MRP Process (2024 and earlier)

Students in the Major Research Paper (MRP) stream are required to complete five (5) core courses, one (1) elective and the MRP. See the full requirements in the Graduate Calendar.

If you are writing an MRP and have completed your courses, register for CJPP*6660 Major Research Paper. You are allowed to register your courses until the end of the "add" period. Check the Schedule of Dates for relevant deadlines.

A major research paper should be approximately 40-60 double-spaced pages (with about 250 words per page). If you are writing an MRP, you choose an advisor and a second member of the advisory committee in the same way a thesis student does.

Unlike a thesis, there is no oral defense for an MRP. For an MRP, the two members of the committee will jointly decide on a grade.

Proposal Stage

MRP students are required to write a research proposal that is approximately 20 double-spaced pages (about 250 words per page).

Before beginning your proposal, it is important to sit down with your advisor to discuss particular content and length requirements and to discuss more detailed specifics about the proposal. It is expected that you will have a draft of your proposal submitted to your advisory committee before the start of the spring semester.

Discuss appropriate timelines with your advisor to ensure that this occurs. After that, you will meet with your committee to discuss ways to strengthen your proposal.

When your committee has approved your proposal, they will sign a proposal approval form (available from the graduate program assistant). The graduate coordinator will also review this research proposal and sign the approval form. At this time, you are ready to proceed with your research.

A copy of your proposal and the signed approval form should be given to the graduate program assistant for your file.

Developing & Submitting Your MRP

It is very important to remain in close contact with your advisor (and committee member as appropriate) when working on your MRP. Be disciplined in managing your time and working on researching and writing your project.

You should anticipate having to submit multiple revisions of material, so it is important not to underestimate the amount of time it will take you to produce a finished product.

Your MRP advisors will determine when your paper is ready for a final submission. Your advisory committee is required to thoroughly review and comment on drafts of written material and to provide feedback to guide you in satisfactory completion of the work.

Advisory committee members are required to inform you of the approximate time it will take for submitted written material to be returned with comments. If the expected time exceeds the normal two-week turnaround, advisory committee members must provide you and your advisor with an estimate of the time required.

You are responsible for learning about all appropriate deadlines and regulations associated with registration and graduation requirements. Aim to complete your MRP well in advance of the deadline.

The Finishing Touches

When all your work is complete, the department chair will sign and submit a Recommendation for Graduation form to OGPS.

The CJPP program does not require a hard copy of your MRP, but please email a digital copy to the graduate program assistant.

When you are ready to graduate, submit the Application to Graduate form and, if you are eligible, an Early Completion Rebate form.