Master's thesis
Handbook and guidelines
- Thesis Programs Guide (has replaced thesis handbook): Describes the individuals involved in the master’s thesis process, as well as the required steps and forms.
- Guidelines for Chairs of Graduate Examining Committees: A set of guidelines for the Chair of an Examining Committee to follow before, during and after a thesis defence.
- Master’s Transfer to Doctoral program (Doctoral Candidacy Handbook)
Note: For an alternative format of any form or document on this thesis webpage, contact gradthesis@ontariotechu.ca.
Templates and formatting
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) requires discipline-specific standards with respect to thesis format (including electronic format), organization, manuscript (co)authorship and any other requirements.
For more information on these specific requirements and to ensure standards are met, refer to the Thesis Checklist and Formatting Guidelines (PDF).
A thesis template (.docx format) has also been created for your ease of use and/or reference.
Students are responsible for informing themselves of any special formats or standards required by their program or discipline.
If you need assistance, there are many resources available to assist you with your writing.
Note: For an alternative format of any form or document on this thesis webpage, contact gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.
Timelines and deadlines
There are master’s thesis deadlines each term in order to guide students through each step of the master’s examination process. The objective is to help students meet requirements for specific program end dates or for graduation ceremonies.
If you are a master’s student or research supervisor looking to plan a final examination within the next year, please use the following material for guidance. First, review the Thesis Programs Guide, which describes each step in the examination process, and then prepare a plan of action using the resources below.
- Timeline: chart of required steps and timelines leading up to oral defence.
- Deadlines: list of master’s deadlines in order to complete all program requirements by the end of an academic term.
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Master’s Thesis Deadline Calculator: Use this calculator to determine when specific tasks should be completed in order to defend your thesis by a particular examination date.
Note: For an alternative format of any form or document on this thesis webpage, contact gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.
Faculty forms
Most thesis forms (those not listed below) must be initiated by the graduate program office. Please contact the graduate program office in your faculty for assistance with the forms.
- Research Progress Reports are sent out to students each term. The student will first complete their section of the report, after which the supervisor(s) will receive the report for completion. The student will then have the opportunity to review and sign. Research progress is evaluated at the end of each semester for every student in a program with a thesis, project or major paper, starting when the student is engaged with research. For questions related to this process, please contact gradthesis@ontariotechu.ca.
- Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA)*: Agreement may be used in order to protect certain confidential information related to the student’s research.
- Thesis Defence Examiner Report: Thesis Examiner must submit this online form to SGPS for approval at least 10 Calendar Days prior to the examination date.
- Chair's Report on Thesis Examination: The Chair of the Examination Committee will prepare an online report recording the overall decision of the defence and it is to be submitted to SGPS no later than one week after the examination date.
- Request for Approval to Withhold a Thesis from Publication*: The supervisor(s) and student must complete this form and obtain necessary signatures if they would like to request a delay in publication of the thesis (embargo) on the library website.
*Form also found under student forms; can be initiated by faculty member or student.
Note: For an alternative format of any form or document on this thesis webpage, contact gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.
Student forms
Most thesis forms (those not listed below) must be initiated by the graduate program office. Please contact the graduate program office in your faculty for assistance with the forms.
- Research Progress Reports are sent out to students each term. The student will first complete their section of the report, after which the supervisor(s) will receive the report for completion. The student will then have the opportunity to review and sign. Research progress is evaluated at the end of each semester for every student in a program with a thesis, project or major paper, starting when the student is engaged with research. For questions related to this process, please contact gradthesis@ontariotechu.ca.
- Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA)*: Agreement may be used in order to protect certain confidential information related to the student’s research.
Final thesis package forms
The following forms are submitted with the final thesis package. Instructions for submitting these forms are sent to students following successful oral thesis examination.
Required forms
In addition to the thesis and the certificate of approval (which can be obtained from the student’s graduate program office or research supervisor), the following forms are required to be submitted with every thesis package:
- Checklist for Final Thesis Package: Completed checklist submitted with final thesis package to School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). SGPS checks the contents of packages against a checklist for any missing components or obvious formatting errors.
- Submission of Master's or PhD Thesis: Students must complete this form and submit to SGPS with the final, post-defence thesis package.
- Theses Non-Exclusive License: Students must complete this form. It is a license to allow the thesis to be reproduced by the National Library of Canada.
Optional forms
The following forms may be submitted, depending on students’ preferences and/or the circumstances surrounding the thesis:
- ProQuest Publishing Agreement: Library and Archives Canada submit an electronic thesis for processing to ProQuest, to become available online on AMICUS. ProQuest requires a separate license form. It is a free publishing service and has potential royalties.
- Request for Approval to Withhold a Thesis from Publication*: The supervisor(s) and the student must complete this form and obtain necessary signatures if they would like to request a delay in the publication of the thesis (embargo) on the library website.
- Thesis Binding: Students/Faculty who would like a thesis bound can submit their thesis to an outside company. Details are available on the Library website.
*Form also found under faculty forms; can be initiated by student or faculty member.
Note: For an alternative format of any form or document on this thesis webpage, contact gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.