Master's Project or Master's Thesis
Please read the information below to determine the options for the program completion that pertain to your program of studies.
For students in the PhD program, you will complete a Dissertation. Below is a list of PhD graduates and the titles of their dissertations.
The last day in each term to defend a project, thesis, or dissertation is provided below:
| Summer term | Fall term | Spring term |
| last business day in July | last business day in November | last business day in March |
Responsibilities of the Student and the Supervising Committee
For more information on what you can expect from your Academic Supervisor and the supervising committee, please consult the Graduate Calendar - Graduate Examinations. An updated version of The School's graduate Supervision handbook, with sections pertinent to Master's and PhD programs, will be accessible soon.
In addition, some faculty members have developed their own set of guidelines regarding what students should expect from them as supervisors and what they expect of students working with them.
Administrative Matters
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all administrative deadlines. Contact your graduate secretary regarding School of Public Administration defence deadlines and procedures.
Policies and procedures for completing a thesis are outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies under Student Resources.
Please note that the School will require an electronic (PDF format) copy of your final thesis. Please submit this copy to the graduate secretary.
Students in the Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) program may choose to complete either a group Master's Project (CD 596), an individual Master's Project (CD 598) or a Master's Thesis (CD 599) to conclude their program.
Group Master's Project
The MACD Group Master's Project (CD 596) requires students to work in small groups. This project is a substantial analysis of a management, policy or program problem for a client in the community development sector. This major project is prepared, throughout the program, in consultation with the client and an academic supervisor from regular faculty from the university and qualified practitioners and must be both practical and academically rigorous.
Individual Master's Project
The MACD Individual Master's Project (CD 598) is a substantial analysis of a management, policy or program problem for a client in the community development sector. This major project is prepared in consultation with the client and an academic supervisor from regular faculty from the university and qualified practitioners and must be both practical and academically rigorous.
Master's Thesis
The Master's Thesis (CD599) demonstrates mastery of a substantive body of scholarly or empirical literature in Community Development, making use of appropriate and academically defensible methodologies to analyze research questions, undertake empirical research (qualitative or quantitative) or contribute new theoretical knowledge. Individual students work with an academic supervisor in the School of Public Administration.
Master's Project Guide
The purpose of this guide is to provide a resource document for MACD students. It may be consulted at any time by individuals who are either considering applying for the Master's Program or are current students. The guide can be used as a companion document to your work in the MACD program and will assist you with the conceptualization of a research project, development of the project’s research design, execution of the research, and the production of a written report to be presented at the defence. View the MACD Master's Project Guide (under construction, please review project on the CourseSpaces website.)
Master's Project Resources
- Review the School's Policy on Ethics Approvals for Research and the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) process.
- Past reports are available at the School of Public Administration office and are posted on UVic Space.
- Complete the Master's Project Title and Supervisor form - Students must submit this form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant at paservice1@uvic.ca.
Responsibilities of the Student and the Supervising Committee
For more information on what you can expect from your Academic Supervisor and the supervising committee, please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies website or the Graduate Calendar.
Administrative Matters
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all administrative deadlines. Contact your graduate secretary regarding School of Public Administration defence deadlines and procedures.
Policies and procedures for completing a major project are outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Please note that the School will require an electronic (PDF format) copy of your final thesis. Please submit this copy to the graduate secretary.
To book a room for your oral defence, please contact the Graduate Administrative Assistant at paservice1@uvic.ca.
Students in the Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution (MADR) program may choose to complete either a Master's Project (DR 598) or a Master's Thesis (DR 599) to conclude their program. Completing a Master's Thesis requires the prior approval of the Director.
Master's Project (4.5 units): DR 598
The MADR Master's Project (DR 598) requires students to complete a major project for a client in consultation with an academic supervisor and Graduate Advisor. The project is expected to be a substantial analysis of a conflict situation or process, policy issue, or other relevant topic approved by the Graduate Advisor. The Project must provide evidence of independent research by the student and otherwise meet the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. It will have a practical application and is generally prepared in consultation with a client, as well as the supervisor. A written report will be prepared and submitted to an oral examination committee.
Before starting the project, students must complete MADR core courses (DR 501, 502, 503, 505, 589, 506, 512, 515, 520 (or 511)) and any electives relevant to the DR 598 project. Students choosing this option will complete a program of 19.5 units.
Master's Project Resources
- Before you start your Master's Project, please contact Kim Speers to be granted access to the CourseSpaces site which has a complete list of Project requirements.
- Review the School's Policy on Ethics Approvals for Research and the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) process.
- Past reports are available at the School of Public Administration office and are posted on UVic Space.
- Review a list of past MADR reports and theses on the Master's Project Library.
- MADR Letter to client.
- Master's Project Title and Supervisor form - Students must submit this form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Judy Selina.
Master's Thesis (6.0 units): DR 599
Advanced approval of the School of Public Administration Director required.
A Master's Thesis (DR 599) is a substantial contribution to the knowledge in the field of Dispute Resolution. The thesis demonstrates a student's mastery of a substantive body of scholarly or practice literature as well as using appropriate and academically defensible methodologies to analyze research questions, test hypotheses or contribute new theoretical knowledge. The thesis is defended in an oral examination. The Master's Thesis requires original research on a topic chosen in consultation with the student's academic supervisor and the Graduate Advisor, and otherwise meet the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the department. Before starting the thesis, students must complete MADR core courses (DR 501, 502, 503, 505, 506, 512, 515, 520 (or 511)) and any electives relevant to the DR 599 Thesis. All course requirements must be completed before proceeding to the oral examination.
Students undertaking the DR 599 thesis option will complete a program of 21 units.
Master's Thesis Resources
- For a complete list of thesis requirements and procedures, please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
- Review the School's Policy on Ethics Approvals for Research and the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) process.
- Looking for a supervisor? View list of faculty and their research interests.
- Past MADR theses are available to view at the Public Administration office and are posted on UVic Space.
- Election to Proceed with Master's Thesis form - Students must submit this form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Judy Selina.
Master's Project (4.5 units): ADMN 598
The Master's Project (ADMN 598) is a substantial analysis of a management, policy or program problem for a client in the non-profit or public sector. The Master's Project is prepared in consultation with a client and an academic supervisor in the School of Public Administration and must be both practical and academically rigorous. The Master's Project is defended in an oral examination.
Students have the choice of working individually or with a partner. Team-based reports must be designed and written so that each team member's contributions are clearly indicated.
Master's Project Resources
- Before you start your Master's Project, please contact Kim Speers to be granted access to the CourseSpaces site which has a complete list of Project requirements.
- Access past reports from the Master's Project Library
- Looking for a supervisor? View list of faculty and their research interests
- Review the School's Policy on Ethics Approvals for Research and the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) process
- Information for potential clients
- Master's Project Title and Supervisor form - Students must submit this form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Judy Selina.
Upcoming Defense Deadlines
Last day for Master's Project Oral defence in Spring: final business day in March.
Last day for Master's Project Oral defence in Summer: final business day in July.
Last day for Master's Project Oral defence in Fall: final business day in November.
Master's Thesis (6.0 units): ADMN 599
Advanced approval of the School of Public Administration Director required.
A Master's Thesis (ADMN 599) is a substantial contribution to the knowledge in the field of Public Administration. The thesis demonstrates a student's mastery of a substantive body of scholarly or practice literature as well as using appropriate and academically defensible methodologies to analyze research questions, test hypotheses or contribute new theoretical knowledge. The thesis is defended in an oral examination. Completing a thesis rather than a Master's Project will increase the number of units assigned to an MPA program from 19.5 to 21.
Individual students will work with an academic supervisor in the School.
Master's Thesis Resources
- For a complete list of thesis requirements, please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website
- Looking for a supervisor? View list of faculty and their research interests
- Review the School's Policy on Ethics Approvals for Research and the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) process
- Election to Proceed with Master's Thesis form - Students must submit this form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Judy Selina.
Students admitted to the Master of Public Administration Online program prior to and including Fall 2018 (September 2018 start) may opt to complete a Master’s Project or Master’s Thesis, but are not obligated to complete either. Please refer to the message that was sent to active MPA Online students (available here). If you are currently registered for the report and plan to complete this work, continue as before. If you are currently registered for the project or thesis and elect to be governed by the new program, please contact Judy Selina (paservice@uvic.ca), as she will assist you with the next steps in the process.
Students admitted for Fall 2019 will not complete a Master's Project or Master's Thesis to complete their program.
Please note that students admitted to the MPA On Campus program are not governed by this program change; see the information available at https://www.uvic.ca/hsd/publicadmin/graduate/current-students/policies/index.php
Boyd, Brendan
"Learning to Address Climate Change: Collaboration, Policy Transfer, and Choosing Instruments in Canadian Provinces"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2016
Breen, Coralie
"Beyond Petroleum: Strategic Workforce Planning and Climate Change Policies"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2015
Williams, Julie
"Environmental Leadership: Policy Implications for Provincial Governments in Canada"
Supervisor: C. Althaus, 2015
Dolan, Norman
"Settling Differences: New Approaches to Conflict Resolution in High-Security Organizations"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2014
Rousseau, Jane
"Empowered or Tokenized? The Experiences of Aboriginal Human Service Workers and Organizational Responses Within a Historically Oppressive Child Welfare System"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2014
Longo, Justin
"Towards Policy Analysis 2.0"
Supervisor: R. Dobell, 2013
Rachwalski, Maurice
"Public Sector capacity to Plan and Deliver public/Private Infrastructure Partnerships: A Case Study of British Columbia’s Health Care Sector"
Supervisor: J. Langford, 2013
McIntosh, Gordon
"Defining situational leadership for the local government chief administrative officer"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2010
Walinga, Jennifer
"The Power of Focus: Unlocking Creative Insight and Overcoming Performance Barriers"
Supervisor: B. Cunningham, 2007
Harrison, Yvonne D.
"Motivated to Adopt: Understanding the Digital Effectiveness Divide (DED) in Volunteerism"
Supervisor: J. MacGregor, 2005
Chen, Guangyu
"Greg Evaluation of the British Columbia Photo Radar Program"
Supervisor: R. Warburton, 2003
Corbett, John Christopher
"The value sieve: a decision system for complex environments" (Interdisciplinary PhD)
Supervisor: J. Cutt, 2003
Cran, Gregory
"The......"
Supervisor: E. Lindquist, 2003
Penney, Christine
"Getting clear on the concept: accountability in the Canadian health system"
Supervisor: J. Cutt, 2002
Mitchell, Darcy Anne
"Sustainable by design: how to build better institutions for fisheries management in British Columbia"
Supervisor: R. Bish, R. Dobell, 1997
Brown, Leslie Allison
"Administrative work in aboriginal governments"
Supervisor: F. Cassidy, 1996
Muller-Clemm, Werner Johannes
"Halting the 'Revolving Door' of serious mental illness: evaluating an assertive case management program" (Interdisciplinary PhD)
Supervisor: J. McDavid, 1996
Anholt, Dennis Munroe
"Friends of the government: an administrative history of the British Columbia government agents" (Interdisciplinary PhD)
Supervisor: J. Cutt, 1992
Lam, Newman Ming Ki
"Learning in the real world environment: a classification model based on sensitivity to within-dimension and between-category variation of feature frequencies"
Supervisor: J. MacGregor, 1991
Kennedy, Bruce Richard
"Intra-cohort redistribution using longitudinal microsimulation: the impact of potential changes to Canada's public pension system"
Supervisor: R. Dobell, 1989