Thesis Schedule Step-by-Step
1. a) Consider a topic area and formally ask (in person) a tenured/tenure track Psychology professor to serve as your committee Chair. Begin literature review.
b) Report Chair’s agreement to the Graduate Advisor (it will be confirmed).
c) Enroll in 698 for either 3 or all 6 units (depending on how many semesters you expect to take before graduating, maximum total required is 6 units for all programs). You must have a committee Chair to enroll in thesis units.
When: approximately 2-3 semesters before you plan to graduate, usually your second or third semester here for a & b.
2. Write a proposal (see MA/MS Thesis Proposal Guide) and get at least two other committee members.
3. Rewrite proposal to satisfy committee that it is ready for preliminary orals. Start saving money for typing, supplies, thesis publication, etc.
4. Announce preliminary orals to department via email attachment to thesis chair.
Give hardcopy of thesis proposal to Graduate Advisor.
(See “Orals Announcements and Abstract Guide”)
When: Five (5) school days (1 week) before date of meeting.
Announcement must be emailed to your thesis chair at least one week in advance.
RESERVE ROOM.
5. Approval of proposal signed by committee (this form is provided to your committee directly from the Graduate Advisor – meeting adjourned if necessary for satisfactory rewrites).
Secure approval of your project by the University IRB Committee prior to initiating your research (see IRB discussion).
6. File “Request to Graduate” (AKA “Grad Check”) via your MyCSULB account. Students seeking to graduate in May or August must file their Grad Check between the preceding March 2nd and October 15th to be on time. Students seeking to graduate in December must file between the preceding October 16th and March 1st. Additional information on Graduation for graduate students may be found on the Enrollment Services web site.
7. Print out (or at least read) PDF version of Format Manual for Theses and Dissertations via University Library web site, and get typists’ information via typists’ list on web site, if not formatting manuscript yourself. Phone or email typists until you have hired one.
When: At time of preliminary orals, or at least the semester prior to graduation semester.
8. Once committee and IRB (University Research Office) gives clearance, conduct study and analyze and interpret data.
9. Write first thesis draft to be given to committee Chair. [Consult prior theses via library web site (linked from MA/MS Thesis lists: MAPR MSHF MSIO) — and the Format Manual for Theses and Dissertations, APA Publication Manual, and Turabian style manual (if necessary) for basic format and reference style.]
10. Rewrite thesis draft as required by committee Chair and submit to other committee members.
11. Rewrite again as needed until you have a draft with which your committee is willing to go to Final Orals.
12. Give each committee member a copy of the Final Orals draft, including a 150-word max. abstract (used in draft and orals announcement). (The Graduate Advisor does not need a copy of the final draft.)
When: One – two weeks before Final Orals date.
13. Announce Final Orals to department via thesis chair (same format basically as for preliminary orals, but with findings summarized).
When: Five (5) school days (one week) before meeting.
14. Final Orals (See Final Orals discussion).
15. Set up your Electronic Signature page. Make changes in the thesis as required by your committee. Show it to Chair and other committee members. At this point you should check the thesis very carefully for grammatical and format errors. Polish and correct it for the typist or submission.
16. Thesis to typist.
When: At least 10 days before CLA Assoc Dean’s thesis submission deadline date. Check with typist as to schedule and availability.
17. Proofread the typed thesis using your draft and the thesis office’s online formatting guide. Make list of errors; have typist correct errors as instructed.
When: At least 5 days before CLA deadline.
18. Go around to committee members with thesis/email thesis manuscript to committee members, if another viewing required.
When: Before thesis deadline date. (At least 5 days before deadline date, in case you cannot connect with all members.)
19. Submit your completed, formatted thesis to Deborah Thien, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts (send as a PDF attachment to Deborah.Thien@csulb.edu) for approval, by her published deadline. Your Electronic Approval/Signature sheet must be signed by your Committee members in the meantime.
When: 1-2 weeks before the thesis submission deadline.
20. The Thesis Office will be notified when the Associate Dean signs your electronic signature sheet. An email acknowledgement will be sent to you, with instructions on how to submit your thesis manuscript electronically (a $95 fee will be required at this time).
When: Within one school day.
21. You will be notified of required corrections from the Thesis and Dissertation Office.
When: Within four weeks of original electronic thesis submission (up to six weeks during peak times).
22. Make corrections/take to typist for corrections to be made. Submit corrected thesis electronically.
When: Within two weeks of Thesis Office’s notification of required corrections.
23. Once your thesis is cleared (no more corrections required), you’ll be notified the submission process is complete.
24. Be advised: Enrollment Services will not begin degree clearance until the beginning of the next term (i.e., students who submit by Summer deadline will be cleared for graduation during the following fall semester). Also, the University does not print your diploma — it is done by an outside company, which takes time. The Enrollment Services Office will ask you if you wish to pick it up or to have it mailed. Keep your contact information up-to-date with the Enrollment Services Office, via your MyCSULB account. Also, notify the Thesis and Dissertation Office if your contact information changes (as well as the Graduate Advisor!).
Note: Going through Commencement ceremonies does not mean you have graduated: “Anyone can walk.” So if you know you will be long gone the May after you have been cleared for graduation, you may wish to go through ceremonies while still here (you’ll be glad you did!).