Academically reviewed by Andy Riggle, AVP, Office of Graduate Studies
While researching graduate degrees, you may have come across articles mentioning a thesis or a dissertation. They might sound like two sides of the same coin, but they’re not quite identical. A dissertation is an extensive piece of original research completed as part of a doctoral program, while a thesis is a shorter research project typically required for a master’s degree.
A dissertation is a lengthy, original research project completed as part of a doctoral program. A thesis, on the other hand, is typically a shorter research project required for a master’s degree. Both involve research and academic writing, but their depth, scope, and purpose differ significantly.
Table of Contents
- Definition of a Thesis
- Definition of a Dissertation
- Key Differences Between a Thesis and a Dissertation
- Common Challenges and Considerations
- Career Implications
- Conclusion
Most graduate programs, whether at the master’s or doctoral level, require some form of final project to graduate. This could be a thesis, dissertation, capstone project, or comprehensive exam, depending on the level of study, field, and institution. Doctoral-level requirements are generally more demanding, but they also offer greater opportunities to build skills and unlock higher-level roles with stronger earning potential. As you may realize; the more skills you develop, the more access you have to higher paying jobs.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the terminology? Take a breath. This article breaks it down for you. We’ll walk through the differences between a thesis and a dissertation, their goals, structure, and what’s expected in both master’s and doctoral programs, so you can confidently move forward.
Definition of a Thesis
In academic settings, the term thesis refers to a substantial research paper or project completed as part of a master’s degree program. If you’re beginning a master’s program, chances are a thesis is in your future. For many students, it’s a chance to explore a topic they care about and contribute their own analysis or perspective.
A master’s thesis typically involves reviewing and analyzing existing research to answer a specific question or present a unique point of view within a discipline. Unlike a dissertation, which requires original research, a thesis generally synthesizes existing data. An exception to this is in STEM fields, where some programs may require students to conduct their own experiments or studies.
In terms of length, a thesis is shorter than a dissertation, usually falling between 40 and 100 pages, or roughly 10,000 to 25,000 words. Despite the shorter length, the structure closely mirrors that of a dissertation, with standard sections such as:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Completing a thesis helps develop key skills in research, critical thinking, academic writing, and project management. These skills can benefit students who go on to doctoral programs, or be directly applied in a wide range of professional settings.
Definition of a Dissertation
A dissertation is an original, in-depth research project typically required in doctoral (PhD) programs. Its purpose is to contribute new knowledge, insights, or theories to the field through independent research and analysis. Completing a dissertation allows students to demonstrate subject mastery and academic rigor, culminating in a formal dissertation defense, where they present and justify their work to a faculty committee.
Compared to a master’s thesis, the scope of a dissertation is broader and more complex. While it follows a similar structure, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion, the dissertation includes longer chapters, a more extensive review of existing literature, and a more robust and carefully developed methodology.
Dissertations are also significantly longer than theses. Depending on the discipline, they typically range from 100 to over 300 pages, or from 40,000 to 90,000 words or more. Formatting is usually standardized as 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced.
Completing a dissertation is a major academic milestone. Along the way, students become subject matter experts while also building highly transferable skills in advanced research, problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-management. These capabilities are valued not only in academia but also in business, healthcare, public policy, and other leadership-driven industries.
Key Differences Between a Thesis and a Dissertation
We’ve gone over the basics of what comprises a thesis and a dissertation and how they serve as key components of graduate education. Now, let’s get into the details of what distinguishes these two research projects. We’ll look at the differences in level of study, research expectations, scope of work, and final defense.
Level of Study
A thesis is required for most master’s programs and focuses on analyzing and interpreting existing knowledge within a field. Students are expected to gather and examine this information to provide fresh perspectives or insights. By completing a thesis, the student proves their ability to conduct independent research, critically engage with existing work, and present findings clearly and coherently.
In STEM fields, however, the focus is slightly different. A STEM thesis typically involves conducting original research or experimentation to address a problem within their field. This approach demonstrates a student’s ability to apply scientific methods, analyze data, and contribute new knowledge to their discipline.
On the other hand, a dissertation is required in PhD programs and aims to create new knowledge through original research. It goes beyond a master thesis by requiring a broader scope, a more lengthy and deeper analysis, and making a contribution to the field.
A dissertation is the culmination of a PhD program, representing the pinnacle of academic achievement. A master’s thesis can be seen as a foundational milestone that serves as an important step in developing the skills and knowledge needed for advanced research or professional work.
Research Expectations
Primarily, writing a thesis involves analyzing existing research, conducting literature reviews, and synthesizing established theories or findings. This work may not require original research, but instead, it focuses on reinterpreting existing work through the student’s perspective.
A dissertation involves conducting original research, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings that address gaps in existing knowledge or develop new frameworks, models, or solutions. This work must be innovative and contribute to the field.
Scope of Work
Thesis work is narrower in scope, typically addressing a single question or topic within a field. Students often analyze a limited set of data or existing research, with the literature review providing context by summarizing and analyzing prior studies. The methodology usually applies established techniques or frameworks to address the research question.
In contrast, a dissertation is broader in scope, often addressing complex research questions. It includes an extensive literature review that critically analyzes existing research to identify gaps in knowledge and justify the study. The methodology involves designing and implementing original, rigorous research methods to address complex questions and contribute new knowledge.
Final Defense
While both a thesis and a dissertation involve a final defense, they differ in scope, formality, and expectations. A thesis defense, typically lasting 1–2 hours, involves a formal defense before a faculty panel, emphasizing research understandings and findings. In contrast, a dissertation defense is a more rigorous process, often lasting 2–3 hours, where students must thoroughly defend and justify their methodology, findings, and contribution to the field.
Although these distinctions generally hold true, the specific expectations and level of formality may vary by discipline or program. Ultimately, a thesis defense is about demonstrating competence and defending your interpretations and conclusions. Conversely, a dissertation defense is about proving expertise and the validity and significance of your research.
Common Challenges and Considerations
Writing a thesis or dissertation comes with a fair share of challenges and considerations. From managing time and honing research and writing skills to navigating advisor support, each project presents its own unique set of challenges.
Time Commitment
The thesis generally takes 1–2 years, while a dissertation may require several years of dedicated research. A dissertation takes more time because it’s more extensive and original than a thesis. Not only is the research more complex, but it’s also often 200+ pages longer and involves more rounds of revisions and feedback from advisors and committee members.
Research and Writing Skills
Both projects demand strong research and writing skills, but dissertations also require advanced data analysis and theory formulation. A non-STEM thesis generally involves applying established methods and frameworks to a focused question, resulting in a shorter, literature review-driven piece. Dissertations, meanwhile, demand original research, advanced methodologies, and a more complex write-up that contributes new knowledge to the field. The depth, scope, and level of expertise needed to complete a dissertation far exceed those of a thesis.
Advisor Support
For both, regular meetings with an advisor or committee are essential, but dissertation research usually involves more advisor collaboration. Advisors at a thesis level provide more hands-on guidance, helping students refine research questions and writing. At a dissertation level, advisors act more as mentors. The feedback tends to be more high-level to encourage independent problem-solving and deeper intellectual growth.
Career Implications
There’s no getting around it, the more educated you are, the higher your earnings and the lower your chances of unemployment. This holds true when comparing earnings of master’s degree holders versus doctorate degree holders. On average, median weekly earnings are $2,206 for professional degrees, $2,109 for doctoral degrees, and $1,737 for master’s degrees.
A thesis commonly prepares students for industry roles or entry-level academic positions. It allows students to demonstrate competence in conducting research and effectively communicating findings. Completing a thesis is also useful for career advancement, enhancing credentials, entering specialized fields, or serving as a springboard for further education.
Completing a dissertation is essential for those seeking advanced academic positions, such as faculty roles in universities. Through this process, students demonstrate subject matter expertise, independence in research, and contributions to their discipline. This opens the doors to opportunities in leadership, consulting, tenure-track positions, and specialized research.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for all graduate students is generally favorable. Occupations projected to have the most openings for doctorate graduates include substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors; lawyers; nurse practitioners; and postsecondary health specialties teachers.
Conclusion
Both the thesis and dissertation are valuable components of graduate education, providing students with in-depth research experience. It is important to keep in mind that while these research projects are similar, they are distinct in their goals, scopes, and expectations.
A thesis is a shorter research paper in terms of both length and the time required to complete it. It has a narrower scope, primarily involving analyzing existing research and literature and providing fresh insights. Completing a thesis shows a student’s ability to understand and analyze existing research and clearly communicate findings.
In contrast, completing a dissertation is the highest level of academic achievement. It demands more rigor in research, analysis, and writing. Dissertations have a broader scope and require original research, which translates into a much longer writing piece and more time needed to complete it. Once finished, graduates can look for roles in leadership, consulting, research, and tenure-track academia. Understanding the differences between these two research projects helps students prepare for the academic expectations and career implications of each, supporting success in their chosen fields.
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