Thesis or non-thesis?

[dmacfour]

I'm currently having a dilemma as to whether I should do a thesis or not. I'm studying Human Factors and Ergonomics (engineering psychology). If I do a comp exam, I can take the rest of my courses online (9 credits of courses). It would cost me $2000 to take these courses part time. If I do a thesis, I'd have to continue as a full time student for a year (most likely). This would cost me $7100 in tuition at the very least. I only get $8000 through my assistantship, so I'd probably be have to take out $10,000+ in student loans to cover living expenses. If I'm not planning on continuing in academia, is a thesis worth it at this cost? Regardless of the option I choose, I'll still end up with 2 publications.

[iphi]

I assume this is a Master's? They told us in my program that if you have no plans to ever progress in academia (absolutely no PhD ever) then you can take the non-thesis option.

Edited April 4, 2013 by iphi

[Nerd_For_Life]

If you're sure you're not planning on going further in academia, I'd go with the non-thesis option.

[Guest ppprrrr]

I'm currently having the same problem. Apart from furthering a PhD after the completion of a Master's program, are there any differences between a thesis option and a non-thesis one in the sense of job opportunities in the future?? would a non-thesis one decrease my chance to take up a good position in the future?

[fuzzylogician]

Without knowing much about your field or requirements for positions you might want to hold in the future, I think it's a safe bet that most employers will care about you credentials (that is, your education as well as other skills) and perhaps your grades (though not necessarily) but they will care less how much research you got done in school, unless the job is one that involves research. Since a thesis is mostly an opportunity to engage in independent research on a somewhat larger scale than you'd do as an undergrad or for masters classes, I'd say there is not much additional value in doing it if you're not planning to pursue a career that involves research, whether through a PhD or not.

[nehs]

I actually think the reverse -- if going for a PhD, why not leave the entire thesis/dissertation for the PhD stage. If the master's is probably the terminal degree for you, why not experience the thesis and have a piece of work?

 

Also, the one thing I am learning from my master's thesis which is currently underway is that the idea is important but whati s more important is to be able to convey the idea.

Edited May 10, 2013 by nehs

[Francophile1]

Actually I am battling the same question. I am in the humanities field (languages) and just starting my MA, as I understand in my university many students opt for the non thesis option primarily because the MA is part of the PhD (and most people there just continue onto the PhD), but I am planning to consider various PhD options so I have heard that it is better to write a thesis to apply to a PhD program after the MA.

Any input on this?

[fuzzylogician]

One of the main advantages of doing an MA is being able to create a strong writing sample (your thesis). Do you have other options that would be good enough? Another advantage to the thesis option is that it helps develop your research interests and gives you some experience doing the kind of research that you'll be doing for your phd. Do you have sufficient experience aside from the thesis? The thesis will also allow you to work closely with a professor and hopefully get a strong LOR that will talk about your research abilities. Do you have such LORs already? Depending on where you stand now, you stand to gain different advantages for your applications.

[ay761]

I have a question in regards to this.  I am in the field of education and came to this masters program specifically in part because I thought we had the option of completing a thesis (it's a two year program and all the rest I was considering were one year).  As it turns out, our two options are taking comprehensive exams or completing something called a "capstone" project that is about 40-50 pages long and doesn't involve original research.  I have been told that the department feels that original research is something done for a dissertation and not to be done at the masters level... in part because there is no time.  I can understand why they think there is no time now that I am here and realize how busy my schedule will be, even during the summer, but it still worries me.  

 

I really want to apply for PhD programs... is this going to hurt me?  I guess I can potentially get a writing sample out of it or another paper I complete, but will it hurt if it doesn't involve original research? If I do a lot of internships, RA / TA positions etc. will it help make up for this? 

 

Thanks.  

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

One of the main advantages of doing an MA is being able to create a strong writing sample (your thesis). Do you have other options that would be good enough? Another advantage to the thesis option is that it helps develop your research interests and gives you some experience doing the kind of research that you'll be doing for your phd. Do you have sufficient experience aside from the thesis? The thesis will also allow you to work closely with a professor and hopefully get a strong LOR that will talk about your research abilities. Do you have such LORs already? Depending on where you stand now, you stand to gain different advantages for your applications.

Fuzzy makes very good points. I think a thesis track is a very good idea if you plan on continuing for a PhD, but it's not necessary. As Fuzzy said, like when applying the MA programs, you need a writing sample, letters of recommendation, and research experience. A thesis is a way to get all three. However, you can still gain all these things on your own without going the thesis route, but you'd have to very self-motivated. But if you already have a good enough writing sample, enough quality research, and strong enough letters of recommendation, then an MA thesis isn't really necessary. It can't hurt though. Plus, PhD programs usually have a few required writings/papers aside from the dissertation, and many times the MA thesis could fulfill one of these. 

[Chiqui74]

Many programs have a report option as an alternative to a thesis.  The report, which is shorter than a thesis and is produced as part of a research seminar, still gives you a hefty writing sample.

[redheadacademic]

I have a question in regards to this.  I am in the field of education and came to this masters program specifically in part because I thought we had the option of completing a thesis (it's a two year program and all the rest I was considering were one year).  As it turns out, our two options are taking comprehensive exams or completing something called a "capstone" project that is about 40-50 pages long and doesn't involve original research.  I have been told that the department feels that original research is something done for a dissertation and not to be done at the masters level... in part because there is no time.  I can understand why they think there is no time now that I am here and realize how busy my schedule will be, even during the summer, but it still worries me.  

 

I really want to apply for PhD programs... is this going to hurt me?  I guess I can potentially get a writing sample out of it or another paper I complete, but will it hurt if it doesn't involve original research? If I do a lot of internships, RA / TA positions etc. will it help make up for this? 

 

Thanks.  

 

 

Ay761, I graduated in May with a terminal master's (MPS) in public relations that also had a capstone project as its final project. I pleaded my case and was allowed - as the first one in this program - to do original research and write a thesis. It was one of the harder things I have ever done, but I am so glad I did it. I had to find additional readers and experts at other universities - and I found gracious and kind experts in the field who were willing to help me (from schools around the country). I am now working on two journal submissions and a book chapter with them - all based on my thesis. I just started a (funded) PhD program, and one of the kind second readers is now my dissertation advisor. 

 

All this to say - I would not give up on the thesis yet. Personally - and this very well may be different for you - writing a thesis was both the hardest and best experience of my (two-year) master's program.