Thesis Regulations

Updated March 2022.

A thesis (normally 100 to 120 pages) embodies the results of your original research and exposes your work to scholarly criticism. To pass the thesis requirement, your examination committee must pass both the written thesis and your performance in an oral examination.

All students who are completing a degree by thesis or dissertation must prepare a thesis/dissertation proposal.  

For York-based students, the Thesis and Dissertation Proposal regulations are set out in some detail in the Guidelines for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations published by York University’s Faculty of Graduate Studies and on York's ComCult website.

The information below pertains to TMU-based students.

Thesis Option Requests

Students will first need to apply to the program director to complete their degree via the thesis option. Consideration will be given to the student’s academic standing and progress through the program. Students who are not granted permission to write a thesis must make sure they complete the additional course requirement for the Major Research Paper option. Those students considering moving on to doctoral studies should be advised that a master’s research paper or project is acceptable to pursue doctoral studies.

If permission to write a thesis is granted, students are required to submit to the appropriate program office a formal proposal for the thesis, approved by the supervisor.

The submission deadlines are as follows:

Proposal

The proposal contains a brief statement in non-technical language on the purpose of the research, its relationship to existing work in the area, and the contribution that the researcher hopes to make to the advancement of knowledge in the field. In addition, the proposal includes a title, the name of the supervisor and the supervisory committee. The title should indicate as clearly as possible the area of research, but it is understood that this title may change. The maximum length of a proposal is 3,500 words. Students prepare a proposal in consultation with their supervisors, then submit it to the Program Director. At York, the Program Director is responsible for submitting the proposals to the Dean of Graduate Studies once internal program requirements in regard to proposals have been satisfied. See below for program specific requirements.

Length: 8 - 10 pages + bibliography (maximum = 3500 words)

Format:

1. Title: state briefly and directly the subject of the research
   
2. Introduction: brief description of the project and its rationale
   
3. Objectives:
   1. research problem, question or hypothesis
      
   2. theoretical perspective
      
   3. expected contribution to the field (the originality of the work must be demonstrated)
      
4.  Methods and Sources
   
   1. brief description of research methods to be employed
      
   2. description of sources to be employed
      
   3. discussion of any anticipated problems of access (to research subjects, archives, media content, etc.) and how they will be dealt with
      
5. Relationship to existing literature or professional practice
   
   1. identify and briefly discuss the research or professional “stream” to which you wish to contribute
      
   2. provide a brief overview of the dominant theoretical perspectives / professional practices in this stream
      
   3. indicate where your work fits in and / or where it challenges these perspectives and / or practices
      
6. Proposed chapter or section outline (structure of thesis)
   
7. Proposed time line for completion of the work
8. Select Bibliography
   1. theoretical works relevant to chosen methodology
      
   2. works bearing on the substance of the topic.
9. Footnotes should be kept to a minimum. Any accepted citation form may be used.
   

Research Ethics

All research involving humans must be reviewed and approved by the university's Research Ethics Board (REB) prior to commencement of the study.  Students must familiarize themselves with the relevant policies (see Human Ethics)

No research involving human participants shall be undertaken without the prior approval of the Research Ethics Board (REB).

Composition of Supervisory Committees

The membership of the supervisory committee must conform to FGS / YSGPS regulations and be approved by the program director. The committee is normally composed of three members, (including one from each university). who should remain on the committee throughout the student’s research, including:

• the student’s supervisor(s), and
• two faculty members from the ComCult program  

Normally all members of supervisory committees must be formally affiliated with the ComCult program and/or a member of FGS/YSGPS.

In exceptional circumstances, and with the permission of the program director, the committee may include a TMU or York faculty member who is not a member of YSGPS or FGS.  

Supervisor & Supervisory Committee Approval form

Role of the Supervisory Committee:

• meet regularly with the student;
• review the student's preparedness and establish a timeline of expected progress;
• update the GPD when the student successfully completes a noncourse program component and has set a research topic;
• formally approve the thesis proposal;
• evaluate the readiness of the thesis to be examined and,
• with a minimum of majority agreement, make a recommendation to the GPD regarding the formation of the Examining Committee.

Once a student has begun the non-course requirements for the program they will be assigned a performance designation at the end of each term by their Supervisor or Supervisory Committee.

Readiness for Examination

The supervisor(s) or supervisory committee, in consultation with the student, will determine if the thesis is ready to stand for defence and will establish an
Examining Committee and schedule the defence. If consensus is not reached with regard to readiness, the student has the right to petition the Program Director. See  (PDF file) Senate Policy 170(b), Section 16 for more information.

 (google form) Oral Defence Scheduling Request Form (external link)  must be completed no less than four weeks before the date set for the defence. Upon request, the student should ensure each member of the Examining Committee receive a hard copy of the thesis at least two weeks before the date set for the oral examination.

Thesis Formatting Guidelines

The thesis must be prepared and submitted in strict accordance with procedures outlined by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Library and Archives Canada. The responsibility for formatting and submitting the correct format rests with the author.

Download the Thesis, MRP, and Dissertation Guidelines

The Examining Committee

The Examining Committee is composed of a minimum of four members:

• the student’s supervisor(s), and
• two faculty members from the ComCult program 
  
• The program director, or designate, who will serve as Chair.

Normally, the student will provide the final document for examination three to four weeks before the scheduled defence. In exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of all committee members, the student can provide the final document for examination at least two weeks prior to the defence.   

For more information about the conduct of the examination, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy 170(b), Section 21 "Master Thesis Requirements".

Thesis examinations are public, and the Chair has the authority to exclude persons whose conduct disturbs the examination. 

Graduate Student Support

Student Life and Learning Support offers services for graduate students. Book an individual appointment to discuss research papers, grant applications, theses and dissertations. Graduate students can join a graduate writing group, meet with a dissertation coach, or attend our Dissertation Retreats to develop academic skills specific to graduate education.