Capstone Process
If you are preparing either a thesis or a dissertation, you will need to meet not only your program's specific requirements for these items, but also all of the Graduate School's requirements. If you are doing any other kind of capstone project, such as a final paper, internship, practicum or integration project, you need only meet your program's requirements.
Theses
Ordinarily, theses are completed after all coursework for the master's degree is completed. Students who are working on a thesis should be registered while they undertake this work.
In some cases, the thesis will count as hours toward the M.A. or M.S. degree (usually three, and sometimes six). Students should register for these hours at some point during thesis preparation, and also for thesis supervision (usually course #595) during any additional terms they may need to complete the work.
In some cases, the thesis does not count as hours toward the degree. Students should then be registered for thesis supervision in each term (excluding summers) during which they are working on the project.
Students have five years to complete all requirements for a master's degree, including the thesis. Students with exceptional circumstances who need to temporarily discontinue their studies for personal, medical or professional reasons, may apply for an extension. .
Dissertations
The dissertation is a long-term, independent research project undertaken as the final degree requirement for a Ph.D., typically lasting several years.
Students who are working on a dissertation should be registered with the university.
The dissertation and the related registration categories for doctoral study and/or dissertation supervision do not count as hours toward the degree. While preparing a dissertation, students should be registered for dissertation supervision in each term (excluding summers) during which they are working on the project. The course offered as doctoral study is intended for those students who are not in coursework, but are also not yet working on a dissertation. Usually, these students are preparing a proposal or doctoral comprehensive examinations. Students may only register twice for doctoral study; after this, they will need to enroll in dissertation supervision.
Students who do all coursework at Loyola have eight years to complete all the requirements for a Ph.D., including the dissertation. Students who transfer part of their coursework hours from another graduate program have six years to complete all the requirements for a Ph.D., including the dissertation.
Doctoral Candidacy
Once doctoral students have submitted all dissertation proposal materials (including IRB approval, where required), the Graduate School will conduct a doctoral candidacy review. This means that the Dean's office will check that all of your degree requirements, other than the dissertation itself, have been met.
Formal candidacy, while not the same as a degree credential, does indicate that a student has advanced in his or her program to the point that s/he is doing independent research.
Doctoral students will receive a formal letter from the Graduate School when they are admitted to candidacy. As soon as it becomes possible, this information will also be noted on the student's official transcript.