Synthetic Master's Thesis

The thesis is an integral part of the intellectual formation for on-campus students.  The thesis provides an opportunity to conduct serious research and to articulate the results of this research in a coherently organized and well argued thesis. 

The application deadline for this degree requirement is the last day of the spring semester prior to a student's final year of study. After consulting with a faculty member of his choosing to determine the suitability of the thesis topic and the faculty member's willingness to direct the study and writing, the student must present a completed Thesis Proposal form, along with a thesis statement, preliminary bibliography and an outline of the proposed thesis to his director. The director will then forward the full proposal to the Academic Dean. While it isn't necessary to obtain another reader for the thesis, an individual's director or the Dean may suggest one when a thesis topic crosses disciplinary lines or otherwise calls for more than one area of expertise in a director. The 30-50 page thesis is due in early April (or the end of November).   All candidates must successfully present their thesis at a defense before the faculty and his or her peers at the Institute Viva Voce (see below).

The grade for the thesis is divided into three parts. The introduction and first draft are due at the beginning of the semester before completion of the thesis and is weighted 10% of the final thesis grade. A full draft is due during the middle of the semester before completion and is weighted 40% of the final thesis grade. The final copy is due at the end of the semester and is weighted 50% of the final thesis grade. A schedule of exact deadlines will be provided.

Those who delay writing their thesis after having finished their coursework must enroll and pay for a “Continuing Registration” fee equivalent to one credit hour for each semester that they delay the submission of the thesis to remain eligible for the degree. Those students who write the thesis but do not successfully complete it within the semester in which they register for it must register for the non-credit “Thesis Completion,” with fees equivalent to one credit hour. Uncompleted theses will be given an “NR” on their transcript, which will become a letter grade upon completion. If a thesis is not completed after two semesters of registering for the “Thesis Completion” the thesis will then receive the grade of “F.” Scholarship award monies cannot be applied toward the Continuing Registration Fee or the Thesis Completion. Note that one cannot earn the course credit for the thesis without completing the thesis.

Viva Voce

On the last two Fridays before the last week of classes each candidate for the Masters of Arts Degree from the Augustine Institute must defend his or her thesis project at a Viva Voce. This defense will consist of a 10 minute presentation followed by up to 20 minutes of questions from members of the Augustine Institute faculty.