MA (Thesis) Completion Timeline

Please give a copy of all forms to the Linguistics Graduate Coordinator's Assistant for routing to the Graduate School and to add to your student file. Remember to be advised every semester using the Linguistics Graduate Student Advisement Form until you complete your Final Program of Study form.

Second semester

• Decide on and invite three faculty members to be part of your MA thesis committee, and complete the Advisory Committee form.
• Out-of-state students who are particularly motivated may choose to complete their coursework requirement by the end of this semester in order to apply for an out-of-state tuition waiver.

Third semester

• Complete coursework (33 hours).
• Complete the Final Program of Study form, including only the minimum required courses. It is okay to include courses you have not yet taken, but in the end, you must take every course listed or else file a Recommended Change in Program of Study form.
• Submit thesis proposal to committee for approval.

Fourth semester

If you have not been following the guidelines above, the Graduate School's Deadline Schedule now takes precedence.

• Complete the Application for Graduation on Athena by the second week of the semester. All forms except the thesis defense form must be turned in by this time. Ensure that the Graduate School has an up-to-date record of your advisory committee.
• Work towards completing the Thesis Defense and Final Examination Approval form where your committee approves your thesis and grades your performance at the oral defense. Parts of this form should be completed at different stages of your thesis. Your defense cannot be scheduled until Part II is complete, where your committee approves the document itself for presentation.
• Submit a completed copy of your thesis for a format check at least one month prior to graduation. Utilize the Graduate School's Format Guide.
• Schedule your thesis defense with your committee to be held at least one week prior to the last day of classes. Turn in the Defense Scheduling Form to Graduate Coordinator's Assistant after your committee has agreed to the date and time. You should agree on a date for submitting the thesis to your committee and schedule a tentative date for the defense no later than October 1 for Fall semester graduates and March 1 for Spring and Summer semester graduates.
• Complete the Thesis Defense and Final Examination Approval form and submit it to the Graduate Coordinator's Assistant within two weeks of the defense or by the last day of classes (whichever is earlier).

Updated: 08/16/2018