Senate Bill 25-26-19
| Bill ID: | 25-26-19 |
| Name: | Amendment to Policy III-7.00(A): Replacement of Scholarly Paper/Exam with Culminating Project |
| Proposed: | 09/26/2025 |
| Sponsor: | The Graduate School |
| Proposal: | An increasing number of Master’s programs at UMD are introducing a non-thesis option. For Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees, however, the current policy limits the culminating project to one or more scholarly papers and a final examination, “a portion of which must be written.” This framework poses three challenges. First, it restricts the scope of possible culminating projects to written work, rather than allowing formats better aligned with disciplinary practices and career outcomes. Second, the requirement of a scholarly paper often creates the perception of a “thesis light,” rather than recognizing it as a rigorous stand-alone project. Third, the policy offers little guidance for programs on how to differentiate a non-thesis track from the thesis option. Revising the language would allow programs to design culminating projects that are both meaningful within their disciplines and better tailored to students’ professional trajectories. The Graduate School is seeking removal of the “scholarly paper” limitation and final examination in Policy Number III-7.00(A), University of Maryland, College Park Degree Requirements, under the Non-Thesis Option in the Graduate School Degree Requirements, section D.2.b, to be replaced with language requiring a “culminating project that reflects disciplinary and professional mastery.” Culminating projects may take a variety of forms—including but not limited to a portfolio, applied or client-based project, scholarly paper, performance or exhibition, capstone course project, or comprehensive examination—and should be defined by the program in ways that best align with the field’s practices and career pathways. |
| Active? | No |
| Policy: | https://policies.umd.edu/academic-affairs/policy-on-degree-and-curricular-requirements |