Students are required to present evidence of ability to do independent research. This can be demonstrated in three ways. See each program section for explanation of research options within each graduate program.
The first method is a thesis. Those students writing theses must submit their original theses for binding and microfilming by ProQuest of Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition, a Dissertation Services publishing form and an abstract of 150 words or fewer must be submitted with the publishing fee, to Office of the Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, no later than three weeks before graduation. Fees for microfilming, publishing abstracts, and binding original theses for the permanent PLU library collection are paid by students (see Tuition and Fees section).
The second method is a research paper. If a program requires or students elect research paper options, one original paper must be submitted to the Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies with an abstract of 150 words or fewer, no later than three weeks before graduation. Research papers will be microfilmed at PLU and placed in the PLU library collection. Microfilming fees are paid by students.
Theses and research papers that have been approved and signed must be submitted to the Office of the Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies not later than three weeks before graduation. All theses and papers presented must be clean, error-free, and follow the approved style manual for the respective academic program. Details are available from the University Archivist, who reviews all manuscripts to ensure that they conform to university requirements.
The third method of fulfilling research requirements used in some programs is paper presentations or culminating projects in specific courses designed to comprehensively integrate a program's material while promoting independent research and study.
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