WNMU MAIS Exit Requirements

Looking back on it, I wish I had done the thesis option. At the time I was only interested in getting the credit so that I could teach certain courses. (I guess it paid off, since I got a full-time job at the community college...) A colleague of mine from the program ended up doing a thesis, and though she said it was a lot of work, I wish I had done it to better prepare me for PhD work. It could've also served as a writing sample.

In regards to the instructors, there are definitely those who are more geared towards a thesis. Someone mentioned Hernandez and Warren. Both are great instructors, and they have their own styles. Hernandez had students write quite a bit. Warren, on the other hand, insisted that students did not have the skills to write long papers, so he insisted on very short essays so that students could refine their skills in writing a thesis statement, etc. (Things, in my opinion, a grad student should already know how to do...) Given their own experiences, it would make sense that Warren wouldn't push a thesis. Still wish I had done one, though...

-Matt

 

In fairness, I think there is also an issue of expertise. Doing a thesis well is not just an issue for the student but for the thesis adviser. If the student wants to do a thesis in an area that the professor knows nothing about, how can they either advise or grade it properly. It's not just another term paper.


I think this also speaks to the larger issue of a phd program too. One should be looking at the research interests of the professors. It unrealistic to expect a professor to develop the kind of expertise needed to be on a dissertation committee just because it so happens to be your little pet project.

I've seen too many times where the students says "I wanna do X" and the professors says "I wanna do Y". Guess who's gonna win that battle. And then the student walks away angry or embittered.

Though I am not a professor, I personally would be leery of being an adviser on a thesis unless (a) I knew the student well and (b) I knew the specific subject matter well. So I totally understand why some professors are hesitant to recommend the thesis option.