During their
second year in the program, students complete an empirical research project
under the guidance of a three-person thesis committee. A member or associate
member of the School of Management and Labor Relations graduate faculty may serve as the committee chair and direct
the research project. A satisfactory oral defense of the thesis is required.
Usually, the oral defense is scheduled as a presentation in the Proseminar. The
defense is open to the public and must be announced at least two weeks in
advance. Upon completion of the thesis and oral defense, and 30 credits of
coursework (of which 6 may be research credits for completing the thesis),
students are awarded the master of science degree and become eligible to take
the qualifying exam.