Students should review the department's Thesis Principles and Guidelines for a thorough explanation of the thesis process and required forms. The Thesis Flowchart provides a suggested timeline for completing a thesis. A master's thesis:

should have a theoretical framework as its conceptual base;
may represent a test or a prediction derived from a theory;
may represent an extension of an existing group of studies;
may replicate an existing study, provided it attempts to repeat the study with some meaningful variation;
may have as a goal the development or improvement of instrumentation (see Behavior Research Methods);
may be ethological or statistical in nature, originating a new design, improving an existing design, reapplying a quantitative statistical technique, etc. (see Journal of Mathematical Psychology and Educational and Psychological Measurement);
may be reports of surveys related to themes of professional interest (see American Psychologist);
may be theoretical in nature providing an exposition of constructs, assumptions, interactions among constructs, translation into empirical variables, illustrations of applications, etc. (see Psychological Bulletin and Psychological Review); and
must investigate a real problem. If it is clear from existing literature what the answer is, the thesis poses a non-problem. However, research may be conducted to solve a practical problem, provided the solution can be generalized.

The forms on this Web site are interactive Microsoft Word documents. Click on the link to download the appropriate form to the computer's desktop. The form should be completed on the computer. Hand written forms will not be accepted. If there is a problem downloading or completing a form on the computer, contact the Graduate Psychology Programs Office by e-mail. Completed forms should be printed and then signed and dated by the appropriate parties. Students are responsible for obtaining required signatures from their thesis committee chair, committee member, and their program or sequence coordinator before submitting any forms to the Graduate Psychology Programs Office. Department approval is obtained by the Graduate Psychology Programs Office; if additional approval is required from the Graduate School, the department will submit the necessary forms.

Students who want to register for their first hour of PSY 499 Master's Thesis must complete the Preliminary Department Approval of Thesis Committee Chair and Topic form, and obtain the appropriate signatures. Students must submit the signed form to the Graduate Psychology Programs Office for department approval and for a course override for PSY 499. Students will be notified if the form and course override has been approved. Students cannot register for PSY 499 until the override has been approved.

When a second faculty member has agreed to serve on the thesis committee, students should complete the Department Approval of Thesis Committee and Topic form, and obtain the appropriate signatures. Students must submit the signed form to the Graduate Psychology Programs Office for department approval.

The Change of Thesis Committee/Project form is only required if students request a change in either the members of their thesis committee or a significant change in the thesis topic or research. Students should consult with their thesis committee chair to determine if the Change form is required.

The following information and forms are on the Graduate School Thesis Assistance Web site:

Guide for Writers of Theses
Thesis proposal form (Proposal Approval Form for Research Leading to a Master's Thesis)
Committee exception form (Request for Exception to Graduate Council Bylaws for Thesis Committees)

Consult the Thesis Principles and Guidelines to determine when these forms are required.

NOTE: There are subtle differences between the Graduate School thesis information and that of the department. Students are expected to comply with all Department of Psychology requirements to successfully complete thesis requirements.