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Master of Liberal Arts

This page contains content from the 2007–08 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Thesis

On this page:

Thesis Overview

The ALM culminates in a thesis. In the thesis, the student demonstrates familiarity with the contents and methods of a given discipline, engaging in the collection and interpretation of original data and a scholarly critique of others’ work. The ALM thesis is a research-based requirement for all fields of concentration (except literature and creative writing), including dramatic arts. Portfolios of original creative work—such as photographs, paintings, or set designs—are not acceptable.

The thesis must be undertaken with a faculty member holding a teaching appointment in the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the rank of senior lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, or full professor, or an appropriate teaching appointment in another Harvard school, such as the Law School, Graduate School of Education, or Medical School.

The Thesis Proposal

Students may not begin the thesis until they have become ALM candidates and have successfully completed at least six ALM courses. No student should begin a thesis proposal without first consulting with an ALM research advisor. Faculty guidance is not available for all possible thesis topics; therefore, revisions or even a change of topic may be necessary.

Typically, it takes six months and several drafts to develop a thesis proposal. The turnaround time for each draft is approximately four weeks. If, after three attempts, a student has made no substantial progress in developing an acceptable proposal, the student’s work and relevant records are submitted to the ALM Research Committee to consider whether continuation in the program is appropriate.

Drafting the Thesis

The time allowed for writing the thesis is nine months. For graduation in June, the student should begin research early in the previous spring, submit the final draft of the proposal no later than September 1, and obtain approval of the proposal and the Dean’s approval for working with a thesis director no later than October 1. Candidates in biology are advised to begin this process three to six months earlier.

Copies of A Guide to the ALM Thesis, which all candidates should consult before beginning this process, are available in the ALM Office and maybe be downloaded below from the list of thesis resources.

Registering for the Thesis

Students may not register for the thesis until they have a proposal approved by their research advisor, a thesis director who has signed the approved-proposal form, and a letter from the Dean stating that the candidate may now register for the thesis. Students must register by the date shown in the Dean’s letter. Registration for the thesis occurs throughout the year.

Students wishing to register for the thesis in the fall term must do so by December 9; for the spring term, they must register by April 20. Thereafter, they will be registered in the summer term and may pay a higher tuition.

Proposal and Thesis Writers Discussion Groups

ALM candidates who are beginning or working on a thesis or thesis proposal should plan to attend at least one meeting. Many candidates find it useful to attend these discussions monthly. All meetings will be held at 51 Brattle Street.

Behavioral Sciences
Dean’s Large Conference Room, Seventh Floor
7:30 to 8:45 pm

Biological Sciences
Dean’s Large Conference Room, Seventh Floor
5:30 to 7 pm

Humanities
Grossman Common Room, Second Floor
5:30 to 7 pm

Social Sciences
Grossman Common Room, Second Floor
5:30 to 7 pm

Downloadable* Thesis Resources

A Guide to the ALM Thesis (sixth edition)

Additional ALM Thesis Materials

Biological Sciences (Area A)

Social Sciences (Area B)

Humanities (Area C)

Degree candidates have access to the extensive thesis archives at Grossman Library. Students may also search an online database of theses and proposals and view the material at the library. For more information, call the library at (617) 495-4163.

* Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader is required to view or print PDF forms.