When students first enter the LL.M. program, they are each assigned a faculty advisor, who will assist the student in course selection and will generally act as a mentor. This advisor will often become either the student's thesis supervisor or a member of the thesis supervisory committee (composed of the thesis supervisor and a second reader). The thesis supervisor must be a faculty member with School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies LL.M. supervisory status. In order to determine which faculty member would be the most appropriate thesis supervisor, students are encouraged to discuss their thesis ideas with several different faculty members who have worked in areas related to the idea. The thesis supervisor and thesis supervisory committee will be determined by the end of October of the student's first term. The student will work closely with the thesis supervisor in formulating research questions, writing the thesis proposal, conducting research and preparing the thesis for final defence. It is important that the thesis supervisor and the student have a good working relationship. The thesis proposal (20 pages) must be submitted to the thesis supervisory committee by January 30 for final approval no later than the end of February. Students should work with the thesis supervisor to plan a timetable for submitting drafts for review so that the final approval can be achieved in a timely fashion. Any significant problems in achieving the final approval (such as illness or personal tragedy) should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Chair as early as possible. Students will present their thesis proposal together with the draft chapter in the Graduate Colloquium. A schedule of colloquia will be developed by the faculty member in charge of the series. The student is expected to meet regularly with the thesis supervisor to discuss progress and provide feedback. Near the end of each term, the student and thesis supervisor will prepare a form including the student's statement of work achieved in the past term and work planned for the next term, together with comments of the thesis supervisor and an assessment of progress. This form will be reviewed by the Graduate Chair, who will investigate any potential problems in a timely manner. This review process is seen as critical to monitoring student progress and ensuring timely completion of the program. If at any time during the process of researching and writing the thesis there are problems between the student and his/her thesis supervisor and/or thesis supervisory committee member severe enough to prevent or significantly delay the defence of the thesis, the student should bring the matter to the immediate attention of the Graduate Chair.
LL.M. Program
Thesis Supervision
Faculty members with supervisory status
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