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MSW Thesis Option

MSW Thesis Option . Why do a thesis?. To pursue a particular interest To contribute to a field of knowledge or practice To lay the groundwork for later projects (practice or research) To enhance skills and academic record in preparation for subsequent studies. Why not?.

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MSW Thesis Option

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  1. MSW Thesis Option

  2. Why do a thesis? • To pursue a particular interest • To contribute to a field of knowledge or practice • To lay the groundwork for later projects (practice or research) • To enhance skills and academic record in preparation for subsequent studies

  3. Why not? • Demanding, sometimes frustrating work • Alters your program • Requires strong writing skills • Requires strong motivation and discipline • May take longer than the normal length of your program (which may mean additional tuition) • Costs of data collection if no funding

  4. Thesis Option is not available to Students in integrated stream

  5. Last 6 weeks (or 18 days) of first placement 3 courses 2 electives Winter term of practicum (45 days) Full time 2 year & Part-time 4 year Adv Standing Full & Part time Adv Standing Full time Adv StandingPart time Exemptions for Thesis students

  6. Exemptions Exempted courses must be completed if student subsequently withdraws from thesis option unless a petition for course credit is approved.

  7. Time Line

  8. Begin thinking about area of interest and possible topics Meet with Associate Dean: MSW program to identify potential faculty advisors Begin meeting with appropriate faculty members Use SK504 to develop research proposal Full time programs, in September and October of Year 1 Part time 4 yr over the course of Year 1 When course offered for cohort Exploring the possibility

  9. Declare intent to register by ASAP (end of September). Inform Practicum Coordinator End of Sept., Mid October, Term 1 (let Practicum Coordinator know on portal), must confirm by end of first term if want exemption from placement June, Year 1 (let Practicum Coordinator know on portal) Adv Standing full time 2yr full time program Adv Standing Part-time Part-time 4 year Declaration of intent to register

  10. Decide on working topic Negotiate with faculty who will serve as thesis advisor Choose other committee members (with advisor’s help) Submit to Ass. Dean proposal approval form (Part 1)as notification of intent Full time 2 yr by end ofTerm 1 Adv Standing Full time and part time by endof Term 1 Part time 4 yr by end of Term 4 (fall, yr 2) Getting set up:

  11. Steps in producing a thesis:(all in consultation with Advisor) • Develop a proposal draft • Committee reviews, gives feedback and approves (get proposal approval form signed and submit to Associate Dean) • Register for thesis SK698 • WLU Research Ethics Review • Collect and analyze data • Write up • Committee review, feedback, revision • Oral defense (fill out request to schedule oral examination form) submit to Associate Dean

  12. Sounds Easy! • Committee may ask for extensive revisions at beginning and end • Data collection may be more difficult than anticipated • Analysis may take longer than anticipated (especially qualitative) • Organizing write-up may be more challenging than anticipated • Pace and intensity of work may be difficult to sustain

  13. Sounds Scary! • Your Advisor and your committee are on your side: They want you to succeed. • Your Advisor will not let you go forward to defense unless s/he believes you have a defensible thesis. • If you are organized, write well, handle constructive feedback well, take responsibility for your learning and can take initiative, you can do this. • Remember: Others have done it!

  14. Possible Funding Sources • OGS • SSHRC Canada Masters Award • CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships - $17,500 per annum for up to one year (Apply directly) • SSHRC $17,500 for 12 months • See Grad Studies website re: sources of external and internal funding and how to apply. • Scholarship and Bursary opportunities (student awards website)

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