Thesis versus Comprehensive Exam

[yumangous]

I've seen that most master's in SLP programs have the thesis versus comprehensive exam option. I would appreciate information about the pros and cons of choosing each one.  

 

Thanks in advance!

[queenleblanc]

Some programs accept the Praxis in place of the comprehensive exam.  Either way, to be a licensed CCC-SLP you will have to pass the praxis (so check to see if that is in place of the comps if you pass within a certain timeline).  My program advises us to take the praxis in January or no later than March of the final Spring semester to make sure there is enough time for the scores to come back and exempt you from taking the comprehensive exam.  

 

As far as the thesis ... I am doing one.  It is a lengthy process that takes about a year and a half.  It is very formal and requires an advisor/mentor, committee, and a final defense before it is accepted by the university graduate school.  So, I guess what I'm doing is a "both" kind of program... my praxis will eventually take the place of the comprehensive exam, and I'm choosing to do a thesis.  

 

Check to see about praxis / comprehensive to see if your prospective schools have a similar policy as mine.  It might not be so pleasant to do comps, praxis, and thesis... and VERY stressful. 

[yumangous]

Hi CatSLP716,

 

Just to clarify, was it simply your choice to do a thesis even if your praxis scores could already take the place of your comprehensive exam? If yes, what made you decide to do a thesis given that it is a lengthy and stressful process?

 

One of the schools I'm applying to lets you choose between the MA (compre exam) and MS (thesis) option. I guess I'm still trying to convince myself to choose the thesis option because I'm sure it will be a good learning experience for me and in case I want to pursue a PhD eventually.   

[lexical_gap]

I am also doing a thesis.  Eventually, 20-30 years down the line, my goal is to become a clinical supervisor at a university teaching SLP grad students.  Doing a thesis would be beneficial for that career goal.  I have always been told, if you want to eventually get a PhD, do a thesis.

My program has a thesis vs. research project option.  So no matter what, I was going to be doing research on some level under the guidance of a professor.  It's just a matter of being a researcher for someone else's project or getting to do what I want.

 

My program does not have a comprehensive final exam, but everyone must take the Praxis.

 

Initially, it was a choice to do a thesis.  Then applied for a fellowship and received it.  A stipulation of accepting this fellowship award is that I am now required to do a thesis.

[yumangous]

Thanks lexical_gap! That's really something to consider. 

[queenleblanc]

I guess my ideas behind doing a thesis are complicated, but here they are:

 

1) One day, I might pursue a PhD.  If I decide to go down that road, I must have a thesis at the MS level.  Without one, getting in to PhD programs is likely to be more difficult.

2) I am interested in research, so working in a Professor's lab for my thesis and for his research will be highly beneficial if I want to go the route of a career in clinical research. 

3) I need a focus and a challenge outside of my clinicals, courses, etc.  Yes, I probably sound crazy.  I am one of those types of people who researches and reads and doesn't reach a stopping point, so putting that 'extra' academic energy into a thesis will be just the right outlet.  

 

One skill to be admired among clinicians who research is that they never think they know it all -- they are constantly looking for more evidence-based practice and if that means creating their own because there isn't enough research on it, they do it.  It's a highly desirable skill.  

 

All of that being said: the thesis option is NOT for everybody.  I will probably be doing more work outside of classes and clinic than the rest of my cohort.  I will most likely be working during breaks and typical vacation times on writing, researching, or whatever needs to be done.  There will be many times that I will want to do MORE reading for my thesis research and at some point I will just have to call it quits and roll with what I have.  There will also be times that I need to study more for my classes and exams that perhaps I just won't have as much time to do.  Procrastination is definitely not allowable for my vision of how this whole process works.

 

So... there is a lot to consider, but for me, I see so many more positives than negatives.  Plenty of people in MS or MA CSD programs are perfectly happy without doing the thesis option and their workload is more than enough to be academically fulfilling.  I'm just not one of those people. :-)

[yumangous]

Thanks, CatSLP716! That's very insightful. Good luck on your thesis! I'm sure you'll do great!

[ballerina18]

I'm bumping this post, because I don't think there has been much discussion on this topic.

 

I will be entering a program that has the choice of either the thesis option or the portfolio/exam (where the student is required to volunteer, do community service, patient advocacy, and write research papers in place of the thesis) option. Both tracks still have to take an oral exam and the Praxis, but I would love a discussion on the pros/cons of a thesis. Does the thesis track afford more job opportunities or better CFY application consideration? Also, how soon does an SLP graduate student have to decide if they want to do the thesis or not?

 

Thanks for any insight.

[lexical_gap]

ballerina18, the thesis vs. no thesis question is a highly individual one.

 

Do you like doing research?  Do you have career aspirations in research / becoming a professor or would you prefer being a clinician?

 

As far as job opportunities, I'd say it's a wash.  My program has had 100% job placement within 6 months after graduation for the past 3 graduating classes.  Of the 75+ students, only about a dozen wrote theses.  Again, it depends on the environment in which you want to work.  If you want to work in a specific swallowing-intensive rehab program and you have an interest in researching swallowing therapies, writing a thesis on that topic may make you a more attractive candidate as you'll have more expertise than a general SLP.  However, if your dream job is to work as an SLP in an elementary school with a variety of disorders and population types, writing a thesis may not make as much of a difference.

 

With regard to a timeline, assuming you are in 2-year program, you should definitely decide by the end of your first year.  It takes time to do a lit review, go through the proposal and IRB approval process, carry out the actual study and collect data, and writing the actual thesis.  Your advisor will set a timeline for you to follow.  The timeline my advisor gave me is roughly 14 calendar months from start to finish.  Be sure to read the fine print on any scholarships, fellowships, grants, assistantships or other awards you may receive or accept.  Some have stipulations that require you to write a thesis upon acceptance of the award.