Thesis Roles

Your thesis is under the guidance of faculty and a community of peers, both inside and outside the university, who play a number of roles:

Thesis Instructor (Kathleen McDermott)

The Thesis Instructor leads courses and workshops throughout the semester, sets deadlines for deliverables, and gives the final grade for the thesis class.

Thesis Writing Instructor (Liz McEnaney, liz.mcenaney@gmail.com)

The role of the writing instructor is to help students write their thesis paper. Liz will lead in class sessions on writing as well as give individual feedback on your writing. Any written deliverables should be sent to her, and her comments integrated, BEFORE turning it in to your professor.

Thesis Committee

Your committee members will be present at the defense, and evaluate your paper, project and presentation. They are the following:

Thesis Project Advisor

  • The Project Advisor is external to NYU, and paid a modest honorarium.
  • At the beginning of the semester:
    • Here will be a list of pre-approved advisors for MS Thesis. Please peruse this carefully, and look at their work. Send polite, and carefully worded pitches to potential advisors directly.
    • if you have a another advisor in mind please contact your thesis instructor the first day of class.
  • The Thesis Project Advisor will meet with their Thesis Project Advisee throughout the semester, including (but not limited to):
    • September: At least 1 in person meeting
    • October 21, 6-9pm: Group mid-term presentations and critique (on Brooklyn campus)
    • October: At least 1 in person meeting
    • November: Critical review of research paper and project (provide feedback before thesis defense)
    • November 18–28: Attend thesis defense (on Brooklyn campus), exact date TBD

  • A learning contract is encouraged to give both advisor/advisee a written document of expectations.

  • The Thesis Student will document the meetings (date, time, length, and typed notes) on their process website.

  • The Thesis Defense will be scheduled at a time that is good for the Thesis Project Advisor the rest of the committee. Date, Time, and Room to be determined.

IDM Faculty Reader

  • One full-time faculty member at IDM (Other than K McDermott) will be on the committee
  • They will attend the student’s Thesis Defense, and will be given a digital copy of the student’s thesis paper for review at least one week BEFORE the Defense.

NYU Faculty Reader

  • One faculty member at NYU (other than IDM faculty Reader) will be on the committee
  • They will attend the student’s Thesis Defense, and will be given a digital copy of the student’s thesis paper for review at least one week BEFORE the Defense.

Both Faculty Readers will be assigned mid-semester.

Your Thesis Accountability Partner

You will partner with a classmate for moral support, ideation, proofreading, presentation practice, and most importantly to stay on task.

Thesis Peers

  • Your fellow graduate students are considered to be peers in the discussion and dialogue of your thesis. Students are strongly encouraged to share research and resources as well as critique from their peers.

  • Utilize IDM’s grad studio MAGNET 804 to hold informal critiques, mock presentations, and discussion outside of class.