Research Papers for Graduate Students

Your master’s or doctoral program will culminate in perhaps the most important research paper you will ever write: your thesis or dissertation. The structures of these documents are as critical as the information presented within them.

The UW Graduate School provides an excellent overview of the structural requirements for graduate papers:

For the Master's Thesis

For the Ph.D. Dissertation

As you review these documents, please note the following items specific to the J-School:

• The J-School does require master’s students to deposit their theses in Memorial Library
• J-School theses and dissertations must include abstracts
• Style requirements may vary depending on your research approach. You are encouraged to consult with your adviser regarding style preferences.