For students in philology or archaeology the thesis should ordinarily grow out of the student's work in courses, seminars, or independent reading; it is a good idea to begin with a term paper and investigate the subject more fully and/or to adapt the paper as a chapter in the thesis. The thesis adviser and two readers are appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies after consultation with the student. The topic of the thesis must be approved in advance by the Director of Graduate Studies. The length should be appropriate to the subject, and students are encouraged to choose subjects that are clearly defined and can be dealt with--research and writing together--in six months or less. The adviser and readers will hold a preliminary conference with the student to discuss and approve, sometimes with modifications, the subject of the thesis. For students planning to complete the M.A. at the end of the fifth semester, this conference needs to be held before the end of the fourth semester of study. Because finding a thesis topic can be time-consuming, students are encouraged to consider possible M.A. thesis topics and a possible advisor during their third semester. This will allow you to get a good start on a prospectus after M.A. exams are completed at the beginning of the fourth semester. One can then proceed with the needed research during the fourth semester, and do the writing during the summer or the first half of fifth semester.
The "Calendar of Events" printed in the Record of the Graduate School and in the Undergraduate Bulletin gives the deadline by which final copies of theses in approved form must be submitted to the Graduate School. This is usually about November 20 for a December degree and about April 15 for a May degree. In addition, the student must complete and submit to her or his readers a first draft of the thesis one month before that date in order to allow ample time for the committee to read the thesis and for the student to revise in accordance with the committee's requests.
Failure to meet either of the deadlines referred to in the previous paragraph in time to receive the M.A. degree at the end of the fifth semester of work (in December or in May) will make the student ineligible for financial aid from the Department in any form until the semester after the student completes the thesis, the Master's degree is awarded by the Graduate School, and the student is readmitted to the Ph.D. program.
At least three days before the deadline for submission of the thesis to the Graduate School, the candidate must pass an oral examination of not more than one hour. This examination covers the area of the thesis, and the examining committee consists of the thesis adviser and the two readers of the thesis. All three examiners must sign the title page of the thesis before it is finally deposited with the Graduate School, and the committee may request changes in the text before the thesis is submitted; it is the responsibility of the student to make any requested changes and of the thesis director to see that all such changes are completed. The student must make available in the departmental office two copies of the thesis, in the form that he or she is willing to defend, at least seven days before the time of the oral examination.
Students must submit to the Graduate School the required Application for Graduation by the appropriate deadline early in the semester at the end of which they expect to receive the degree. Copies of this Application are available online, and deadlines for submission are Fall (December) - 2nd Friday in October, Spring (May) - 2nd Friday in February, Summer (August) - 2nd Friday in June, and they are printed in the Record of the Graduate School. All work for the degree must be completed within five calendar years of the student's entrance into the graduate program, except that approved leaves of absence do not count in the five years. Students needing to apply to the Graduate School for extensions must consult with the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students intending to proceed beyond the Master’s degree should submit a written request for permission to proceed at least one week before the thesis defense. This request should be given to the Director of Graduate Studies.
Upon completion of all requirements for the M.A. in Greek, Latin, or Classical Archaeology including a successful defense of the thesis, a decision must be made as to whether the student should continue to the Ph.D. As soon as possible after the thesis defense, the Director of Graduate Studies, having consulted with the student's thesis committee and other members of the faculty as necessary, will inform the student of the Department's decision on whether or not the student will be permitted to proceed to the Ph.D.
When a student has completed all requirements for the M.A. except two courses, the thesis, and the final oral, he or she may apply to the Director of Graduate Studies for permission to bypass the Master's degree and to be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. After evaluating the particular needs and potential of the student, the Department may still require the student to write a thesis or it may accept the student at once into the Ph.D. program.