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What is the difference between doing a Master of Science degree with and without a thesis in the US?
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18 Answers
Guys I got this information in one post outside quora, hope this helps.
Thesis Masters Program: -
Thesis students will conduct a large research project, which will likely involve several semesters of work. These students must write a thesis, which is a large document that is likely to be published. You will work with a professor to complete your research. The thesis option is for students who wish to get a background in intense research, such as students who are going to pursue a PhD. or students who will be conducting research.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Thesis option.
Non-thesis option is designed to be more flexible and is tailored for students who don’t necessarily need a great deal of research training. Non-Thesis involves classes that you need to attend and write an exam after completion of certain courses in your degree. It will have structured set of subjects that you can choose and write an exam to clear each subject. It also contains projects, but those are called mini-projects which you will encounter during your last semester. So students who are not interested in great deal of research and are interested in switching to professional career should take up Non-Thesis Masters Program.
In Simple words Non-Thesis Masters program is similar to what most of the students might have done in Under-Graduation. Every semester had a certain set of subjects and by clearing the exam for each subject you complete that subject. This is Non-Thesis.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Non-Thesis option.
Thesis Masters Program: -
Thesis students will conduct a large research project, which will likely involve several semesters of work. These students must write a thesis, which is a large document that is likely to be published. You will work with a professor to complete your research. The thesis option is for students who wish to get a background in intense research, such as students who are going to pursue a PhD. or students who will be conducting research.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Thesis option.
- It generally takes longer time (2+ years) to complete your Masters Degree.
- If you are interested in PhD, choosing a Thesis option would strengthen your profile for PhD.
- In terms of Job Search you can get it easily and you will mostly be involved in R&D.
Non-thesis option is designed to be more flexible and is tailored for students who don’t necessarily need a great deal of research training. Non-Thesis involves classes that you need to attend and write an exam after completion of certain courses in your degree. It will have structured set of subjects that you can choose and write an exam to clear each subject. It also contains projects, but those are called mini-projects which you will encounter during your last semester. So students who are not interested in great deal of research and are interested in switching to professional career should take up Non-Thesis Masters Program.
In Simple words Non-Thesis Masters program is similar to what most of the students might have done in Under-Graduation. Every semester had a certain set of subjects and by clearing the exam for each subject you complete that subject. This is Non-Thesis.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Non-Thesis option.
- You can complete it in less than 2 years time.
- It will have a pre-defined syllabus.
- If you are not interested in research, go for Non-Thesis.
- You can finish your Masters within 2 years and start looking for jobs.
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UndoRelated QuestionsMore Answers Below
Originally Answered: What is the difference between an MS thesis and non-thesis program in aerospace?
When you apply for your Masters in any field, Many Universities will provide you an option of whether you are interested in Thesis or Non-Thesis for your Masters Program. Students generally do not have much idea about this option. I also got a mail from a student to explain in detail about the same topic.
Thesis students will conduct a large research project, which will likely involve several semesters of work. These students must write a thesis, which is a large document that is likely to be published. You will work with a professor to complete your research. The thesis option is for students who wish to get a background in intense research, such as students who are going to pursue a PhD. or students who will be conducting research.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Thesis option.
Non-thesis option is designed to be more flexible and is tailored for students who don’t necessarily need a great deal of research training. Non-Thesis involves classes that you need to attend and write an exam after completion of certain courses in your degree. It will have structured set of subjects that you can choose and write an exam to clear each subject. It also contains projects, but those are called mini-projects which you will encounter during your last semester. So students who are not interested in great deal of research and are interested in switching to professional career should take up Non-Thesis Masters Program.
In Simple words Non-Thesis Masters program is similar to what most of the students might have done in Under-Graduation. Every semester had a certain set of subjects and by clearing the exam for each subject you complete that subject. This is Non-Thesis.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Non-Thesis option.
Generally while filling your online application you may be asked this question as to whether you are interested in Thesis or Non-Thesis option. If they have not asked then you will be asked when you join the University.
Conclusion: -
To Conclude I would say, Thesis is for those students who want to pursue extensive research in their Masters program and Non-Thesis are for those who are not interested in Research and are more focused towards starting their professional career after Masters.
What to choose: Thesis or Non-Thesis option for a Masters program and which option is the best. So this post will entirely focus on the difference between Thesis and Non-Thesis.Thesis Masters Program: -
Thesis students will conduct a large research project, which will likely involve several semesters of work. These students must write a thesis, which is a large document that is likely to be published. You will work with a professor to complete your research. The thesis option is for students who wish to get a background in intense research, such as students who are going to pursue a PhD. or students who will be conducting research.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Thesis option.
- It generally takes longer time (2+ years) to complete your Masters Degree.
- If you are interested in PhD, choosing a Thesis option would strengthen your profile for PhD.
- In terms of Job Search you can get it easily and you will mostly be involved in R&D.
Non-thesis option is designed to be more flexible and is tailored for students who don’t necessarily need a great deal of research training. Non-Thesis involves classes that you need to attend and write an exam after completion of certain courses in your degree. It will have structured set of subjects that you can choose and write an exam to clear each subject. It also contains projects, but those are called mini-projects which you will encounter during your last semester. So students who are not interested in great deal of research and are interested in switching to professional career should take up Non-Thesis Masters Program.
In Simple words Non-Thesis Masters program is similar to what most of the students might have done in Under-Graduation. Every semester had a certain set of subjects and by clearing the exam for each subject you complete that subject. This is Non-Thesis.
There are certain points that I wish to highlight in Non-Thesis option.
- You can complete it in less than 2 years time.
- It will have a pre-defined syllabus.
- If you are not interested in research, go for Non-Thesis.
- You can finish your Masters within 2 years and start looking for jobs.
Generally while filling your online application you may be asked this question as to whether you are interested in Thesis or Non-Thesis option. If they have not asked then you will be asked when you join the University.
Conclusion: -
To Conclude I would say, Thesis is for those students who want to pursue extensive research in their Masters program and Non-Thesis are for those who are not interested in Research and are more focused towards starting their professional career after Masters.
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This is a very important decision that you need to make when you apply for a graduate program. When you choose MS with thesis, you work on a set of courses + one comprehensive research project. You work under an academic advisor (Professor) to finish this project.
In a MS without thesis program, you will take a prescribed set of courses to complete your degree.
Advantages of MS with thesis
- Profile boost - In addition to your courses, you are working on a comprehensive project and it adds a lot of value to your resume
- Publish - Opportunities to publish your work
- Funding - Opportunities to get funded. If you do a good job, your academic advisor might decide to fund you by providing a RA (Research Assistantship) or TA (Teaching Assistantship)
- Jobs - If you graduate from a well known lab you can easily find alumni from the same lab while looking for jobs
Dis-advantages of MS with thesis (thing that can go wrong)
- Graduating late - Only if you finish your thesis you graduate. So if your advisor is not happy with your work, you might graduate late. I know people who took 3+ years to finish their MS
- Not so cool research - Sometimes you might work on areas that you initially thought you were interested in. This will reduce your drive to do research.
- Burning bridges - This is the worst thing that can happen. If you and your advisor don’t see eye to eye on a lots of things then your life can quickly get miserable. This point ties in well with the first disadvantage (Graduating late)
MS without thesis is basically like your bachelors. The courses are chosen for a particular area. If you choose the wrong program, you might end up taking bad courses that can affect your academics and job hunt.
KEY: research universities before you apply
if you want to find out universities and the research areas that provide, use the following link
You are correct, traditionally doing an M.S. Thesis indicates your interest to do an independent study and a Ph.D.; however, it really does not have that much weight. Consider it an alternative to taking two courses. It is very convenient for people who work while they study, since it allows them to attend fewer classes.
An MS Thesis also gives you the opportunity to study something that is not covered by current courses, or something you really love. MS Thesis are rarely "original" academic work, although this varies from school to school or advisor to advisor. Not doing a thesis should not have any negative effect on your career. However, if you do a thesis on a topic related to your future career, then it may help you land a related job easier.
An MS Thesis also gives you the opportunity to study something that is not covered by current courses, or something you really love. MS Thesis are rarely "original" academic work, although this varies from school to school or advisor to advisor. Not doing a thesis should not have any negative effect on your career. However, if you do a thesis on a topic related to your future career, then it may help you land a related job easier.
In general, the thesis program is considered to be research oriented and the coursework only option is called a professional degree. Financial aid is available only in the thesis option in both state and private institutions.
The thesis option also enables you to have a better chance at admission to a PhD program as you would have been involved in research. The thesis option required a lower number of courses while the coursework only option required more courses as you won't have the credits that come from the thesis.
The thesis option also enables you to have a better chance at admission to a PhD program as you would have been involved in research. The thesis option required a lower number of courses while the coursework only option required more courses as you won't have the credits that come from the thesis.
When I'm hiring you to design space systems, I don't care much about a thesis. I care more about abilities to be creative, to work in a team, to lead a team, to get things accomplished. I like to see projects such as the various organized design competitions (dune buggies, race cars, RC aircraft, underwater vehicles, robots, etc.) The ability to complete a thesis does indicate a degree of determination and the ability to tackle a largish problem. It also indicates some ability to communicate, so it's not irrelevant. But I certainly don't require it.
This hasn't really answered your question, but maybe it provides some context to help you decide what to do.
This hasn't really answered your question, but maybe it provides some context to help you decide what to do.
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