School for Graduate Studies

Where to Study

The Final Project

The final project proposal will serve as your learning contract. You and your first reader must make sure that it is in place and approved so that everyone is clear on what you are doing and why you are doing it. It is your responsibility to get started on your work promptly and to keep in regular contact with your first reader.

The best way to expedite your work is to communicate with your first reader often. He/she will respond regularly and thoroughly to the written work that you submit. You must send your first reader drafts of your work as you go along. The first reader’s reactions and comments to what you are doing as you do it will be very helpful and keep you from straying too far from your original direction.

The following are specifics regarding the format of a final project:
1. Length – The thesis, position paper or collection of related papers normally should total 60 to 100 double-spaced pages. The case study, practicum or creative project may be somewhat shorter.
2. Style – The style will conform to the most current edition of the appropriate book for your program:

  • Liberal studies – Modern Language Association (MLA)
  • Policy studies – American Psychological Association (APA)

   All final projects are required to have:

  • an abstract of no more than 150 words,
  • an appropriate title page (see sample at www.esc.edu/MyESC, search Graduate Form Center)
  • a table of contents, and
  • a bibliography.

3. Language – The language of a Final Project should reflect an appropriate level of style and graduate level discourse.
4. Font – Printing must be done in a letter-quality 12 point font (e.g., Century Gothic, Helvetica, Arial, etc.) A personalized or fancy font is not acceptable, and use of bold subtitles is not encouraged. All text should be printed in black only.
5. Margins – Margins are to be one inch for the top, bottom and sides.
6. Copies – After passing the oral defense with the first and second reader, you will prepare a final manuscript.
7. Processing - the School for Graduate Studies uses the services of ProQuest/UMI for the processing of Final Projects. Submit your manuscript electronically to the School for Graduate Studies using the Web interface, http://www.etdadmin.com/esc.