As part of the requirements for the Master’s degree, a student must submit a thesis, when applicable, based on results of original and independent research. Except in Departments or programs in which the language of instruction is not English, the thesis must be in English.
An abstract not exceeding 350 words must be submitted with the thesis. If the thesis is in a language other than English, the abstract must be written both in that language and in English.
The Department concerned must ensure the availability of a copy of the Thesis Manual, which provides instructions on the preparation of theses. Its application is mandatory and theses not conforming to its requirements will not be accepted. For all matters not discussed in the manual, theses must follow the form and style described in the latest edition of K. L. Turabian, Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations (University of Chicago Press), or any other form specified by the Department or program provided this conforms to the manual.
Copies of the thesis, unbound but ready for binding, should be submitted to the members of the thesis committee at least 2 weeks before the defense. Copies may be obtained by any legible and durable form of reproduction. Additional copies may be required, as specified by the Department or program concerned.
In a thesis course, a grade of “PR” could remain on the student’s transcript for three consecutive, regular semesters, after which a different grade should be assigned. A student may petition for an extension beyond the three semesters if justified by the student’s thesis advisor. Otherwise, the “PR” grade will automatically turn into “F.”
Thesis Committee
The Master’s thesis committee should be composed of at least three members recommended by the Department or program and approved by the Faculty Graduate Committee. The proposal of the thesis topic and the selection of the advisor and the members of the Thesis Committee for candidates for the Master’s degree should have been approved by the Faculty or Graduate Committee at least four months before the student defends the thesis. It is advisable that the Thesis Committee includes one external member. This member may be from an institution other than NDU. All committee members should hold professorial ranks. The Thesis Committee approves the thesis topic and research program and conducts the thesis defense examination.
Thesis Defense
The thesis defense may be open to the public and must be carried out no later than June 10, October 30, or March 1 for students who wish to graduate at the end of the Summer session, the Fall, or the Spring semester respectively.
“Pass” or “Fail” is reported for the combined thesis and thesis defense. If “Fail” is reported, the student may resubmit the thesis and defend it after a period of at least three months. Failure on the second attempt results in discontinuation from graduate work.
Students must be registered for the thesis or at least one course in the session in which they expect to graduate in order to present their defense.
Deposit of the Thesis in the University Institutional Repository (IR)
After passing the thesis defense examination, the student is required to deposit an electronic copy of the final approved thesis, including a scanned copy of the signature page, in the University Institutional Repository (IR). After the Library verifies deposit of the thesis in the IR they will inform the Office of the Registrar so the student will be awarded the degree. When submitting the thesis to the IR the student must sign a release form, indicating whether or not the University Library is authorized to supply copies of the thesis to other libraries or individuals. The non-authorization option is valid for a period of two years only, after which copies of the thesis will be supplied on request.