MA Thesis

Overview

  1. The required thesis for the MA in Religion is an original work of scholarship based on independent research carried out under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. Students should start thinking about a possible topic and begin discussions with possible faculty supervisors as early as possible in the program, although students do not need to settle on a subject immediately. An early start is especially important for students planning to complete the degree in twelve months.
  2. Students register for Religion GR6112 Thesis Research & Writing in the semester in which they write the thesis as part of the requirements for the degree. The MA Program Director serves as the instructor of record for this course for all MA students. Students must identify a supervisor who will work with them on the subject matter of their thesis.
  3. The scope of the thesis should approximate a substantial article for a scholarly journal. The length of the thesis should be in the range of 40–50 pages / 10,000–15,000 words, including footnotes. A total length of 50 pages / 15,000 words should be considered a maximum, not to be exceeded without permission from the supervisor of the thesis. 

Thesis Requirements

  1. Students are responsible for finding their own faculty thesis supervisors, although the Director of the MA Program will assist students in this process. Theses also have “second readers” for evaluation purposes. A thesis may have co-supervisors, although for administrative purposes one of these must be designated as the primary supervisor with the other serving as the second reader. If a student does not identify a second reader, the Director of the MA Program will serve as a second reader for the thesis.
  2. The primary supervisor must be a current Columbia/Barnard faculty member in Religion and must hold a Ph.D. or other comparable degree; these requirements do not apply to second readers. Most academic department websites list faculty profiles and research concentrations. Students are encouraged to review faculty information to identify possible supervisors and contact faculty early to discuss possible thesis topics.
  3. Supervisors are expected to help the student formulate a topic and set of questions, guide the student through relevant literature, establish a work schedule for the project, and at a minimum, provide written feedback on a complete draft in advance of final submission (although they are encouraged to provide such feedback at earlier stages, as well). Second readers are expected only to provide a written evaluation of the final thesis and confer with the supervisor to determine a grade, although they are also welcome to provide feedback at earlier stages in the process. 
  1. Students should confirm their schedule with the MA Program Director.
  2. While the thesis course is an independent study, if there are a sufficient number of students writing a thesis in any given term, the director may organize a thesis workshop, if appropriate.
  3. Students and their supervisors should determine a schedule for the submission of preliminary drafts over the course of the semester. A complete draft should be submitted at a minimum two weeks before the deadline for submission of the final thesis to allow time for final supervisor comments and student revisions. Supervisors are expected to return the complete draft, with comments, to the student within a week of receipt. 
  1. By the submission deadline, students must submit a copy of the final version of the thesis to the primary supervisor and the second reader in whatever format (electronic or physical) the readers prefer, and an electronic copy(.pdf) to the MA Program Director. The student must also submit a copy of the Thesis Evaluation Form to the primary supervisor.
  2. The student must then work with their Primary Supervisor and Second Reader to schedule a Thesis Defense in consultation with the Director of Academic Administration and Finance. The defense shall be no more than an hour and serve as a discussion of the work.
  3. The supervisor and second reader are expected to read the work prior to the defense and afterward confer and agree on a grade, and to return the Thesis Evaluation Form to the MA Program Director by the relevant deadline. The primary supervisor is responsible for submitting the signed and graded form to the MA Program Director. Students cannot submit their own evaluation forms; an evaluation form submitted by a student will not be accepted.
  4. Evaluation of the thesis is solely in the hands of the primary supervisor and the second reader, who must reach consensus on a grade. Students must receive at least a C to pass the thesis and to be recommended for the degree.
  5. If the thesis is deemed to require major revisions that make it ineligible for a passing grade, the student is given a grade of incomplete (IN). The primary supervisor should deliver the Thesis Evaluation Form along with a description of the revisions required to the DAAF and the Director of the MA Program. The primary supervisor should also communicate clearly to the student, in writing (copying the DAAF and the Director of the MA Program), the nature of the revisions requested. Students have six months to complete the work in order to receive a letter grade, following the GSAS policy for grades of INC. The student must submit the revised thesis, along with a new Thesis Evaluation Form, within six months of the original date of submission to the primary supervisor, who will in consultation with the second reader, determine a final grade and submit a revised Thesis Evaluation Form.
  6. Students receiving grades of D or F on the revised thesis will not be recommended for the degree or permitted to revise the original thesis. Students may, however, submit for consideration a new thesis proposal.
  7. If the primary supervisor and the second reader cannot agree on a grade, they should consult with the Director of the MA Program, who will make a final determination.
  8. Deadlines are below. Deadlines are at 2:00 PM. If any of the deadlines fall on a weekend, the Friday immediately preceding shall be considered the deadline. 

Submission Deadlines