The Difference Between a Dissertation and a Thesis

Thinking about going to graduate school? Then you're probably reviewing graduate school programs and their graduation requirements. During your research, you've probably encountered the terms "thesis" and "dissertation." Almost every graduate program requires that you complete a thesis or dissertation. These projects demonstrate the knowledge you've obtained in your graduate program. For most programs, you can't complete the program without presenting your thesis or dissertation. While many universities use the terms thesis and dissertation interchangeably, they're not the same thing. There are some key differences that make them unique. Wondering about the requirements of a dissertation vs thesis? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

Capstone Projects: The Thesis and The Dissertation

Another term you might have come across while looking at graduate programs is "capstone project." This is an umbrella term that encompasses both theses and dissertations. But what exactly is a capstone project? Think of it as the culmination of a graduate program. It's a project that is completed at the end of your Master's or Doctorate program. The purpose of a capstone project is to demonstrate to the faculty of your program and your university that you've learned enough to earn an advanced degree. Capstone projects require an immense amount of research and critical thinking. They require you to draw conclusions about your field of study based on the information you've learned in your graduate program and develop new ideas based on that information. 

Once you've completed your capstone project it must be defended. This is a formal process where you present your thesis or dissertation to a panel of faculty. They will ask detailed questions about your capstone project. You must answer to demonstrate that you're proficient with the research and theories you've developed in your capstone project. If you successfully defend your capstone project, you'll be able to graduate from your Master's or Doctorate program.  Though they're both capstone projects, there are important differences between a thesis and a dissertation. The main differences are when they're completed and the scope of the project. 

The Thesis: The Capstone Project for Your Master's

A thesis is the capstone project for a Master's program. You'll start working on your thesis shortly after starting your Master's program. You'll start by identifying a question or topic you want to investigate further. Researching and exploring this question or topic will be the focus of your graduate studies. You'll be required to complete core courses necessary to your degree, but all the rest of your studies will be focused on developing your thesis. You'll work with a faculty advisor who helps you develop and refine your thesis. Many graduate programs leave the entire last semester of the program for completing the thesis. So, you won't have any classes, but you'll be working harder than you ever have to complete your capstone project. Your thesis will be based on existing research within your field of study. The bulk of the project will analyze and interpret existing research that pertains to your thesis question or topic. Then you'll draw your own conclusions based on that research. In your thesis, you'll also offer your commentary based on the knowledge you've gained in your graduate program. 

A thesis is similar to the research papers you've had to write all through undergrad. However, theses are much longer. They also require much more research, analysis, and critical thinking than a research paper. Your thesis will probably be 100 or more pages. It represents the entirety of the knowledge you gained during your Master's program. Your thesis demonstrates your ability to practically apply and use that knowledge.

The Dissertation: The Capstone Project for Your Doctorate

A dissertation is the capstone project for a doctorate degree. A dissertation takes years to complete. It will be the main focus of your doctoral program. Unlike a thesis, the goal of a dissertation is not to analyze and interpret existing research. Your dissertation is your opportunity to add new knowledge and research to your field of study. You'll start your dissertation by making a hypothesis about a topic in your field of study. Your hypothesis needs to explore something within your field of study on which there isn't much current research. With a dissertation, you'll be gathering your own data and research. You won't rely much on existing research. This means that you'll need to design ways to collect data that explores your hypothesis.

Data for a dissertation can be collected in many ways, depending on your field of study. Your data collection may take the form of experiments, surveys, interviews, or a combination of all these methods. Your dissertation will lay out the results of all the data you've collected. It will also analyze that data and detail the conclusions you've drawn from the data. You'll also need to state whether your hypothesis was supported or refuted. Your dissertation will also propose how this new knowledge can be applied to your field of study and what further research should be done based on your research. Your dissertation will likely be a few hundred pages long. It will take several years to complete. Extensive review of your data, research, and conclusions will be required. Your dissertation is the representation of all the work you will do to earn your doctorate and your tangible contribution to your field of study.

Dissertation vs Thesis

So, when talking about dissertation vs thesis, it's important to understand that they have very different purposes and expectations. A thesis will analyze and draw conclusions about existing research and you'll complete it to earn a Master's Degree. A dissertation will contribute new information to your field of study and you'll complete it to earn a Doctorate Degree. For more information about writing a thesis or dissertation and professional advice about making these projects the best they can be, check out the "Services" section of our website.