Click here for the Application to Write a Master's Thesis (PDF)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of a master's thesis is to provide an opportunity for students to undertake independent and concentrated research on a topic of interest. It normally serves as the culminating work in a particular area of study.

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S): Students in the M.Div. and M.T.S.programs may elect, with the approval of the faculty, to undertake and orally defend a 20,000-word thesis that explores a topic of interest in the student's area of specialty (Biblical Studies, Theological Studies, Ministry Studies). The M.Div./M.T.S. thesis counts as 6 units of elective credit within the area of focus and will normally take a minimum of two consecutive semesters to complete.

 

ELIGIBILITY

In order to begin the thesis writing component of a program, students must have completed the following minimum requirements for their degree.

M.Div. students who wish to register for the M.Div. thesis, must have completed the following:

• a minimum of 60 units of course work (this can include 2 years of field education)
• attained a B+ average overall
• attained a B+ average in the proposed subject area of the thesis
• have their thesis proposal approved by the Faculty

M.T.S. students who wish to register for the M.T.S. thesis, must have completed the following:

• a minimum of 30 units of course work
• attained a B+ average overall
• attained a B+ average in the proposed subject area of the thesis
• have their thesis proposal approved by the Faculty

THESIS TIMELINES AT A GLANCE

A thesis proposal may be submitted at any time. For students intending to graduate in May, however, the following timelines must be observed:

• Submit your thesis proposal to the Academic Dean's Office by April 15 of the academic year prior to your desired thesis start date. The Faculty will review thesis proposals at the May meeting.
• Register for the thesis in the fall semester (if proposal approved).
• Devote the fall semester to reading, writing, and submitting the initial draft of each chapter to the first reader.
• By January 31, submit a complete draft of the thesis manuscript to first reader.
• Dedicate February to further revisions and rewriting, as indicated by first reader.
• By March 1, submit three copies of the final thesis manuscript to the Office of the Academic Dean (room 244). One copy will be forwarded to the first reader, one copy to the second reader and one copy to the chair.
• The supervisor, in consultation with the chair, second reader and student, will schedule the oral defence sometime between March 15 and the last day of class for the winter semester.
  
  

THESIS SUPERVISION

Master's theses will be guided by a committee of not fewer than two members (first and second readers). The first reader will serve as the primary supervisor of the thesis. The second reader ensures that the academic standards monitored by the first reader have been met. A third external reader, if deemed appropriate, may be appointed by the Dean for the oral defence. The Dean or designate will act as chair of the oral defence.

MASTER'S THESIS PROCEDURES

1. Students intending to write a thesis will complete a thesis application (see link at top of page) and review proposal guidelines.
2. As early as possible, students will initiate contact with a faculty member with the request to act as the thesis supervisor (first reader). The thesis proposal cannot be forwarded to the Office of the Academic Dean until a faculty member has agreed to be its supervisor.  This step is likely to require multiple drafts of the proposal.
3. Students will complete and submit a thesis proposal and submit it to the Office of the Academic Dean no later than April 15 of the academic year prior to undertaking the thesis. The Dean or designate will present the proposal to the faculty for consideration at the May faculty meeting.
4. The designation of first and second readers for the thesis will be determined by the faculty.
5. Once the thesis proposal and readers are approved by the faculty, the Dean or designate will notify the Student Records Office. The Student Records Office will contact the student to confirm acceptance and to discuss thesis registration procedures.
6. Throughout the fall semester, students are expected to work in close consultation with the first reader, forming a coherently argued thesis that demonstrates scholarly research skills and knowledge of the area of study.
7. A complete draft of the manuscript must be submitted to the first reader no later than the end of January. February will be dedicated to revisions and rewriting.
8. Once approved by the first reader, the final manuscript must be submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean no later than March 1 if the student wishes to convocate in May. Three copies are to be submitted: one for the first reader, one for the second reader, and one for the chair.
9. The second reader will receive a copy of the final manuscript no later than March 1. The second reader may recommend revisions to the thesis prior to the defence.
10. The supervisor, in consultation with the chair, second reader and the student, will schedule the oral defence sometime between March 15 and the last day of class for the winter semester.
11. Any revisions to the thesis after the oral defence must take place before the grade submission deadline in order for the student to be cleared to graduate.
12. Students who are unable to complete their thesis by the end of the academic year may request a one-term extension from the Dean or designate by completing an Application for an Incomplete. If the thesis remains incomplete after the one-term extension, an additional one-term extension may be requested from the Dean or designate. If granted, a continuation fee of $200.00 will be applied (payable to McMaster Divinity College). If the thesis remains incomplete after the second extension, an automatic "F" will be recorded on the transcript.
    
    

THE ORAL DEFENCE

1. The first and second readers, with the Dean or designate acting as Chair, form the examining committee. Guests may attend as observers.
2. The defence normally will last one to one-and-a-half hours. The student is usually invited to begin with a summative statement on the thesis (15 minute maximum). The Chair takes responsibility for ensuring that questions and responses occur in a rotational, equitable, and appropriate manner.
3. At the conclusion of the defence, everyone other than the examining committee leaves the room while deliberations occur. The Chair does not vote except to break a tie. Once the decision of the committee has been made, the candidate is invited to return to the room and is informed of the decision.
4. The committee will recommend one of four outcomes:
   • Pass - with or without minor corrections
   • Pass - with minor revisions
   • Major revisions - with specified time limit for resubmission and new defence
   • Fail with no option of rewrite.

   Note: The designation of "pass" may be accorded the additional notation "with distinction."

POST-DEFENCE PROCEDURES ~ Required documentation:

1. Report of Examining Committee on Thesis
2. Report of Oral Defence
3. Acceptance of Thesis (signatures)
4. Thesis insert (number of pages, etc.)

INTEROFFICE FOLLOW-UP OF ORAL DEFENCE

If the thesis is designated a clear pass or fail, the Defence Chair will immediately forward the signed documentation to the Student Records Office.  If the thesis requires corrections or revisions, the Defence Chair will inform the Student Records Office of current status, but will retain the documentation until all the revisions have been approved.  The student is only clear to graduate if and when the revised thesis has received final approval and all documentation has been submitted to the Student Records Office.

PROCEDURES FOR THE BINDING OF THESES

1. The student provides an original manuscript by April 21, plus a minimum of four copies (five in total), to the Academic Dean's Office for binding.  The final manuscript must rigorously adhere to the "Guidelines for the Preparation of Theses for Binding", available from the Student Records Office.  Manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines will be returned to the student.
2. The manuscript copies will not be sent for binding unless the binding fees have been paid in advance.  The cost is $20 per copy (a minimum of $100 for five copies).  A minimum of five bound thesis must be ordered (one for Mills Library, one for the Canadian Baptist Archives, one for the first reader, one for the second reader and one for the student).  Additional copies may be ordered at the discretion of the student.
3. All binding fees must be paid in full in order for the student to convocate.
4. The Academic Dean's Office will take responsibility for:
   • Submitting the original bound manuscript to the Canadian Baptist Archives, Room 152, Divinity College.
   • Submitting one bound thesis to Mills Library.
   • Submitting one bound copy to the first reader.
   • Submitting one bound copy to the second reader.
5. The student is responsible for personally picking up his/her own copy plus any additional copies of the bound thesis from the office of the Dean or designate.

For more information, please contact the Student Records Office at divreg@mcmaster.ca.

Thesis and Dissertation applications can be downloaded here.

 

Click here for the Application to Write a Master's Thesis (PDF)