This site is an archive. See the current website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Journalism and Publishing

This page contains content from the 2008–09 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Thesis and Capstone

Depending on which track you pursue, you complete either a master’s thesis or a capstone. The requirements for each are described on this page.

Master’s Thesis

For the thesis, you write an in-depth feature or investigative report (of approximately 40 pages or 10,000 words) on a significant current topic in politics, health, science, technology, business, or the arts. Along with this report, you also write an essay about your research and reporting experience, as well as the significance of the thesis to the field. The thesis is supervised by a Harvard faculty member or a member of the local journalism community.

Getting Started on Your Thesis

The thesis process begins after you have completed six courses and an internship. It takes nine to 12 months to complete. 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, you have made no substantial progress in developing an acceptable proposal, your work and relevant records are submitted to the research committee to consider whether continuation in the program is appropriate.

  1. Consult the research advisor about your proposed master’s thesis.
  2. Submit formal proposals.
  3. Secure approval.
  4. Register after receiving a letter of authorization from the program director (the cost is $1,875).

When to register. International students with I-20 certificates from the Extension School should meet with the research advisor before completing the sixth course and internship, and must register for the thesis during the regular registration periods. All other students may register throughout the year.

To receive credit for the thesis in the fall term, register by December 7; to receive credit in the spring term, register by April 26. If you register after the April deadline, you will be registered in the summer term and may pay a higher tuition.

Capstone Project

The capstone project entails a portfolio of several related articles to be completed over the course of one semester. The portfolio should be approximately 20 pages (or 5,000 words) of new work, and it will be supervised by a journalism instructor and reviewed by an additional faculty member.

Getting Started on Your Capstone Project

Once you have completed at least eight courses and the internship, you may register for the capstone project.

  1. Submit a one-paragraph description of your capstone project to the program office.
  2. Consult with your assigned capstone supervisor and program office to secure approval.
  3. Register for the capstone after receiving a letter of authorization from the program director (the cost is $1,725).

When to register. Registration occurs during the term’s regular registration period. The capstone should be completed within one semester.