Thesis I
Course Description
Summary
The thesis is a 12-credit product that students may elect to use as their final project requirement. This may be completed in the student’s fifth semester, though it is recommended that students begin this process in their fourth semester and split their work between their fourth and fifth semesters. Students will develop a proposal to submit to the faculty IRB in semester residency for which they want to begin their thesis work. The proposal must be approved by the IRB before work may begin. Thesis I and Thesis II course descriptions will be reflective of the student’s proposed research, process, and work of the semester.
- This course reflects the first half of the thesis process to be completed during the student’s fourth semester. The student will develop a course description reflective of their research question, process, and the work to be completed over the course of this semester.
*Students in CMHC-EXAT must infuse expressive arts therapies into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Topics in Expressive Arts Therapy."
*Students in CMHC-NT must infuse narrative therapy into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Narrative Therapy Techniques" OR "Narrative Therapy Techniques with Specific Populations."
*Students in CMHC-SOGE must infuse their coursework with Sexual Orientation/Gender Expression specific topics. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced LBGTQIA+ Counseling Techniques" or " Applied Issues in LGBTQIA+ Counseling."
*Students in CMHC-CMC must infuse their coursework with Community Mental Health specific topics.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate a clear and researchable question grounded in scholarly literature, and develop a detailed thesis proposal that meets academic and ethical standards for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
- Demonstrate proficiency in research design, methodology selection, and critical analysis by articulating a structured plan for data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
- Collaborate with faculty advisors to create a personalized course description and work plan that outlines the research objectives, timeline, and scholarly expectations for the first half of the thesis process.