Thesis programs

Thesis programs are like research units in many ways and are only offered in the latter stages of a first degree or in graduate school. The main differences are that:

• The thesis program is sometimes the whole of the program, although it may be supported with units in research methodology and writing.
• The thesis (or dissertation) will become a public document, so the required standard of research is higher, and
• The assessment procedures are more rigorous, often involving outside personnel.

More time is blocked out for writing, and usually the only theses that have a semester-hour rating are small theses that fit into a course work program. The preferred practice is to block out a semester and require a longer, better thesis.