Ways to complete your graduate degree

Graduate degree completion options

There's more than one way to complete a graduate degree.

At Royal Roads, graduate programs are designed to be applied, flexible and aligned with your professional goals. Depending on your program, you may complete your degree through different types of final projects, from applied research and professional papers to larger research projects or a thesis.

Each option allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned while exploring a topic that matters to your field, your organization or your career.

An RRU student stands in front of her academic poster and engages in conversation

Apply your learning to real-world challenges

Short paper

Critically review and synthesize research literature to address a professional practice problem. Apply research insights to real-world challenges in your field.

Research paper

Complete an independent research project that explores a specific question or issue relevant to your field. Analyze your findings and demonstrate your understanding of the research and theory.

Major Research Project

Explore a professional or practical issue under the supervision of a faculty member. Typically completed over one year, the project allows you to integrate theories and practices from your program. Your final work may include a written paper or another approved knowledge product.

Pursue formal academic research

Thesis

Identify a research question, analyze existing knowledge or data and present findings within an academic research framework. The final thesis should provide evidence of independent and critical thinking that combines a summary of theoretical and empirical information and/or recommendations for further action.

To conduct a thesis, you must apply for permission from your program area before registering in the thesis course.

Dissertation

As a doctoral student, you'll complete a dissertation as the final requirement of your program.

After completing candidacy exams and the proposal stage, you’ll conduct independent research that must make a distinct interdisciplinary contribution to applied scholarship. The final dissertation should demonstrate a high degree of original work and understanding and knowledge in the topic area.

Dissertations include a written document and an oral defence.