Comparative Research Paper/Non-thesis Option

The comparative research paper option is particularly suitable for a career in the public or private sector. Students selecting the Comparative Research Paper/Nonthesis option must complete a comparative research project of more limited scope and scale than a thesis, followed by an oral exam.  The research topic must consist of an interdisciplinary analysis of a broad issue that goes beyond the student’s coursework and involves more than one country for purposes of comparison. The culmination of the comparative research paper M.A. is an oral examination during the last semester of the program. The student will form a committee of three faculty members for the oral examination. 

They are strongly recommended to take GIST 898 but may instead take the less structured 3 credits of LAA 899 with their Nonthesis Advisor/Chair. For guidelines and policy regarding the research project option, please consult the GIST graduate student handbook. 

KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Continuous Enrollment Policy 

Once a student’s course work is completed, the student must enroll in at least 1 credit hour of thesis/nonthesis (LAA 899) per semester (excluding summers) until the thesis and its defense or the oral examination is completed. For more information, please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook. 

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