Comprehensive Exam, Master's Thesis and Capstone Project

To qualify for the Master of Social Work degree under the quarter system, a candidate must: “Complete satisfactorily a comprehensive examination requirement (non-thesis) in the quarter of graduation or write and defend successfully a thesis.” (Graduate School Handbook, http://www.gradsch.ohio-state.edu/).  After the MSW program transitions to semesters, all students will be required to complete a capstone project in lieu of the comprehensive exam or master's thesis.  If you are in the midst of your MSW studies during the transition to semesters, the coursework you have completed up to that point will influence whether you are eligible to choose between the comprehensive exam and a master's thesis or whether you will be required to complete a capstone project instead.  To find out which situation applies to you, contact Brenda Davidson, Academic Advisor for the MSW program at davidson.8@osu.edu or 292-7684.

Master's Thesis Option

Comprehensive Examination (non-thesis option)
Candidates shall perform satisfactorily on a College comprehensive written examination of at least four hours duration. Off quarter graduates (any quarter other than Spring) must notify the MSW Program Office of their intent to take the exam at least two months in advance in order to receive a study guide.

Change of Plan: A student may change from one plan to the other, provided this change is approved by the advisor and the chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Graduate School is notified of this change in writing. However, hours of 998 (thesis research) completed under the thesis option will not apply toward the requirements of the non-thesis program.

Additional Graduation Requirements: See Graduate School Handbook, (http://www.gradsch.ohio-state.edu/) for details of additional graduation requirements.