The thesis is a transformational experience in which you employ all that you have learned in your coursework to make an original contribution in your field of concentration.

You will work with your Research Advisor to fine-tune a thesis proposal, after which you will work with a faculty or industry expert who will act as your Thesis Director on the proposed project.

You will emerge from the thesis process with a solid understanding of how research is executed and how to effectively communicate research results. Read more about What is a thesis?

You need to complete a thesis if:

You are a degree candidate in any of the following fields

• Anthropology & Archaeology
• Bioengineering & Nanotechnology
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Clinical Psychology
• Dramatic Arts
• English
• Foreign Literature, Language & Culture
• Government
• History
• International Relations
• Legal Studies
• Literature & Creative Writing
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Read more about Who writes a thesis?

Some programs have the option to pursue either the Thesis or Capstone track.

A Thesis is the more appropriate choice if:

• You want to earn a PhD or other advanced degree later on
• You want the experience of writing for a publication
• You want to work individually with a Research Advisor and Thesis Director
• You are more self-directed, are good at managing projects with little supervision, and have a clear direction for your work
• You have a project that requires more time (9-12 months Read more about How do I choose between a thesis and a capstone?

You can start the process when you have:

• Completed a minimum of six degree courses (24 credits) with grades of B- or higher
• Some disciplines require that you complete specific courses - be sure to review yours
• Contacted your Academic Advisor to determine your eligibility and to review the overall process
• Met with your Research Advisor to begin to discuss potential topics

Additional Discipline-specific Information

Sustainability program

After you have completed at least six Read more about When can I start?

There are many variables to thesis completion, including the time and effort that you put toward thesis proposal creation as well as thesis director availability. You should be prepared for the entire thesis process, from registering for Crafting the Proposal to submission of the final draft of your thesis, to take 15-18 months. Six to nine months for proposal writing and thesis director assignment, then nine months to write the thesis. 

You will be assigned a Research Advisor who will assist you in the following ways:

• Provide advice on all aspects of the development of your thesis topic
• Guide you in the preparation and presentation of your thesis proposal during the Crafting the Proposal tutorial or course, which is a prerequisite to writing the thesis

Your Academic Advisor can also continue to support you throughout the process!

Your Research Advisor will identify faculty (or other professionals for certain disciplines) to work with you.

We work to identify people whose research and/or teaching interests coincide with proposals on specific topics and who may be subsequently recruited to serve as your Thesis Director.

You are not permitted to approach faculty about directing your thesis without an approved research proposal and permission from your Research Advisor.

• Once your Thesis Director assumes this role, s/he then becomes Read more about Who picks my Thesis Director?

Once you successfully complete Crafting the Proposal tutorial or course, you will be automatically registered for Master’s Thesis Part One the following term.

During Master's Thesis Part One, you’ll continue to refine your thesis proposal and your research advisor will locate a suitable thesis director.  When a director is found and your thesis proposal is fully vetted, then you'll receive a letter of authorization from the Dean of Academic Programs approving your thesis work and providing you with instructions on how to register for Master's Thesis Part Two.   

You Read more about When and how do I register for the thesis course?

Typically candidates will have met with their Research Advisor several times before settling on a thesis topic and signing up for the Crafting the Proposal course or tutorial.

• By the end of the Crafting the Proposal course or tutorial you should have a completed draft of your thesis proposal which you will give to your Research Advisor as a final requirement for the Crafting the Proposal course or tutorial.  

• If your Crafting the Proposal course or tutorial is taught be someone other than your Research Advisor, then normally the instructor will Read more about How do I submit my proposal for approval?

1. Once completed, email your final draft to your Research Advisor and Thesis Director by the specified date provided in your thesis letter.
2. After review and approval by your program office, upload a PDF of the final document to Harvard University's electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) submission system (also known as ETDs @ Harvard). Once you have logged into the system, choose Harvard Extension School from the select your school Read more about How do I submit my thesis for approval?

Yes, your Thesis Director is in charge of submitting a grade for your thesis work. You must obtain a B- or higher for your thesis to count toward your degree.

• A and A−

represent work of superior quality indicating a full mastery of the research subject and, in the case of A, work of extraordinary distinction

• B+, B, and B−

represent work of good to very good quality; however, it does not merit special distinction

• C+, C, and C−

designate an average command of the research Read more about Is the thesis graded?

A Dean’s Prize for Outstanding ALM Thesis

• is awarded for each discipline

• recognizes work that embodies the highest level of scholarship

• are presented at the individual degree awarding ceremonies each May

Thesis directors may place nominations; program directors and research advisors choose the final prize winners.

You will be assigned an intended graduation date based on the month that you register for your thesis.

Please review these schedules to help you reach your intended graduation date:

A number of students end up publishing part or all of their thesis in scholarly journals.  Others present talks based on their research at conferences.

You may also be invited to present your research at the annual thesis symposium held each year in late May.

Your thesis will be preserved and shared using Harvard’s digital repository DASH (Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard), metadata about your thesis will be sent to HOLLIS (the Harvard Library catalog), and your thesis will be preserved in Harvard Library’s Read more about What can I do with my thesis once it's complete?