesis?

IME, it was very important. I had a solid writing sample to submit with my applications and I did not have the crisis of confidence that many aspiring graduate students on this BB seem to experience season after season. The thesis allowed me to have enough self limit the number of programs to which I applied (two) and to not stress endlessly about getting an offer of admission. The qualifiers here is that I did a five year plan as an undergraduate so my UG thesis was completed and polished going into my application season.

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How to write an undergraduate university dissertation

Writing a dissertation is a daunting task, but these tips will help you prepare for all the common challenges students face before deadline day.

Grace McCabe

Writing a dissertation is one of the most challenging aspects of university. However, it is the chance for students to demonstrate what they have learned during their degree and to explore a topic in depth.

In this article, we look at 10 top tips for writing a successful dissertation and break down how to write each section of a dissertation in detail.

10 tips for writing an undergraduate dissertation

1. Select an engaging topic Choose a subject that aligns with your interests and allows you to showcase the skills and knowledge you have acquired through your degree.

2. Research your supervisor Undergraduate students will often be assigned a supervisor based on their research specialisms. Do some research on your supervisor and make sure that they align with your dissertation goals.

3. Understand the dissertation structure Familiarise yourself with the structure (introduction, review of existing research, methodology, findings, results and conclusion). This will vary based on your subject.

4. Write a schedule As soon as you have finalised your topic and looked over the deadline, create a rough plan of how much work you have to do and create mini-deadlines along the way to make sure don’t find yourself having to write your entire dissertation in the final few weeks.

5. Determine requirements Ensure that you know which format your dissertation should be presented in. Check the word count and the referencing style.

6. Organise references from the beginning Maintain an alphabetically arranged reference list or bibliography in the designated style as you do your reading. This will make it a lot easier to finalise your references at the end.

7. Create a detailed plan Once you have done your initial research and have an idea of the shape your dissertation will take, write a detailed essay plan outlining your research questions, SMART objectives and dissertation structure.

8. Keep a dissertation journal Track your progress, record your research and your reading, and document challenges. This will be helpful as you discuss your work with your supervisor and organise your notes.

9. Schedule regular check-ins with your supervisor Make sure you stay in touch with your supervisor throughout the process, scheduling regular meetings and keeping good notes so you can update them on your progress.

10. Employ effective proofreading techniques Ask friends and family to help you proofread your work or use different fonts to help make the text look different. This will help you check for missing sections, grammatical mistakes and typos.

What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is a long piece of academic writing or a research project that you have to write as part of your undergraduate university degree.

It’s usually a long essay in which you explore your chosen topic, present your ideas and show that you understand and can apply what you’ve learned during your studies. Informally, the terms “dissertation” and “thesis” are often used interchangeably.

How do I select a dissertation topic?

First, choose a topic that you find interesting. You will be working on your dissertation for several months, so finding a research topic that you are passionate about and that demonstrates your strength in your subject is best. You want your topic to show all the skills you have developed during your degree. It would be a bonus if you can link your work to your chosen career path, but it’s not necessary.

Second, begin by exploring relevant literature in your field, including academic journals, books and articles. This will help you identify gaps in existing knowledge and areas that may need further exploration. You may not be able to think of a truly original piece of research, but it’s always good to know what has already been written about your chosen topic.

Consider the practical aspects of your chosen topic, ensuring that it is possible within the time frame and available resources. Assess the availability of data, research materials and the overall practicality of conducting the research.

When picking a dissertation topic, you also want to try to choose something that adds new ideas or perspectives to what’s already known in your field. As you narrow your focus, remember that a more targeted approach usually leads to a dissertation that’s easier to manage and has a bigger impact. Be ready to change your plans based on feedback and new information you discover during your research.

How to work with your dissertation supervisor?

Your supervisor is there to provide guidance on your chosen topic, direct your research efforts, and offer assistance and suggestions when you have queries. It’s crucial to establish a comfortable and open line of communication with them throughout the process. Their knowledge can greatly benefit your work. Keep them informed about your progress, seek their advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

1. Keep them updated Regularly tell your supervisor how your work is going and if you’re having any problems. You can do this through emails, meetings or progress reports.

2. Plan meetings Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor. These can be in person or online. These are your time to discuss your progress and ask for help.

3. Share your writing Give your supervisor parts of your writing or an outline. This helps them see what you’re thinking so they can advise you on how to develop it.

5. Ask specific questions When you need help, ask specific questions instead of general ones. This makes it easier for your supervisor to help you.

6. Listen to feedback Be open to what your supervisor says. If they suggest changes, try to make them. It makes your dissertation better and shows you can work together.

7. Talk about problems If something is hard or you’re worried, talk to your supervisor about it. They can give you advice or tell you where to find help.

8. Take charge Be responsible for your work. Let your supervisor know if your plans change, and don’t wait if you need help urgently.

Remember, talking openly with your supervisor helps you both understand each other better, improves your dissertation and ensures that you get the support you need.

How to write a successful research piece at university How to choose a topic for your dissertation Tips for writing a convincing thesis

How do I plan my dissertation?

It’s important to start with a detailed plan that will serve as your road map throughout the entire process of writing your dissertation. As Jumana Labib, a master’s student at the University of Manchester  studying digital media, culture and society, suggests: “Pace yourself – definitely don’t leave the entire thing for the last few days or weeks.”

Decide what your research question or questions will be for your chosen topic.

Break that down into smaller SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) objectives.

Speak to your supervisor about any overlooked areas.

Create a breakdown of chapters using the structure listed below (for example, a methodology chapter).

Define objectives, key points and evidence for each chapter.

Define your research approach (qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods).

Outline your research methods and analysis techniques.

Develop a timeline with regular moments for review and feedback.

Allocate time for revision, editing and breaks.

Consider any ethical considerations related to your research.

Stay organised and add to your references and bibliography throughout the process.

Remain flexible to possible reviews or changes as you go along.

A well thought-out plan not only makes the writing process more manageable but also increases the likelihood of producing a high-quality piece of research.

How to structure a dissertation?

The structure can depend on your field of study, but this is a rough outline for science and social science dissertations:

Introduce your topic.

Complete a source or literature review.

Describe your research methodology (including the methods for gathering and filtering information, analysis techniques, materials, tools or resources used, limitations of your method, and any considerations of reliability).

Summarise your findings.

Discuss the results and what they mean.

Conclude your point and explain how your work contributes to your field.

On the other hand, humanities and arts dissertations often take the form of an extended essay. This involves constructing an argument or exploring a particular theory or analysis through the analysis of primary and secondary sources. Your essay will be structured through chapters arranged around themes or case studies.

All dissertations include a title page, an abstract and a reference list. Some may also need a table of contents at the beginning. Always check with your university department for its dissertation guidelines, and check with your supervisor as you begin to plan your structure to ensure that you have the right layout.

How long is an undergraduate dissertation?

The length of an undergraduate dissertation can vary depending on the specific guidelines provided by your university and your subject department. However, in many cases, undergraduate dissertations are typically about 8,000 to 12,000 words in length.

“Eat away at it; try to write for at least 30 minutes every day, even if it feels relatively unproductive to you in the moment,” Jumana advises.

How do I add references to my dissertation?

References are the section of your dissertation where you acknowledge the sources you have quoted or referred to in your writing. It’s a way of supporting your ideas, evidencing what research you have used and avoiding plagiarism (claiming someone else’s work as your own), and giving credit to the original authors.

Referencing typically includes in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography with full source details. Different referencing styles exist, such as Harvard, APA and MLA, each favoured in specific fields. Your university will tell you the preferred style.

Using tools and guides provided by universities can make the referencing process more manageable, but be sure they are approved by your university before using any.

How do I write a bibliography or list my references for my dissertation?

The requirement of a bibliography depends on the style of referencing you need to use. Styles such as OSCOLA or Chicago may not require a separate bibliography. In these styles, full source information is often incorporated into footnotes throughout the piece, doing away with the need for a separate bibliography section.

Typically, reference lists or bibliographies are organised alphabetically based on the author’s last name. They usually include essential details about each source, providing a quick overview for readers who want more information. Some styles ask that you include references that you didn’t use in your final piece as they were still a part of the overall research.

It is important to maintain this list as soon as you start your research. As you complete your research, you can add more sources to your bibliography to ensure that you have a comprehensive list throughout the dissertation process.

How to proofread an undergraduate dissertation?

Throughout your dissertation writing, attention to detail will be your greatest asset. The best way to avoid making mistakes is to continuously proofread and edit your work.

Proofreading is a great way to catch any missing sections, grammatical errors or typos. There are many tips to help you proofread:

Ask someone to read your piece and highlight any mistakes they find.

Change the font so you notice any mistakes.

Format your piece as you go, headings and sections will make it easier to spot any problems.

Separate editing and proofreading. Editing is your chance to rewrite sections, add more detail or change any points. Proofreading should be where you get into the final touches, really polish what you have and make sure it’s ready to be submitted.

Stick to your citation style and make sure every resource listed in your dissertation is cited in the reference list or bibliography.

How to write a conclusion for my dissertation?

Writing a dissertation conclusion is your chance to leave the reader impressed by your work.

Start by summarising your findings, highlighting your key points and the outcome of your research. Refer back to the original research question or hypotheses to provide context to your conclusion.

You can then delve into whether you achieved the goals you set at the beginning and reflect on whether your research addressed the topic as expected. Make sure you link your findings to existing literature or sources you have included throughout your work and how your own research could contribute to your field.

Be honest about any limitations or issues you faced during your research and consider any questions that went unanswered that you would consider in the future. Make sure that your conclusion is clear and concise, and sum up the overall impact and importance of your work.

Remember, keep the tone confident and authoritative, avoiding the introduction of new information. This should simply be a summary of everything you have already said throughout the dissertation.

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• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on May 3, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

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Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the acknowledgements section.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defense committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a high school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research process, from figuring out your dissertation topic to your final proofread, should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organization assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymized data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as “the interviewees”)/

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

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After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into “major thanks,” “big thanks,” and “minor thanks” categories.

• “Major thanks” are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor, chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• “Big thanks” are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• “Minor thanks” can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymize or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you must acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis , directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

You may acknowledge God in your dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

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DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY

• Undergraduate
• Degree Requirements

Senior Thesis and Departmental Honors

Honors in art history.

To be considered for honors in art history, students must meet three thresholds:

• Demonstrate a distinguished record in the major, including having a grade point average of 3.5 within the major at the time of applying to write a senior thesis.
• Complete a senior thesis. The process begins by taking ART_HIST 391 in the winter of junior year and then applying in the spring of the junior year. After an exploratory summer, students register for ART_HIST 399 (Independent Study) in fall and winter quarters of the senior year and are supervised by the thesis advisor. Permission codes to register for these classes are administered by the department office. In some instance, one of these courses may be substituted by a 399 in another department (for students considering interdisciplinary honors). Please note that only one of the two required 399 courses counts towards the major course requirements. The senior thesis is due in late April of the senior year. Late submissions will not be accepted for consideration.
• Participate in the senior thesis colloquium, which is led by the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and meets several times over the course of the senior year.

Applying to Write a Senior Thesis

Application to Write a Senior Thesis in Art History

If you are interested in writing a thesis during the 2024–25 academic year, please note that applications are due by Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5pm.

The Thesis: Writing and Advising 

The senior thesis takes the form of a major research paper, normally 25-30 pages long. The page limit does not include front matter, bibliography, and illustrations. The goal of the thesis is for the student to undertake an intensive research project beyond the expectations of an undergraduate course. The investigation can stem from the student’s personal interests or a topic explored in a course. During this process, the student will learn how to critically engage with primary and secondary sources, craft a cogent argument across several chapters, and present his or her research to a public audience. Some projects may involve archival work and in-person field studies. Completion of a senior thesis may lead to nomination for departmental honors in art history.

Starting in the fall of senior year, the thesis writer meets regularly with his or her advisor to structure, discuss, and evaluate his or her progress. The advisor sets guidelines and deadlines for writing, although it must be remembered that each 399 course is graded so the expectation is that students will turn in work that can be evaluated by the end of each quarter. Normally, the thesis writer submits at least one substantial portion of the thesis draft by the end of fall quarter, and a full draft before spring break.

In addition to meeting weekly or bi-weekly with the advisor, the thesis writer must also participate in the senior thesis colloquium. This is not a course, but a series of required meetings of all art history thesis writers convened by the DUS. The colloquium meets several times over the course of senior year. The purpose of these meetings is to bring thesis writers together into a community so that writers may learn about the various forms a thesis can take and can engage in the important project of peer-review.  The DUS also prepares colloquium participants for the public presentations that take place at an annual Senior Thesis Symposium held in May of Spring Quarter.

The finished thesis manuscript should be emailed to the departmental office at [email protected] by 11:59pm on the designated due date, which is in late April as determined by the WCAS Dean's Office. Upon review, the department will provide at least two bound hardcopies of the thesis for the writer and his or her advisor. 

The Thesis: FOrmatting

The following sample document (forthcoming) can be consulted by thesis writers when preparing their manuscripts. Please note the department requires Chicago Manual of Style with short reference footnotes in the text and a complete bibliography following the text. Additional information on front and back matter follows. 

The following front matter must be included in this order:

• a title page with the author's name, the title of the thesis, the date, the advisor's name, and the phrase "A Senior Honors Thesis Submitted to the Department of Art History, Northwestern University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Honors Degree in Art History"
• a brief abstract (no more than 250 words)
• a table of contents
• acknowledgments (no more than 250 words)
• a list of illustrations, which includes an artist or maker's name, title or name of building, and date

Following the 25-30 page manuscript, the following back matter must be included:

• bibliography, following the format of The Chicago Manual of Style
• numbered illustrations (in black-and-white or color), captioned with artist or maker's name, full title (including location if architecture), date, medium and dimensions (as available and relevant), and repository (as available and relevant) 
• any necessary or relevant appendices

Senior theses are evaluated on the originality and scope of the research they present, as well as the clarity of the manner in which they are written, organized, and argued. All senior theses are evaluated as passing or not-passing by the Committee on Undergraduate Affairs (CUA). This committee forwards its recommendations to the Weinberg Committee for Undergraduate Academic Excellence, which makes the final decision about departmental honors. The CUA also decides which theses might be awarded a J. Carson Webster Prize for Distinguished Honors Thesis, the department award for best honors thesis. On occasion, this award is shared by more than one thesis.

Dual Honors and Honors in Interdisciplinary Studies

Students who are interested in pursuing Honors in Interdisciplinary Studies, or in two departments, should meet with the DUS and consult the following links:

Procedures for Students Interested in Pursuing Honors in Two Departments or Programs

Application for Dual or Interdisciplinary Senior Honors Projects (DOC)

Senior Thesis

“I have created a final product that I can discuss in detail with future employers and graduate school. I fully believe doing an undergraduate thesis has helped in my applications for the next steps of my education.”- Senior Thesis Candidate 2022

Are you interested in an independent research or creative project? Does the idea of exploring a question or issue for which there is no fixed answer appeal to you? Would you like to complete a project that you can share with prospective employers and/ or graduate programs to which you apply? If so, writing a Senior Thesis is for you!

Senior Thesis Handbook

Current Thesis Students

Sample Theses

Roles of the Thesis Committee Members

Third Reader Group Presentations

Expectations for Mentors

What does a Senior Thesis include?

You will work for two semesters under the guidance of a faculty director on a project of your choice and with the goal of contributing something original and valuable to the scholarly, scientific, and/or artistic community. 

You will receive feedback from a second and third faculty reader as well as from a group of your peers.

In terms of credit, you will enroll in UNIV 401 & 402 during your senior year.

Once you successfully complete the Thesis and your other graduation requirements and provided your GPA is at the required level, you will be awarded either a Degree with Distinction or, if you are in the Honors College, an Honors Degree with Distinction.

How do I find out more? Contact Lauren Barsky, Associate Director of URP, [email protected]

180 South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716, USA [email protected]

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Could you get a doctorate based solely on a thesis written in your free time?

I am a very enthusiastic person academically and I love to gather new (sometimes irrelevant but useful) knowledge about my field in my free time. I am now at the point where I would like to start writing a paper on something in my field of interest and based on my own research.

If my paper is credible, contributes to my field and fulfills the standards that apply to any PhD thesis, would I be awarded a doctorate if I applied for the degree and publish the paper?

As an undergraduate, I don't know much about a PhD program. From what I know, it's simply you and your research that counts. I understand that, in the last analysis, it is the contribution to your field that counts. Am I missing anything?

• research-process
• research-undergraduate

• 21 A doctoral program requires more than just a thesis. Take a look at the graduation requirements for various programs in your field to get a sense of what is required. –  Zach H Commented May 31, 2015 at 22:35
• 6 I voted to leave this question open because the question linked did not specify a written thesis while this one does. But, I must admit I dislike this question because there is some ego in it. –  Nobody Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 6:51
• 3 In the second paragraph you call your intended work both a paper and a thesis. In many fields, those two types of documents differ considerably in size (although that's not generally true). Have you considered publishing your findings in a journal or at a conference instead of submitting it as a thesis? –  Thomas Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 7:18
• 12 Maybe, but why would you do that? Doing research that can lead to a PhD is usually a paid work; its (comparatively) not that hard to get funding for it. What would be the benefits of doing basically the same work, but without salary, supervision, access to a groups of academic peers, and other benefits a PhD program typically offers? –  kfx Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 10:05
• 7 Doing research that can lead to a PhD is usually a paid work — That really depends on your discipline, and your country. –  JeffE Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 20:27

7 Answers 7

Just write your paper , as long as the writing does not distract you from your undergrad studies. If the paper has merit, you may be able to present it at a colloquium of your university, at a workshop, or even at a conference. If you put some more work into it and are lucky, you might eventually be able to publish it in a journal. Certainly, your paper will open up more questions than it answers. Now you have a research trajectory that you can follow up and that may lead to a PhD thesis, based on but surely not limited to your first paper.

In other words: There is no reason why you should not start to work on your PhD topic already as an undergraduate, but it seems to me that you underestimate the time and work it takes to finish the PhD . And since PhDs require a lot of work, there are PhD programs, which facilitate the process and in which most PhDs are actually produced. In that sense, writing your PhD outside of the designated framework is a bit like digging a well with a spoon. It can be done, but it is not too efficient. On top of that (as others have said already), at many institutions, the written thesis is only one requirement among others to be awarded a title.

• 2 PhD seen as digging a well - so true. –  marsei Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 23:12
• 2 @macduf, actually, even in a PhD program, it is all digging with a spoon and no water. –  henning no longer feeds AI Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 23:17

If my paper is credible, fruitful to my field and otherwise fulfilling the standards that any PhD thesis should

A research paper is not a thesis. Theses are usually expositions upon some field that the author has contributed to, and frequently contain extensive background that is typically omitted in academic literature. Indeed, many of my colleagues in industry have published research papers without having PhDs.

... would I be awarded a doctorate if I'd publish and wish for it?

In addition, you would need to find a university to endorse your work, which often requires collaborating with faculty.

Although, if your work is truly groundbreaking and you spend a lot of time hanging out at a particular campus, you might qualify for an honorary degree!

• 7 The latter is of course so exceptional that it is not a reasonable strategy to pursue. –  henning no longer feeds AI Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 9:12
• 4 @henning hence the exclamation mark! –  Mikhail Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 9:34
• 3 To say nothing of the fact that an honorary doctorate is effectively worthless in academia. That's why the ads say, "earned doctorate." That honorary degree might carry some prestige outside academia, but not among those who know. –  Bob Brown Commented Jan 7, 2017 at 18:16

All this depends on the field, the country, etc. but in theory, if you already have a master's degree, it is possible to get a PhD based on previous (published) research. But typically not on a single paper . (Over)generalizing and assuming your research is genuinely interesting and meets all the (sometimes arbitrary) requirements of your field, a rough guideline is that you need material corresponding to at least three papers.

You would also need to write some intro/conclusion putting the research in context, make revisions based on your advisors' comments, find a jury and satisfy them. You cannot just show up with a paper and “wish” for a PhD, at least not from a real, reputable university. That's assuming you really manage to make your research publication-worthy (which means not only rigorous but also connected to recent literature and current problems in your field) and find a faculty willing to accommodate you as it's not the “normal” way to get a PhD.

Don't overlook the bit about finding an advisor: It's incredibly important. The PhD is really an apprenticeship under the supervision of a full professor. You don't ask a university or department for a doctorate, there is no process to submit a thesis and have it evaluated on your own, it's all driven by faculty members and you won't even be allowed to defend a thesis if it's not endorsed by one (he or she would also typically help you recruit a jury).

Realistically, a mediocre thesis can be validated if a professor puts his or her mind to it, asks friends to sit in the jury, etc. but even brilliant work is nothing if you don't find an interested academic to move the process along.

Beyond that, others have mentioned extra requirements but the thesis is really the most important thing. In my experience, in Europe (I got my PhD in the Netherlands but I know a little bit about France, Germany, or the UK), it's increasingly common to organise some mandatory courses for PhD candidates but the load is very light, a few short courses about soft skills or methodology with no exam, only pass/fail based on attendance. And there are ways around that if you have a good reason.

But to be perfectly honest, your question suggests you are not very familiar with academia so it seems highly unlikely you would succeed in getting a PhD without proper support. I am not sure why you want one but if it's important to you, it might be a better idea to simply enroll in a PhD program.

• This is the right information! You are missing something, an advisor! –  Fábio Dias Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 3:47

An example of someone who did just this was Ludwig Wittgenstein. So yes you could, especially if you are a genius.

Wittgenstein wrote the Tractatus during his free time and it was used as his thesis for his Cambridge PhD.

Wittgenstein came to feel that he could not get to the heart of his most fundamental questions while surrounded by other academics, and so in 1913 he retreated to the village of Skjolden in Norway, where he rented the second floor of a house for the winter. He later saw this as one of the most productive periods of his life, writing Logik (Notes on Logic), the predecessor of much of the Tractatus . ... In the summer of 1918 Wittgenstein took military leave and went to stay in one of his family's Vienna summer houses, Neuwaldegg. It was there in August 1918 that he completed the Tractatus ... he could not initially work at Cambridge as he did not have a degree, so he applied as an advanced undergraduate. Russell noted that his previous residency was sufficient for a PhD, and urged him to offer the Tractatus as his thesis. It was examined in 1929 by Russell and Moore; at the end of the thesis defence, Wittgenstein clapped the two examiners on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I know you'll never understand it." Moore wrote in the examiner's report: "I myself consider that this is a work of genius; but, even if I am completely mistaken and it is nothing of the sort, it is well above the standard required for the Ph.D. degree." Wittgenstein was appointed as a lecturer and was made a fellow of Trinity College. ( Wikipedia )

• 3 It was also convenient that Wittgenstein came from a very wealthy family. –  paul garrett Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 20:26
• 2 @TobiasKildetoft: If you spent your free time in a Norwegian winter house and an Austrian summer house and produced a work similar in quality to Wittgenstein's Tractatus , I am pretty sure you'd be awarded a PhD too, even in 2015. –  user10885 Commented Jun 2, 2015 at 14:39
• 1 It did also take him 16 years from the start of that to getting the PhD so it's not efficient –  Stephanie Commented Jun 4, 2015 at 23:27
• 1 @Stephanie: I think it safe to say that in writing the Tractatus , Wittgenstein was not motivated by the possibility of getting a PhD degree. And also, he didn't spend all of those 16 years working on his "dissertation". –  user10885 Commented Jun 7, 2015 at 15:34
• 1 Wittgenstein's example is indeed the one that comes to mind but it's interesting to note that he didn't get a PhD upon writing the book or submit it to be evaluated as an unknown genius ( that is what the OP seems to have in mind). He got a PhD a decade after writing the book, with the help of Bertrand Russell, for administrative reasons. In other words, even for someone universally acknowledged as a genius, you need an advisor. –  Relaxed Commented Apr 29, 2019 at 20:12

No, as commenter Zach H points out, doctoral programs also have other requirements, such as courses and sometimes exams.

UPDATE: As commenters have shown, my answer was US-centric and thus incorrect. I'd delete it, but that would delete the helpful comments below.

• 13 It depends on discipline, country and university. Some asian universities have no course requirements for a PhD in literature for instance. –  Ketan Commented May 31, 2015 at 22:40
• 16 It's normal in the UK for the thesis to be the only mandatory requirement for a PhD (but this is not to say that anyone with a thesis-esque document could walk in and be awarded a degree). –  dbmag9 Commented May 31, 2015 at 22:52
• 6 How unfortunate you'd be if you had to do coursework during your PhD. That's what undergrad is for! –  curiousdannii Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 5:49
• 11 The classical German doctorate as well requires you just to write, defend, and publish a book-length PhD thesis. There are no course requirements. –  henning no longer feeds AI Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 9:11
• 4 @Mikhail The coursework years of US PhD programs are more or less what the two Master studies years are for in the EU (post-Bologna reforms). You can't go straight from BA to PhD grad school in most EU countries. –  henning no longer feeds AI Commented Jun 1, 2015 at 9:38

PhD programs provide funding for, typically, no more than four years. Given that the average time to completion is well in excess of that (it was ten years in the UC Berkeley English department last time I checked), the reality is that the majority of PhD theses are completed during time not spent doing remunerated work, which is another name for "free time". So yes, not only can you do a PhD thesis in your free time, in most cases that's what you'll end up doing even if you enroll in a formal PhD program. Hope that helps...

• 1 Could you provide a reference for this? 4 years is definitely lower than average for the programs I am familiar with. –  Tobias Kildetoft Commented Jun 2, 2015 at 11:15

The front page of every PhD thesis states "Submit as Partial Fulfillment of the Degree". So, a thesis is a must but not all for a PhD degree. The degree requires years of academic training, not as simple as just one thesis, or several published research papers.

• 4 "The front page of every PhD thesis states "Submit as Partial Fulfillment of the Degree"." No, they don't (mine didn't for example). –  Tobias Kildetoft Commented Jun 2, 2015 at 11:15

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2024 Thesis Prize Winners

Main navigation, david m. kennedy honors thesis prizes.

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• DOI: 10.18260/1-2--12048
• Corpus ID: 113487227

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• T. Meyers , R. Weissbach
• Published 22 June 2003
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Send in the Psychics: Remote Viewing, Intelligence Operations, and the Cold War Public Deposited

Parapsychological research received substantial government funding and support during the later years of the Cold War. The intersection of concern over Soviet innovations in psychotronic technologies and a broader investment in science as a means of national defense allowed psychoenergetic research, particularly Stanford Research Institute's Remote Viewing technique, to achieve a status of legitimacy as both a scientific endeavor and defense tactic. In the intelligence sector, Remote Viewing research was funded for over twenty years, from 1972 until 1995, and revived several times under different agencies and budgeting structures. Its survival depended largely on a fear of Soviet innovation in the field. Thus, after the Cold War, the project was ultimately canceled when the threat had passed. The history of Remote Viewing research within the intelligence community aligns with the broader field of Cold War science but has not been fully addressed. Through careful analysis of each phase of the parapsychological project, with special attention paid to the financial and administrative structures, I will contextualize this unconventional research program.

• Panek, Madeleine
• Zeiler, Tom
• Gibert, John C
• Willis, John Matthew
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Parapsychology
• Project STAR GATE
• Remote Viewing
• Psychoenergetics
• Intelligence Operations
• Cold War Science
• In Copyright
• English [eng]

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How can I incorporate my senior thesis into my resume?

I just finished up my undergraduate coursework and for my final year I undertook a fairly lengthy thesis project. I wanted to include it in my resume because a thesis is not required for my major. I decided to take on this endeavor for personal growth. Usually, only honor students volunteer to write one and I was by no means an honor student.

So, is it appropriate to include a reference to in my resume or should I only mention it if it is relevant to a specific job?