Definitions

The key person(s) in a graduate student's program and to whom the student consults with and reports to regarding program progress. In most cases, the Advisor refers to the student's supervisor; however, depending on the graduate program and progress in the program, the Advisor may vary. 

Program-specific definitions for Advisor

​Master of Arts:
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.
- For Economics majors, the Department Chair until a supervisor is determined by the end of the first academic term of study. 

Master of Counselling (Professional Portfolio route):
- The  Graduate Studies & Research in Education Office

Master of Counselling (Project  route):
- The  Graduate Studies & Research in Education Office until the student declares the Project as culminating activity and the Supervisory Committee is approved.
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established

Master of Education (Capstone routes): 
- The  Graduate Studies & Research in Education Office.

Master of Education (Project and Thesis routes): 
- The  Graduate Studies & Research in Education Office until the student declares the Project or Thesis as culminating activity and the Supervisory Committee is approved.
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Master of Fine Arts: 
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Master of Health Services Management 
Graduate Program Office

Master of Music
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Master of Nursing (Project route) 
Graduate Program Office until end of second academic term when student declares Project as culminating activity
- Final Project instructor whhen the Project is declared as culminating activity

Master of Nursing (Thesis route)
- Graduate Program Office until end of second academic term when student declares Thesis as culminating activity
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Master of Science
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Master of Science (Management)
Graduate Program Office until supervisor is determined no later than the end of the first academic term of study 
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

Doctor of Philosophy
- Supervisor / Supervisory Committee once established.

For each graduate program, or appropriate group of graduate programs or majors, there is a Graduate Program Committee (GPC), acting on delegated authority from Graduate Council, for general supervision of the program. See the School of Graduate Studies Governing Principles for details.

For program-related assistance, all graduate students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to contact the appropriate graduate program office (e.g., School of Graduate Studies Office, Graduate Studies & Research in Education, Dhillon School of Business Graduate Programs Office). See the School of Graduate Studies website for details.

A project is generally intended as an application to an existing methodology or procedure. Often, people will use the project as a demonstration or as an implementation of something that does not currently exist in their system. Thus, it is more practice oriented, even though it still must have a solid grounding in the literature. Students engage in systematic inquiry of a topic relevant to their educational practice. This inquiry is grounded in theory and research. Methods of inquiry may be qualitative and/or quantitative.

A thesis is theory oriented and begins with the posing of a question that will in some way contribute to the building or validating of theory. Considerable depth is expected in the review of literature, the application of a discipline and clearly described methodology for dealing with the research question, a thorough description of the results of the work (both descriptive and connotational), a synthesis of the research findings with extant literature, and implications of the research for both theory and practice.

 Program-specific definitions of Thesis

Master of Arts: Thesis manuscript

Master of Counselling (Project route): Project Paper

Master of Counselling (Portfolio route): Portfolio

Master of Education (Project route): Project Paper

Master of Education (Thesis route): Thesis manuscript

Master of Education (Capstone route): Capstone Paper and presentation

Master of Fine Arts: Research Project and Support Paper

Master of Health Services Management: Integrated Experience Point Project

Master of Music: Research Project/lecture recital and Thesis

Master of Nursing (Project route): Project Paper

Master of Nursing (Thesis route): Thesis manuscript

Master of Science: Thesis manuscript

Master of Science (Management): Thesis manuscript

Doctor of Philosophy: Thesis manuscript

Doctor of Philosophy (Education): Thesis manuscript