Master of Liberal Arts

Thesis

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Thesis overview

The ALM culminates in a thesis within the field of concentration. 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 visual and dramatic arts. Portfolios of original creative work—such as photographs, paintings, or set designs—are not acceptable. Work completed or published elsewhere is likewise 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 time allowed for writing the thesis is 9 months. Should the student receive an INC or grade below B− on the thesis, the research advisor in consultation with the ALM research committee will determine whether the student must develop a new proposal on a different topic, or whether the student may register again for the thesis and maintain the original topic. Students will have only 1 other opportunity to complete the thesis with a grade of B− or better. Failure to complete the thesis on the second attempt will result in permanent retirement from the ALM program. Students who fall into poor academic standing as the result of a non-passing thesis grade will also be permanently retired from the program.

The thesis proposal

Students may not begin the thesis until they have become ALM candidates and have successfully completed at least 6 ALM courses. No student should begin a thesis proposal without first consulting with an ALM research advisor and gaining approval for the topic. Faculty guidance is not available for all possible thesis topics; therefore, revisions or even a change of topic may be necessary.

Typically, it takes a minimum of six months and several drafts to develop a thesis proposal. The turnaround time for each draft is approximately 4 to six weeks. If, after 3 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.

For graduation in May, the student should begin research at least 15 months before this date, 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 3 to 6 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 may be downloaded below from the list of thesis resources.

Research advisors

There are 4 research advisors in the ALM program, all with experience in guiding students on the thesis. They advise candidates on all aspects of the development of the thesis topic and on the preparation and presentation of the thesis proposal, which is a prerequisite to writing the thesis. Furthermore, they help to identify faculty whose research and teaching interests coincide with proposals on specific topics and who may be subsequently recruited to serve as thesis directors. Below are the advisors and the fields they advise.

Humanities, Dean Sue Weaver Schopf

Contact: (617) 495-9942, sue_schopf@harvard.edu

Biological sciences, Dr. James Morris

Contact: (617) 998-8549, james_morris@harvard.edu

Behavioral sciences, Dr. Dante Spetter

Contact: (617) 496-4967, spetter@hudce.harvard.edu

Social sciences, Dr. Donald Ostrowski

Contact: (617) 495-4547 or don@wjh.harvard.edu

Certain interdisciplinary fields may be guided by any of these advisors, depending upon the area of emphasis.

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 November 29; for the spring term, they must register by April 25. If students register after the April deadline, they will be registered in the summer term and may pay a higher tuition.

Proposal and thesis writers discussion groups

Most of the research advisors host monthly discussion groups for ALM candidates who are working on a thesis proposal or thesis. We recommend that the candidates attend at least 1 such meeting. Many 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, unless otherwise noted
7:30 to 8:45 pm

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

Social Sciences
Grossman Common Room, Second Floor
5:30 to 7:15 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.