Complete your Master’s program
To graduate with a master’s degree in many of the graduate programs at SEMO, students must first complete a thesis paper that portrays their research and comprehension skills from their graduate program.
Thesis papers are intended to be the culmination of years of study and research in a graduate program.
| Semester of Planned Graduation | SUMMER 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Before Graduation | |||||||
| Submission of Thesis Topic Approval Sheet | Mar 13, 2023 | June 12, 2023 | November 6, 2023 | March 11, 2024 | June 10, 2024 | November 4, 2024 | March 10, 2025 |
| Graduating Semester | |||||||
| Last Day to add GR698, GR699, GR799 | Jun 16, 2023 | October 16, 2023 | March 18, 2024 | June 14, 2024 | October 14, 2024 | March 17, 2025 | June 13, 2025 |
| Last Day to hold Oral Thesis Defense | Jun 19, 2023 | October 30, 2023 | April1, 2024 | June 17, 2024 | October 28, 2024 | April 7, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| Complete and Approved Electronic Thesis due to Graduate Studies | Jun 30, 2023 | November 6, 2023 | April 12, 2024 | June 28, 2024 | November 4, 2024 | April 11, 2025 | June 27, 2025 |
| The thesis reader returns the comment to the thesis chairperson for consideration | Jul 21, 2023 | November 20, 2023 | April 22, 2024 | July 19, 2024 | November 18, 2024 | April 21, 2025 | July 18, 2025 |
| Thesis Revisions Due to Office of Graduate Studies. Once Acceptance Sheet is signed by Dean of Graduate Studies, permission will be given to student to upload thesis to ProQuest | Jul 28, 2023 | December 3, 2023 | April 29, 2024 | July 26, 2024 | December 2, 2024 | April 28, 2025 | July 25, 2025 |
Thesis
Thesis papers provide an opportunity for graduate students to display their overall growth in knowledge and academic skills obtained in their respective graduate program. Expected completion for a thesis paper is at least two semesters and candidates will receive feedback and guidance from three graduate faculty members.
Capstone Projects
Some degree programs require a capstone research project prior to graduation. These projects range from portfolios to papers to exams. Check with your program’s graduate coordinator about capstone projects.
Class of 2020, Biomedical Science and Chemistry
"Conducting research gave me a sense of which medical programs I am interested in applying to as well as specialties I am considering after my training. I’ve worked in a wide range of labs on campus, which has prepared me for the research I want to do in medical school."
Andrew Behrmann
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701