Master's Degree Plan B
The Plan B master's option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art. At least 2 credits of thesis research are required but no more than 3 credits of thesis credit can be included on the Program of Study form.
The Plan B paper is usually a review of literature with conclusions drawn after conceptualizing an area of inquiry, planning a systematic search, and analyzing and critiquing the acquired information. The summary and conclusions developed should enhance knowledge in the discipline.
Plan B papers and reports should follow the same format specifications as theses and dissertations and are expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards, even though they may be less intensive and not demand the originality of a Plan A thesis. Plan B papers are defended, but are not reviewed by the School of Graduate Studies assistant dean or signed by the dean of graduate studies. Plan B papers must be submitted to the Merrill-Cazier Library and the binding receipt must be returned to the School of Graduate Studies.
Master's Degree Plan B Forms
Supervisory Committee Approval form
Click here to download the form.
Due: By the end of the first semester
Signatures needed: Department head, initials from all committee members
Program of Study form
Click here to download the form.
Due: By the end of the second semester
Signatures needed: Major professor, committee members, department head, student
Appointment for Examination form
Click here to download the form.
Due: At least 10 working days prior to the defense
Signatures needed: Major professor, committee members
Master's Degree Plan B Checklist
Click here to download a printable checklist
- Committee form approved and up-to-date (end of the first semester).
- Program of Study form approved (before end of the second semester). All courses listed on the form have been taken and grades submitted. If there is to be any change on the Program of Study form, an e-mail from your major professor, sent to Laura Holley, is needed authorizing the change.
- No coursework (excluding transfer credit) on the Program of Study form is out-of-date (older than 6 years). If so, has the major professor been notified? If revalidation is allowed by the department, the major professor must send a letter to the dean of the Graduate School outlining how the courses will be revalidated.
- Appointment for Examination form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at least 10 working days before the final examination.
- Registered for at least 3 credit hours the semester of defense.
- Record of Exam Completion form signed by committee and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
- Graduation forms completed, fees paid, and forms returned to the School of Graduate Studies (these forms are listed below and are given at your final defense):
- Commencement data card
- Diploma Fee ($15)
- Graduation Fee Payment form ($15)
- Alumni file card
- Student survey
- Incomplete grades for research credits changed.
- Letter from the department stating that all requirements have been completed has been submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
- Plan B binding receipt from the library returned to the School of Graduate Studies.