Thesis/Capstone Requirements

In addition to coursework and fieldwork credits, each program has specific requirements for the student’s culminating work.

The Art of Teaching master’s thesis consists of a written and oral presentation. In the final spring semester, second-year students register for a five-credit thesis and graduate seminar course.

The Art of Teaching and Child Development dual degree has a master’s project that consists of an original research-based thesis that integrates both theory and practice. In the third year, students complete the thesis over two six-credit courses at Sarah Lawrence as a fall-spring sequence. Students are also required to concurrently enroll in a five-credit thesis completion and graduate seminar course in the spring semester.

The Child Development program has a master’s project that consists of an original research-based thesis. In the second year, students complete the thesis over two six-credit courses as a fall-spring sequence.

The Child Development/Master of Social Work dual degree has a master’s project that consists of an original research-based thesis. In the third year, students complete the thesis over two six-credit courses at Sarah Lawrence as a fall-spring sequence.

The Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics requires a culminating, yearlong, 12-credit thesis project in the final year.

The Dance/Movement Therapy program requires a culminating two-credit master’s thesis in the final spring semester.

Students in the Health Advocacy program are required to complete a yearlong thesis project as part of the requirements for a two-semester Capstone Seminar course sequence. Additionally, students must engage in 300 hours of supervised fieldwork as part of the requirements for a two-semester practicum course sequence.

The Dance program requires second-year students to develop a 12-credit, yearlong master’s project including choreography and performance, as well as an accompanying written thesis.

The Theatre program requires second-year students to complete a 12-credit, yearlong master’s project, including both a performance project and a substantial piece of critical writing. Students must enroll in Embodied Thesis to develop and present their MFA performance project throughout the academic year. Students are also required to take Critical Writing, where they will produce a 5,000-word essay that includes an interview and citations in MLA format.

The Writing program requires a two-credit master’s thesis that includes either a single manuscript or a collection of multiple pieces of written work and completed over the final two semesters.

Students must make consistent, adequate progress over the duration of the thesis period in order to continue with the thesis and with the program. This includes completing thesis milestones within the timeframe outlined for each program in the program handbook and/or in other provided thesis materials. After each successful thesis semester, a temporary grade of IP (in progress) is given. Upon final thesis submission, a P (pass) for allotted thesis credits is awarded. Failure to successfully complete thesis requirements in a timely manner may result in failure of one or more thesis semesters. Each semester beyond the standard thesis duration incurs additional cost. Course repeats are billed at the same rate as initial course enrollment.

In the case of first thesis-semester failure, where applicable, students may be able to repeat the failed semester, which may delay the student’s expected degree completion, as determined by the program director. Course repeats are billed at the same rate as initial course enrollment.

In the case of final thesis-semester failure, students must submit an appeal to the program director and dean of graduate and professional studies to repeat the thesis work. The student may be required to complete the entire thesis course sequence, which may delay the student’s expected degree completion, as determined by the program director.

Final theses must be approved by the thesis adviser, the second reader (if applicable), and the program director. Students should submit approved thesis work to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies by May 1 for a spring degree completion; August 1 for an August degree completion (for students with approval for a summer thesis extension, see below); or December 1 for a fall degree completion.

In exceptional circumstances, students may be granted an incomplete or an extension on their thesis work of no more than one month following the end of the semester at no additional tuition. An extension must be approved by the thesis adviser, the program director, and the dean of graduate and professional studies. Typically, such extensions are granted when the student encounters unpredicted academic or personal challenges within the last month of the semester. Expected May graduates who extend their thesis past the end of the spring semester are eligible for the subsequent August degree conferral.

In certain cases, students may request to complete the thesis in the summer following a yearlong thesis project. The student must have completed all other degree requirements and must have made adequate thesis progress for the thesis adviser and program director to confirm that the thesis can be completed within two months. To request a summer thesis extension, students are expected to submit a Change of Status form on MySLC with appropriate explanation, reviewed by the thesis adviser, the program director, and the dean of graduate and professional studies. If approved, the student must register for thesis completion during summer course registration. A complete final draft is due to the thesis adviser on July 1, and a final approved draft must be submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies by August 1 to be considered for an August degree conferral. Students granted a summer thesis extension will be billed a summer thesis extension fee.

In certain cases, students may request one additional semester beyond the standard thesis duration with a thesis completion fee. The student must have completed all other degree requirements and must have made adequate progress on the thesis for the thesis adviser and program director to confirm that the thesis can be completed in a subsequent semester. To request an additional thesis semester, students are expected to submit a Change of Status form on MySLC with appropriate explanation, reviewed by the thesis adviser, the program director, and the dean of graduate and professional studies. If approved, the student must register for thesis completion during the course-registration period for the upcoming semester and incur a thesis completion fee. Typically, students are not granted more than one additional semester for thesis completion. If a second extension is necessary, however, this same procedure must again be followed.