All Master of Nursing and Master of Science students are required to engage in an independent scholarly inquiry activity resulting in either a thesis or a scholarly project (non-thesis). The distinction between a thesis and a scholarly project option is neither the quality nor the quantity of effort; they are different forms of scholarly inquiry.

Master of Science students are required to complete a thesis (NMETH 700, minimum of 9 credits) as their independent scholarly inquiry activity. Master of Nursing students may elect either a thesis or a scholarly project (may include NMETH 598 and other relevant courses) as their scholarly inquiry activity.

Thesis and scholarly project options share five important attributes:

1. Demonstration of scholarship, including mastery of a focused area of knowledge.


2. Completion of required research course(s). All students are required to complete NMETH 520. In addition, all BNHS students must completed NMETH 530.


3. Completion of a minimum of 6 or 9 credits of scholarly inquiry coursework. For thesis students, this coursework will be a minimum of 9 credits of NMETH 700. For scholarly project students, this coursework will be a minimum of 6 credits and may involve only NMETH 598 (Special Projects) or include both NMETH 598 and other relevant courses.


4. Guidance by a supervisory committee who must approve a written plan. For thesis students, the plan is the thesis proposal; for scholarly project students the plan is the Master of Nursing Scholarly Project Plan and Final Product Report Form.


5. When conducting research involving human subjects, completion and submission of the Use of Human and Animal Subjects for Theses and Dissertations form.


6. Completion of a final examination and final quarter requirements.

More information on theses and projects is located here:

Thesis Scholarly Project (Non-thesis)