A thesis is not required, although students may benefit by undertaking a major piece of policy-related research while in planning to boost job prospects, or for continuing graduate work at the doctoral level. The thesis, if done well, will be an example of research capabilities, writing abilities, and analytical skills.

Coursework requirements for thesis students are identical to those for all other students:

• completion of core coursework (24 semester hours)
• development of an area of concentration (9 semester hours)
  • up to 3 semester hours may be Readings (URP:6305)
• completion of a Sustainable Communities Lab capstone
• completion of at least 45 semester hours total
  • remaining units for the 45 total hours are combinations of elective courses, Readings, and Thesis (URP:6325).

In all cases, a maximum of 8 semester hours of Readings may be used toward the degree requirements and a maximum of 6 semester hours can be Thesis (URP:6325).

Under the above curriculum arrangement, students may use up to 14 credit hours (8 in directed readings and 6 in thesis hours) for research and writing a thesis. However, they are encouraged to use elective units to broaden their coursework experiences by completing at least one course in a somewhat different field than those of the thesis and area of concentration.

The thesis examination (oral defense) will substituted for the program's final oral exam.