The M.S. in Nursing student selects, in consultation with and approval of the advisor, a program of study within an approved M.S. in Nursing specialty track. The student should make an early decision regarding the thesis or non-thesis option. Both options follow the guidelines of the Graduate School. The thesis option requires conducting a research study. The non-thesis option requires taking a comprehensive examination in the semester the student expects to graduate. For either option, students must also complete a minimum of 30 graduate level semester credit hours to be eligible for graduation.
Thesis option
The student following the thesis option must complete the required number of hours in the program of study in a specialty track and write a thesis based on a completed research study. The student’s advisor usually chairs the thesis committee and provides primary oversight of the student’s thesis research. The format of the thesis must conform to requirements described in the Graduate School Guidelines for Preparing Theses, Dissertations, and D.M.A. Documents (Part III of the Graduate School Handbook), and students should consult the publication “Human Subject Program Guidelines” published by the university. A copy of the final thesis must be submitted electronically as a PDF document to OhioLink, the Ohio Library and Information Network, the Graduate School, the student’s advisor, and the Student Affairs Office in the College of Nursing. For further technical information concerning the thesis, students should contact Graduation Services in the Graduate School at 292-6031.
The student should gain approval from the advisor at all stages of the thesis. The thesis is designed, implemented, and written by the student with the guidance of the thesis advisor; it is approved by the advisor and the M.S. in Nursing Thesis Examination Committee. After the thesis is written, the student must submit copies of the complete, typed draft of the thesis and abstract to each member of his or her Thesis Examination Committee. The draft of the thesis must be approved by the committee members before the student may schedule the oral defense of the thesis.
The oral defense is scheduled after all Thesis Examination Committee members have read the thesis. The advisor is responsible for coordinating the oral defense according to the following guidelines:
- Only the Thesis Examination Committee members and the student attend the defense.
- The defense must be scheduled to meet the examination deadline set by the Graduate School.
- The defense is not to exceed two hours in length.
- The final decision is made in the absence of the student but is announced to the student prior to the end of the defense meeting.
If one or more Thesis Examination Committee faculty evaluate the defense as Unsatisfactory, the student fails the defense and is required to revise the thesis and to schedule a repeat defense meeting in compliance with the guidelines of the Graduate School and requirements of the Thesis Examination Committee. A second failure of the defense will result in dismissal from the M.S. in Nursing program. Additional information regarding Review and Appeal processes is located in the Graduate School Handbook.
- The advisor informs the student and the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Committee of the Thesis Examination Committee decision. Each committee member submits a grade for the student’s examination via gradforms.osu.edu.
Non-thesis option
The non-thesis option for a M.S. in Nursing student consists of a comprehensive examination that must include a written portion and may include an oral portion. The purpose of the comprehensive Master’s in Nursing examination is to test the ability of students to synthesize knowledge acquired throughout the course of nursing graduate study. The written portion may be in the form of examination or a substantial paper or project appropriate to the discipline and consistent with best practices in the field. The oral portion, if scheduled, must take place during announced university business hours, Monday through Friday.
The following guidelines apply for the non-thesis (comprehensive examination) option:
- Students consult with their advisors to determine their readiness for the examination, areas to be included, and preparation.
- Students must take the exam the semester or summer session in which they graduate. The exam is usually scheduled for around mid-semester. Students completing two specialties must take the comprehensive exam when they have completed both specialties.
- Examinations are scheduled by the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Chairperson who notifies students of the timing and other logistical arrangements for the examination.
- Areas of the examination address the content of required coursework based on questions developed by specialty track faculty.
- Where applicable and as included in examination instructions, students are expected to cite appropriate authors of major works in nursing and in students’ areas of specialization.
- All students must complete their examination by computer.
- The student’s advisor serves as the first reader of the Comprehensive Examination Committee. A second reader is recommended by the Specialty Track Director and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee Chairperson. The examination readers independently evaluate the examination. An oral component for the examination may be scheduled by the Comprehensive Examination Committee for the student to clarify written examination responses.
- If one or more Thesis Examination Committee faculty evaluate the defense as Unsatisfactory, the student fails the defense and is required to revise the thesis and to schedule a repeat defense meeting in compliance with the guidelines of the Graduate School and requirements of the Thesis Examination Committee. A second failure of the defense will result in dismissal from the M.S. in Nursing program. Additional information regarding Review and Appeals processes is located in the Graduate School Handbook.
- The advisor informs the student and the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Committee Chairperson of the decision of the Comprehensive Examination Committee decision. Each committee member submits a grade for the student’s examination via gradforms.osu.edu.
https://gradsch.osu.edu/completing-your-degree/dissertations-theses