Questions? (212) 986-0989
"The topic of my dissertation is still a huge part of my life. I volunteer for two organizations doing special-events fundraising surrounding issues of micro-enterprise and fair trade-two things I came to care about during the program."
- Sally, worked as Director of Special Events for the Horticultural Society of New York after the program
Students are awarded a total of 8 U.S. credits for the successful completion of the thesis (called a dissertation in the UK). Work on the thesis begins in the fall and continues through the spring semester. Although course work ends in early June, it is highly recommended that you remain in England through June and July to complete your thesis. If needed, you may continue working on your thesis after the program ends, for an additional advising fee. The final thesis must be submitted by the first Monday of September.
The thesis of approximately 15,000 words requires a special in-depth study of some aspect of the provision of social services; its subject and scope are defined in consultation between the individual student and the dissertation advisor. The thesis provides an opportunity for you to investigate in detail a social problem occurring locally or elsewhere, examine issues related to an agency's functioning, consider the cultural context of service delivery or policy recommendations, or other topics approved by the dissertation advisor.
Recent students have written their theses about: sustainable development; reproductive rights; HIV/AIDS; the elderly; inner-city education; poverty and education; self-esteem and cultural identity; Habititat for Humanity (an impact assessment); arts as activism; organizational management and behavior; human rights NGOs in Guatemala; refugees in Sierra Leone; and other topics.
