The thesis is a distinct contribution to knowledge of a field of study based on autonomous research.

Specifically, the thesis —

•  demonstrates the candidate’s capability to pursue original research in the field of study based on a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline;

•  consists of the candidate’s own account of his/her research;

• gives a critical assessment of the relevant literature, describes the method of research and its findings, including a discussion of those findings, and indicates in what respects they appear to the candidate to advance the study of the subject;

• embodies the results of an empirical research program carried out after the registration of the student for the MA degree and which may reasonably be expected of a student, taking into account the required length of the thesis and maximum period of registration for the program;

• is written in English or Filipino and is satisfactory in its literary and/or technical presentation and structure with a full bibliography and references;

• makes clear the sources from which information has been derived, the extent to which the work of others has been used, and the areas which are claimed as original;

•  is not more than 20,000 words (exclusive of appendices, the list of references and bibliographies but including footnotes, endnotes, glossary, maps, diagrams and tables). Appendices should only include material which panel members are not required to read in order to examine the thesis, but to which they may refer if they wish; and

• h)    is of a standard to merit publication in whole or in part or in a revised form (for example, as a monograph or as a journal article).

The thesis represents the culminating requirement in the MA for those who take the thesis track. It is undertaken after completion of the required course work (30 units under under the MA curriculum revised as of 13 December 2012) with a general weighted average of 2.0 or better.

Given the normal load of six units per semester, a student completes his/her course work within 5-6 semesters, and registers for the thesis on the fourth year of study.

A student who is ready to undertake the thesis enrols in the six-unit SSE 300 on a regular semester, with prior approval of the program chair. The thesis is not a taught course that is completed within one semester. Work on the thesis usually extends to at least two semesters. It consists of the following stages:

Stage 1:  Capsule proposal preparation and research proposal presentation

Stage 2: Research implementation, analysis and report preparation

Stage 3: Examination of the thesis

All of these stages except the initial steps in the first stage are undertaken under the supervision of a thesis adviser (not an FIC).

Work on the thesis usually requires a minimum of two semesters. The actual duration will depend on the student working hand in hand with the Program Chair and the designated Adviser. Most students take more than a year from the proposal phase (Phase 1) and the research study implementation phase (Phase 2) and up to the thesis manuscript writing (Phase 3).

However, a student enrolls SSE 300 only once. After the first semester of enrollment, the student enrolls for residency every semester until he/she completes the last stage of work on the thesis, namely, successful oral defense of the thesis report.