Students studying most traditional programs at most graduate schools typically complete a thesis in order to obtain their master's degree, but each school has different requirements for thesis preparation and completion. Some thesis topics require original work while many others only rely on extensive research. Typically, the director of graduate studies assigns a thesis committee to the student. This committee consists of several faculty members knowledgeable in the student's area of study and capable of guiding the student's research. The student may also have a principle academic adviser who assists in guiding the student's efforts. The faculty in charge of the student ensures that the student understands how long his written thesis must be, along with any other specific requirements.
Occasionally, an institution may have a program that permits a student to complete another project, such as an extensive portfolio or technical project, instead of a written thesis in order to earn a master's degree. This occurs most frequently within an artistic program, where the knowledge and skills obtained by the student show more clearly through examples of his or her work instead of through a written report, but may occur within technical-based programs as well. In these instances, the graduate candidate devotes as much time to the project as another student might devote to a written thesis. The student usually works under the supervision of an adviser or an advising committee and must present the project before obtaining the degree.
Many graduate schools allow students to earn their master's degree through a course-based method, but some institutions require students working under a course-based method to complete seminars or similar requirements that demonstrate the students' acquisition and understanding of thesis-level research skills. Students who obtain their master's degree through coursework alone must complete a greater number of course credits than thesis students in order to obtain their degree. As a result, this method may require that a student spends more time enrolled at the institution than he may have needed to spend if completing the thesis-based route.
The final exam requirement for most graduate schools varies depending on whether or not a student completes a thesis. For course-based degrees, students may end up completing a written exam, oral exam or both written and oral exams, depending on the school's requirements and the the specific program's requirements. For project-based and thesis-based degrees, students typically complete a final oral defense in which they explain their research and conclusions. The student may give this oral defense instead of his final exams or in addition to his final exams, depending on the institution.