San Francisco State University
Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
Policy On: Thesis and ARP Eligibility

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THESIS AND APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Approved 11/2/05; In Effect Spring Semester 2006
Updated Policy 11/7/08; In Effect Spring Semester 2009
Updated Policy 2/11/09; In Effect Spring Semester 2009

Preparing a thesis or an Applied Research Project (ARP) as a culminating experience requirement in the Recreation Graduate Program is a significant challenge for students and can require considerable faculty advisor time. Therefore, the department has developed criteria to help students determine if they are eligible to conduct a thesis or ARP. To be eligible to take the thesis or ARP option for their culminating experience requirement a student must have:

* Completed all core and specialized courses. Students can petition to take RPT 880 concurrently with starting a thesis/ARP, although taking RPT 880 concurrently is not recommended. A student must have completed RPT 810, no exceptions.

* Received a grade of at least B+ for RPT 810 and RPT 880.

* Demonstrated excellent writing ability in RPT 810 and RPT 880

* For a thesis only; completed a basic statistics class with a grade of B- or better.

If a student meets the above qualifications, then they must:

* Petition their Culminating Experience Committee to be eligible to take the thesis/ARP option

* Petition must include:

A) Completed Proposal for Culminating Experience form ( form 895 for APR or 898 for thesis). See www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/culminating-experience.htm.

B) Written formal Prospectus, a maximum of three (3) pages in length, that addresses the following. It must contains the headings shown below in italics.

1. In the Introduction describe your interest, background and relevant literature for the topic of your proposed thesis or ARP. The literature must include at least four references very specifically related to your proposal that will be used to describe the research history of your type of research. Provide a formal bibliography at the end. If you are doing an ARP then identify a specific project and the organization you propose to work with and clearly state how your project could be applied to benefit it.

2. Describe a proposed Time Line to complete all thesis/ARP requirements in a 2-4 semester time period. This must show estimated completion dates for:
A) provision of comprehensive written proposal (Chapters 1-3) to your CEC; B) oral presentation of proposal to your CEC;
C) human subjects committee approval;
D) start-up of research
E) completion of research/project;
F) submittal of final draft thesis or professional paper(PP) to advisor;
G) tentative date for holding thesis or PP oral defense; and
H) Graduate Divsion deadline to turn in an approved thesis or PP for graduation in your last semester.

3. What is your proposed thesis/ARP Problem Statement or Purpose Statement. Your statement must orient the reader to the central intent and direction of your proposal and other key elements related to it. If your statement is similar to that done in RPT 810 then also append a copy of Chapters 1 and 2 from your RPT 810 proposal.

4. In the Methods provide a brief description of your proposed overall research/project design, data sources/sample and the methods for gathering and anlyzing data. It should include enough detail to identify extent and the feasibility of your proposed methods.

See webpage Thesis, Applied Project and Comps Preparation for details on the process of approvals and steps to completion.