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Thesis Option

Students who wish to pursue a career in research or continue their education at the doctoral level may require strong research and statistics, and writing skills to pursue this career path.  Students requesting admission to the program with the thesis option must:

1. Be admitted fully into the Master of Public Health with an overall GPA of 3.25.
2. Notify their major advisor of their interest in the thesis option after completing 9 credits of the MPH program, including one of the following courses: CH 509 or CH 560.
3. Discuss a potential research project with a public health focus with their major advisor.
4. By the end of the second semester or prior to the completion of 18 credits in the program, prepare a typed proposal that includes the following:
   1. Why s/he wants to pursue the thesis option.
   2. The potential topic area related to the MPH degree that s/he would like to investigate.
   3. The MPH faculty member s/he is requesting to have as a thesis advisor (may or may not be the academic advisor) and an additional faculty committee member with graduate faculty status from the UNC Graduate School from the MPH program or another university unit.
   4. A thesis proposal, including a brief review of the literature, the research question(s) or hypothesis, research design and significance of the study.
   5. A tentative timeline for completing the thesis for each of the thesis chapters, including the development of the proposal (Chapter 1, 2, 3), committee approval of the proposal, IRB Human Subject Approval, agency cooperation agreement, collection of data, analysis of data (Chapter 4), conclusions and recommendations (Chapter 5), manuscript for publication (Chapter 6) and a thesis presentation to the committee.
   6. In addition to the typed request, the graduate student should provide examples of their written work or other scholarly writing for the faculty to review.
   7. A copy of the proposal should be given to the MPH Coordinator for graduate faculty review.
5. The graduate faculty will review the request and make a decision regarding admission to the thesis option within a month of the request during the regular fall and spring academic calendars (excluding holidays).
6. The MPH Graduate Coordinator will notify the student whether their thesis proposal has been accepted with possible suggestions or recommendations to strengthen the thesis research design or chapters.
7. A limited number of students will be accepted to the thesis option each year.  Students accepted into the thesis option are encouraged to take SRM 600 to develop Chapters 1-3 and 6 semester credits of CH 699 (thesis).  CH 699 may be taken in lieu of elective credits.  Students who choose the thesis option are expected to submit an article/s for publication. 

Guidelines For Completing A Thesis In Community Health

1. Thoroughly purchase and review the latest edition of UNC’s Thesis and Dissertation Guide (on the UNC Grad School website and the APA Manual (both are available at the bookstore).
2. Review copies of recent UNC theses completed in health-related disciplines (e.g., Community Health, Psychology, Nursing) to obtain an idea of what will be required of you.  Copies of theses completed at UNC are on file at Michener Library and in our program office area .
3. Request an appropriate thesis advisor from the full-time faculty in the MPH Program with Graduate Faculty Status.  Make an appointment with your thesis advisor to discuss your research idea and to develop an appropriate and timely plan of action that you both are comfortable with.  Remember:
   1. Writing a thesis is a process – it will take more time and energy than you think!  Give yourself a minimum of two semesters to complete your thesis.
   2. Your thesis advisor has agreed to mentor you through this process, but remember that, as a faculty member, they have numerous responsibilities.  Be sure to allow them sufficient time to read drafts of your work, etc.  When submitting drafts of your work, they should be typed and thoroughly proofread.
4. You are required to submit your thesis proposal, timeline and samples of scholarly writing to the MPH Graduate Coordinator for graduate faculty review.
5. Once your thesis has been approved, discuss with your advisor who else you would like to have serve on your committee.  Thesis committees consist of your advisor and at least one additional faculty member, who has expertise in the topic or research and Graduate Faculty status.  An additional committee member may be selected from the University or professional community.  After this discussion, contact potential committee members to confirm their willingness and availability to work with you.
6. Recognize that there are typically expenses involved in conducting a research project (e.g., photocopying, postage and telephone charges).  You are responsible for all costs associated with your project and need to plan accordingly.
7. Work with your thesis advisor in developing your thesis chapters.  Once your advisor is satisfied that your proposal is sound, you will be required to formally present your proposal to your full committee.  It is your responsibility to schedule a time and place (e.g. the office or college conference room) for your proposal meeting.  Committee members should be given a minimum of two weeks to review your proposal (and subsequent chapters) prior to your meeting date.
8. Prior to collecting data, .  Directions and application forms for submitting your research for IRB review are available at the Graduate School.  The website is located on the UNC website and is: http://www.unco.edu/sparc/compliance/irb/hsguide.htm. The IRB Review typically takes two to four weeks, so plan accordingly.
   • Work closely with your thesis advisor as you are collecting your data and writing the final thesis chapters.  Once your thesis is complete and is approved by your advisor, it is time to schedule your thesis defense.  Again, it is your responsibility to schedule a time and place (usually Gunter 2260 or Deans Conference Room 2708) for your final thesis presentation.  Committee members should be given a minimum of two weeks to review your entire thesis, including Chapters 1-6, appendices and references.
9. At your defense presentation, you will be required to give a 15-20 minute formal power point presentation of your completed research project with handout copies.  Your committee members will then ask you questions about your findings.  Committee members and other faculty are present at your thesis presentation.  Other students in the Community Health Program or college may be invited to attend.
10. Obtain the signatures of your committee members to indicate successful completion of the thesis.  One original and three copies plus an additional copy of the abstract (150 words) must be submitted to the Graduate School along with a non-plagiarism affirmation form.  These items must be submitted to the Graduate School (see current Graduate School calendar for specific deadline dates).
11. Upon filing a thesis, the Graduate School will require you to complete specific forms related to the thesis and graduation and pay the current fees for binding, mailing and publishing your thesis.
12. All four copies of the thesis will be bound.  After binding, the original and one copy will be filed in the University Library.  One copy will be forwarded to your thesis advisor, and one copy will be sent to you.  An additional copy will be needed for the program.  Students are advised to provide a copy for each faculty committee member.

Students are strongly encouraged to present their thesis research at a state, regional or national conference, and to submit an article based on their thesis findings to a professional journal.  It is customary that the thesis advisor be listed as a co-author & other members of the committee on any publication resulting from your thesis.