I don't know whether to do a thesis, a project or a course-based master's
Work out which master's route fits your goals, your timeline and whether you might want a PhD later.
In short
Start here, today. Write one sentence about what you'd like to be doing two years after you finish. Then open your program's handbook and list each route it offers, with its length, its final requirement (thesis, paper, capstone or exam) and the deadline for choosing. This takes about 25 minutes.
After that, work through these steps. Choose one to jump to it.
Step by step
Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step for the how.
0 of 6 steps done
Start from where you want to end up
If you're aiming for a PhD or a research-heavy job, a thesis gives you the clearest evidence that you can do independent research. If you want to move up or across in a profession, a course-based or project route often gets you there faster and may teach more of what employers ask for. If you honestly don't know yet, ask which route keeps the most options open in your field.
Compare the real workload
Ask to see examples. Most universities keep past theses in their library repository, and many departments can show you strong major research papers or capstone reports. Look at the length, the depth of the methods and how much original data each one used. Ten minutes with real examples will tell you more than any description.
Ask how funding and supervision work for each route
Funding, research assistantships and supervision arrangements can differ between routes in the same department, so ask the graduate coordinator directly. Ask too whether a thesis needs a supervisor to agree to take you on, and by when. A thesis without a willing supervisor isn't really an option.
Check what PhD programs in your field expect
If a PhD is even a possibility, look at the admissions pages of two or three programs you might apply to. Some ask for a master's thesis or other evidence of research, and some accept a strong research paper or a publication. If you choose a course-based route, a research-based course paper or a research assistant job can still give you something to show.
Talk to two students who chose differently
Find one student who did a thesis and one who took the course or project route, ideally in your own program. Ask how long it really took, what surprised them and what they would choose now. Their answers will be more specific than anything on a website.
Find out whether you can switch
Many programs let students move between routes, usually with deadlines and conditions. Knowing the rules can take some pressure off, because the choice may be less final than it feels. Record what you decide and why in the Decision Log, so you can revisit it calmly if things change.
Words you can use
Is this you? Signs to look for
- Your program lets you choose a route, and the deadline to decide is coming up.
- You've heard that a thesis is what serious students do, but you're not sure you want one.
- You might want a PhD one day, or you might not, and you don't want to close the door.
- You can't tell how much work a major research paper is compared with a thesis.
Why this happens
Most master's programs offer some mix of three routes. A thesis is an independent, original research project, written up at length, supervised by a faculty member and usually examined or defended. A project or major research paper (often called an MRP) is a smaller piece of research or applied work, sometimes done for an outside organization. A course-based route is mostly or entirely courses, sometimes with a capstone at the end. The labels vary between universities, so read your own program's definitions rather than relying on what a friend's program meant by them.
The choice is really about what you want the degree to do for you. The University of Calgary's guide to graduate studies says thesis study suits people who want to build knowledge in a specialized area of research, while a course-based route may suit you better if you mainly want to advance your professional skills. Time matters too. Both Calgary and the University of Victoria describe course-based master's degrees as usually taking one to two years of full-time study, and thesis master's degrees as typically taking about two.
The PhD question is the one people worry about most. The University of Regina describes the thesis route as generally critical for students who intend to go on to doctoral study, and Victoria notes that a course-based master's may not meet the requirements for a PhD program. That doesn't mean a course-based degree closes the door for good, but it does mean you should check before you choose, not after.
Worth a look (6)
- Understanding graduate studies, University of Calgary Faculty of Graduate StudiesA plain comparison of thesis-based and course-based master's programs, including typical length and who each suits.
- What are graduate studies?, University of VictoriaExplains course-based and thesis or project-based master's routes, and flags that a course-based degree may not meet PhD requirements.
- Master's program routes, University of ReginaDescribes thesis, project, course-based, practicum and co-op routes, and why the thesis matters for doctoral study.
- Shut Up & Write!Free writing sessions, online and in person in over 80 countries, where you write quietly alongside others for a set time. It's a gentle push when you keep putting off your thesis.
- FocusmateBook a short video session with another person, say what you'll work on, then work quietly side by side. The free plan gives you three sessions a week.
- Time managementVitae's guide to managing research time, with simple techniques like logging your hours, separating urgent from important, and working back from deadlines.
When to bring someone in
Your graduate coordinator or program advisor is the right first person, because the rules differ from program to program. If a PhD is on your mind, talk to a faculty member in your area about what PhD programs in your field look for. If your decision is mainly about jobs, a career centre appointment can help you see which route employers in your field value.
Find the right person, or talk to Ify