FAQ
What are the Requirements for an International Degree?
Who awards the International Degree?
What are the ID thesis format guidelines?
Does the student have to complete a thesis log?
How many credits does the thesis take?
What is the "Introduction to Thesis" class?
What are some suggestions for developing a successful advisor:student relationship?
What are some examples of ID theses?
Students must study or work or do research abroad for a minimum of ten weeks.
Students must attain fourth-year proficiency in a second language with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all foreign language coursework.
Students must enroll in four additional baccalaureate core courses in selected areas. Details of these courses are provided in the International Degree Passport brochure (available from the International Degree Office).
Students must complete a Senior Thesis which places their major in an international context. The Senior Thesis is a mentored activity which is supervised by an OSU faculty advisor. It is this requirement for which the student has requested your assistance.
The total credits earned for completing the above requirements must be at least 32 credits beyond those required for the primary degree.
Departments Award the International Degree
The International Degree is awarded by departments. Although it is administered centrally, all decisions regarding admissions and graduation are made at the departmental level. Advising and graduation audits are also performed in the student's host department. In the case of some colleges, the head advisor will finalize the graduation audit. You, as this student's advisor, will be the individual who makes the final decision regarding the acceptability of the thesis for a B.A. in International Studies.
The Senior Thesis requires more effort than a term paper but less than an M.A. or M.S. thesis. Each baccalaureate program at OSU requires students to complete a Writing Intensive Course (WIC). The Senior Thesis is the ID Program's WIC. WIC courses require students to engage in substantial writing and re-writing under the direction of a faculty mentor who has interest in developing student writing skills. WIC requirements are for a minimum of 5,000 words with 2,000 words of polished formal writing. Students in WIC courses are expected to learn the style of writing which is appropriate to their discipline. We ask that you make special effort to help students develop a writing capability (including details such as citation style) appropriate to the style used in their academic discipline. We encourage students in programs which also require a project or thesis, such as the University Honors College and the Bioresources Research Program, to internationalize their programs by participating in the International Degree program. Please contact the International Degree Office, the Honors College, or the appropriate academic department for details.
An additional component of meeting the Writing Intensive Course (WIC) requirement is that students maintain a Thesis Log. Although the format may vary somewhat from student to student, the log may record a student's thoughts, ideas, frustrations and progress. We ask you to monitor student progress by monitoring the Thesis Log.
Students are required to register for 3-6 credits in their home department to complete the thesis (about 180 hours of total effort). They register under course number 403 Thesis (e.g. a Political Science student would register for PS 403). You, as the student's advisor, will become the instructor in charge. Credits may be allocated to one quarter or taken sequentially.
Introduction to the Thesis Class
We offer "Introduction to the Thesis" (INTL407), (1 credit Pass/No pass), a class designed to help students and their advisors understand the requirements of the thesis and establish a plan for fulfilling these requirements. The course is offered as an evening seminar three times during fall and winter terms. Faculty advisors are invited to join their students for the final meeting (normally Tuesday evening of the sixth week of the term).
Note: Students are required to take this course.
Developing a Successful Advisor : Student Relationship
Your relationship with the ID student should be an integral and meaningful aspect of your work at OSU. Please be sure you have the time to investment in this relationship and that the student's project/thesis is within your area of expertise.
We suggest you address the following points with your ID student at your first formal meeting.
What are the objectives of the thesis? Are the objectives realistic? Can the focus be narrowed?
How will your student accomplish the objectives? (i.e., What methods will be used? What resources are necessary?) Note: Funding may be available on a competitive basis for research contributing to the student's thesis. Please contact the ID office for more information.
If the thesis is a scientific investigation, what is the hypothesis and how will it be tested? How does it fit in an international context? If the thesis is comparative in nature, what is the international dimension?
Is the time table realistic?
Frequency of meeting. How often do you expect to meet with your student during the program? (Once per week, once per month? Other?) We recommend frequent contact and are willing to facilitate this.
What are your expectations? This experience must be of mutual benefit.
Will you be available to evaluate and grade the final thesis and attend an oral presentation at the time your student is intending to complete his/her program? The final presentation is a capstone event. Your attendance is critical.