Master's Advising Guide: Research Options

The Master of Science degree program may be either the Thesis or Non-Thesis option.

Thesis Option

The purpose of a thesis is to obtain new knowledge. Students will work closely with their graduate committee to identify an appropriate topic and conduct research to obtain new knowledge in a systematic manner. AGR EDUC 885 will provide many of the skills and the knowledge necessary to complete a thesis, so students may wish to enroll in 885 early in their program. One may wish to examine some of the Master of Science theses completed by former students. These theses may be examined in the Agricultural Library, Room 207 and/or the office of the thesis adviser. A thesis is not necessarily more work than a project.

Non-Thesis (Project) Option

The purpose of a project is to place existing knowledge in a more usable form for agricultural education. The Non-Thesis option is often utilized by part-time students. Adequate resources or a period of time for concentrated study and research may not be readily available for the student to complete a thesis that contributes new knowledge to the field. Therefore, the student may elect the Non-Thesis option and complete a project that, generally, applies or restructures existing knowledge. Oftentimes, the Non-Thesis project is directly related to the student's present or future professional work.

A Non-Thesis project will be a creative endeavor such as a teaching manual, teaching materials project, field study, self-study package, evaluation material, or a needs survey. Students may want to review the list of past projects for additional topic suggestions.

Major Distinctions Between Thesis and Non-Thesis Options

	Thesis Option	Non-Thesis Option
Total hours (minimum)	45	45
Hours of research, independent study or advanced studies*	3-6	3-6
Minimum hours in Agricultural Education	16	16
Minimum hours other than Agricultural Education	9	9
Written examination	None	4 hours
Oral examination:      core subject areas	1 hour	1 hour
thesis or project	1 hour	1 hour

* Hours for Thesis Option students are often all in AGR EDUC 999, Research, and often 2-3 hours in one quarter to plan the thesis (write the proposal); and 2-3 hours in a later quarter to conduct the research and finish writing the thesis. The number of total hours for a thesis is essentially determined by the adviser/committee based upon the scope of the thesis. Hours for Non-Thesis option students are often 2-3 hours in AGR EDUC 993, Individual Studies, to plan the project; and 3-5 hours in AGR EDUC 889, Advanced Studies, to finish the project. The number of total hours for a project is determined by the adviser/committee based upon the scope of the project.

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