The main differences between a dissertation and a master’s thesis are that a dissertation is written for a doctoral program and covers original research, whereas a master’s thesis is written for a master’s program and usually does not require original research. Both projects are major research papers that fulfill degree completion requirements.

No matter what your field or specialty is, earning a graduate degree can be an attractive option, potentially preparing you for advanced career opportunities. In fact, for some professionals, earning a graduate degree is a requirement. A graduate degree program nurtures intellectual development and provides opportunities for acquiring specialized knowledge and skills in your field.^{(See disclaimer 1)} 

If you’ve decided that earning a master’s degree and/or doctoral degree is the right choice for you, then you’ll want to take a closer look at the differences between a dissertation vs. thesis.

A thesis is an academic paper completed near the end of a student’s course of study for a master’s degree program. Most, but not all master’s degrees require the completion of a thesis for graduation. Some bachelor’s degree programs even require students to write an undergraduate thesis, which is typically shorter and less in-depth than a master’s degree thesis.

To write a master’s thesis, students select a reasonably narrow topic of interest in their field. For example, if you’re earning a degree in nutrition science, you might examine the effects of varying compositions of pre-game meals on athletic performance. 

The next step is to conduct an in-depth review of existing research on your topic. You would then formulate an academic argument or thesis statement (for example, that high-carbohydrate pre-game meals are advantageous for endurance athletes) and use the existing research to prove your assertion. 

A thesis is typically structured in a relatively rigid format, depending on the policies of the university and the individual department. The following components are often required: 

1. Title page
2. Abstract (summary)
3. Table of contents
4. Table of figures/maps
5. Body, typically divided into chapters
6. Conclusion/results

Thesis Example

You’ll work with an academic advisor or professor to develop a strong thesis statement and research paper. When crafting your thesis statement, think about why the topic matters and why the issue is worth addressing. What’s at stake for the affected demographic or audience?

Your thesis statement should not be descriptive in nature, but rather an arguable assertion that you’ll then expand upon by exploring the body of knowledge in the field.

What is a thesis statement like? A few examples of thesis statements include:

• A four-day work week boosts productivity among office workers.
• Cyberbullying and cyberstalking increase depression and anxiety among middle and high school students.
• Patients who are “prescribed” daily vegetables have lower rates of diabetes and heart disease.

Your thesis statement is important because it shapes the entirety of the research paper.

Like a thesis, a dissertation is a major research paper. Compared to a master’s thesis, however, a dissertation is: 

• Written for a doctoral program
• Requires conducting original research
• Requires an oral defense, known as the dissertation defense 

The goal of a dissertation is not only to prove the student’s own knowledge and skills but also to add to the existing body of knowledge in their field. Completed and accepted dissertations are typically published and available to the public.

Students may present a new model or hypothesis in their field or present research disproving a previously presented theory. Alternatively, they may tackle a new angle, taking the established research in a new direction.

The traditional process for earning a doctoral degree is to take doctoral-level graduate courses, complete the qualifying exams (“quals” or “comps”) and then write the dissertation. However, there are exceptions to this.

At some universities, such as Grand Canyon University, the dissertation process is integrated into the coursework. This allows students to get a jumpstart on their research while working toward the completion of their course requirements.

Regardless of when it starts, the process of writing a dissertation begins in a way that is similar to the process for a master’s thesis. Students research their topic and then conduct a literature review, which is a thorough analysis of the existing research on that topic. From there, students can work on developing a new hypothesis, challenging a previously established theory or finding a new angle on an existing theory. 

What is a dissertation like? The structure and format of a dissertation depends on the policies and requirements of the university and the doctoral candidate’s department. In general, however, dissertations include the following:

1. Title page
2. Acknowledgements
3. Abstract
4. Table of contents
5. Introduction
6. Literature review and theoretical framework
7. Methodology
8. Findings
9. Discussion of findings (interpretation, analysis and applications)
10. Conclusion
11. Reference list
12. Appendices

After completing the dissertation, the student schedules their dissertation defense. A successful defense results in an accepted dissertation and a conferred doctoral degree.

The dissertation defense is often one of the most intimidating aspects of the doctoral degree program. However, students work closely with their selected committees throughout the dissertation process. This means you can rest assured that if your committee has allowed your work to proceed to the point of the dissertation defense, then it already fulfills certain academic quality standards.

After developing a basic understanding of what’s required for these research projects, you may find it helpful to see a breakdown of the main differences between a dissertation vs. master’s thesis.

Despite the differences, there are some similarities between a dissertation and a thesis. Both require intensive research and the completion of a lengthy paper comprised of original writing.

In addition, both projects typically require the following: 

• The skillful defense of an academic argument
• Analytical reasoning and critical thinking
• In-depth expertise about the subject area
• A significant investment of time
• A willingness to rewrite and edit based on feedback from professors, peers or committee members

Another similarity is the committee. All doctoral degree students work with a committee comprised of faculty members, advisors and similar professionals who guide the student’s research and writing. It’s also customary for students writing a master’s thesis to have a committee, although the committee is typically smaller.

In both thesis and dissertation committees, the committee chair or advisor is the primary point of contact for the student. The chair is the person who is most closely involved with shaping the direction of the student’s research, academic arguments and writing.

For both types of degree programs, the master’s thesis or dissertation is a requirement to graduate with the degree. It is typically considered the capstone project.

Before applying to a master’s or doctoral program, you may wish to explore the answers to some common questions about theses and dissertations.

• Is a master’s thesis or dissertation harder? A dissertation is generally considered more challenging than a master’s thesis, as it requires original research and a lengthier research paper.
• How long is a master’s thesis vs. a dissertation? Individual research papers can vary in length. A master’s thesis might be about 40 to 100 pages long, while a dissertation might be 100 to 300 pages long or even longer.
• Do all graduate programs require a thesis or dissertation? Not all master’s degrees require a thesis. Some may have other types of capstone projects. It’s typical for doctoral degrees to require a dissertation. A professional doctorate, such as a Juris Doctor (JD), may not require one.
• Is a dissertation required for a master’s degree? No, if a master’s degree requires a capstone research project, it will be a thesis, not a dissertation.
• Can you graduate without writing a thesis? It’s possible to earn a master’s degree without writing a thesis if the program you choose does not require it. Instead, you may complete a different type of capstone project.
• How do you choose between a thesis and non-thesis master’s track? Consider your career goals and academic interests when choosing a master’s degree that’s right for you. A thesis master’s track may be more challenging, but potentially more meaningful as it enables you to take a deep dive into industry-related research.
• What is the difference between a thesis and dissertation in the US vs. other countries? Other countries may use these terms differently. In the UK, for example, a thesis is the term for a research project for both a doctoral degree and an undergraduate program, and a dissertation is the research project for a master’s degree.^{(See disclaimer 2)} 

Grand Canyon University offers a wide range of master's and doctoral degree programs to choose from in fields ranging from business to education and beyond. Our doctoral programs integrate the dissertation process into the coursework, so students can get started on their research sooner. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about earning your graduate degree at GCU.