Checklist - Recreation and Leisure Studies (MA - thesis)

1. Register as an active student every term (Fall, Winter, and Spring) by arranging payment of your tuition fees. Inactive registration is exceptional for medical reasons or other temporary obligations. If you do request inactive status, you must seek approval from your supervisor, the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies. Requests for inactive status will not always be approved.

If you fail to register for any term, you are automatically withdrawn from your program. Readmission is not guaranteed, and if granted, requires payment of fees for the term(s) you dropped out.  If you are readmitted, you will be required to register for a minimum of one term without a tuition refund.

2. Complete academic integrity milestones (these milestones are required by the University and must be completed before a student can graduate).

Milestone 1: Through your LEARN account, complete the online Academic Integrity Tutorial (to be taken within 8 weeks of starting program).

Milestone 2: AHS Academic Integrity Workshop (normally held in September).

3. Meet with your supervisor to discuss individualized program of study including selection of appropriate courses.

4. Complete a minimum of 5 courses.

• REC 600 Integrative Seminar in Recreation and Leisure Studies
• REC 662 Foundations of Quantitative Inquiry
• REC 663 Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry
• One of REC 672 Quantitative Research Data Analysis and Interpretation OR REC 673 Designing Advanced Qualitative Inquiry
• One graduate level elective

Note:

Students who have not completed an undergraduate level research methods or analysis course are highly recommended to take either REC 371 (quantitative research) or REC 373 (qualitative research) for audit or credit.

5. In consultation with your supervisor, select a thesis topic and your thesis committee (normally this will be one committee member in addition to your Supervisor).

6. Complete, have signed and submit a MA/PhD Thesis Topic and Supervisor Form.

7. Prepare a thesis proposal in close consultation with your supervisor. You may also want to consult with members of your supervisory committee.

8. Schedule an oral defence of your proposal at least one month in advance.

• Arrange a time and date acceptable to your committee
• Book a room on Outlook Calendar or through the AHS Receptionist. 
• Your Master's proposal must be on display at least one week before the defence.
• Obtain and submit a copy of the Master's proposal and defence notification form form to the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator at least one week prior to the proposal.
• Distribute bound copies of your proposal to your committee and the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator
• The Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator will distribute the notice (when informed by you of date, time, etc.).

9. Pass oral proposal defence and make necessary modifications, if applicable (proposal to be on display for one week before defence).

10. Obtain approval for thesis research from the Office of Research Ethics (if appropriate).

11. Submit application for research support funding to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies if needed (maximum of $200).

12. Conduct thesis research and write up results in close consultation with your supervisor. Several drafts and rewriting are to be expected.

13. Submit original receipts and expense claim form for research support funding to the Department Administrator.

14. In consultation with your supervisor, identify a final reader of the thesis.

15. Schedule final defence

• Arrange a time and date acceptable to your committee and inform the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator.
• Book a room on Outlook Calendar or through the AHS Receptionist.
• Your final thesis must be on display at least two weeks before the defence.
• Obtain and submit a copy of the Master's Thesis Defence Notification form to the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator at least two weeks prior to the defence.
• Distribute bound copies of your thesis to the committee and the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator.
• The Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator will distribute the notice (when informed by you of date, time, etc.).

16. Pass final oral defence.

• Make final modifications to thesis to approval of committee.

17. Complete the application to graduate on Quest.

• Upload final thesis to online UW Space
• Remove belongings from graduate student desk and leave file cabinet key in the top drawer
• Return fob to Department Administrator
• Forward your @uwaterloo.ca email to another email address to ensure you continue to receive your messages

18. Attend convocation and celebrate! More information about convocation can be found on the Registrar's Office Graduation and Convocation website.

• Plan to attend the pre-convocation reception in the AHS foyer

19. Connect with the Alumni Office and keep in touch. We'd love to hear what you're up to post-graduation!