Master’s Thesis: Stages and Process

The master’s thesis process is initiated right at the beginning of the studies. The master’s thesis accounts for 30 credits (800 hrs) and is normally completed in 1-2 years. The master’s thesis process consists of four stages:

1. Identification and definition
2. Planning and initiation
3. Implementation, reporting and assessment
4. Maturity test

The master’s thesis may be connected with the development of the student’s work organisation, in which case a cooperation agreement is drawn up (employer, student, JAMK) on the assignment to be completed. The students are provided with necessary guidance in the form of collaborative group guidance and individual guidance. Guidance is provided by tutors with principal lecturer’s qualification and professional knowledge of the subject area of the thesis. The aim is that a tutor/mentor representing the field of work concerned is also appointed for each development assignment.

Maturity test

Students must take a maturity test as part of their master’s thesis. In the maturity test, students must write a research or a project release of about 500 words that could be published in a newspaper, a professional journal or on the JAMK's website. The purpose of the maturity test is to show that the students are able to provide different target groups with written information about the results and potential applications of their development work.

Instructions for writing a research/project release can be found in: Hirsjärvi, S., Remes, P. & Sajavaara, P. 2009. Tutki ja kirjoita. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Tammi. 15thedition, pp. 279 – 289.

The student must submit the paper to the first tutor of the master’s thesis in connection with the assessment of the thesis. The maturity test is graded pass/fail. The master’s thesis can only be approved if the maturity test is graded ‘pass’. JAMK University of Applied Sciences will not publish the releases.