• Graduate Programs
  • Mission Statement
  • M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling
  • M.Ed. Community Development and Action
    • Program of Studies
    • Culminating Experience
      • Thesis
      • Final Project
      • Comprehensive Examinations
    • CDA Practicum
    • CDA Faculty
    • Recent CDA Graduates
    • CDA Student Handbook
    • Glossary of Acronyms & Terms
  • Ph.D. in Community Research and Action
• HOD Undergraduate Program
• Faculty and Staff
• Center for Community Studies
• Fieldschool in Intercultural Education
• Newbrough Graduate Award

CDA Master's Thesis

The master's thesis is an experience in independent scholarly research which is intended to contribute to the field of community development.

Academic Credit

The student may earn academic credit while developing their thesis through HOD 3100 Community Inquiry (required-3 credits), HOD 3870 Thesis Development Seminar (required - 3 credits) and HOD 3690 Masters Thesis Research (optional - 3 credits).

Proposal

A proposal must include an introduction, problem statement, literature review and description of methodology to be used. The student must also include for the committee a detailed plan and timeline demonstrating how they will go about the research and finish in the proposed time limits.

Committee

The committee consists of the thesis chair and a minimum of one other faculty member who will serve as a reader. The chair must be a community studies core faculty member. Faculty from other departments in the college/university whose expertise relates to the content of the thesis paper may be invited to serve on the committee.

Assessment

The thesis will be evaluated by the committee and a grade of "pass with high distinction," "pass" or "fail" will be awarded. The thesis must be approved by a minimum of the thesis chair, the CDA program director and the HOD department chair.

Timeline