Non-Traditional Theses

1. Consult Early and Strategically

• Supervisor: Confirm early support for your proposed approach and discuss how your committee can meaningfully support both the substance and format of your work.
• Graduate Program: Ensure your project is clearly aligned with your program’s academic goals, expectations, and can be appropriately assessed within program standards.
• Campus Units and Peers: Seek examples, guidelines, or mentorship to help refine your project design or explore options if your vision is still developing.
• Library: Librarians can help you find local and external examples, understand and plan for research impact, documentation practices, and support sustainable digital preservation and access plans.

2. Assess Project Fit and Feasibility

• Consider whether your methodology and format meet the scholarly merit and rigour expected in your discipline.
• Reflect on how your project supports your academic or professional aspirations and how you want your work to be adjudicated.
• Ensure you can realistically complete the project within timelines without undue strain.
• Identify and address any internal or external barriers to feasibility.
• Confirm that sufficient resources and support are available to deliver the project you envision.

3. Document and Reflect Throughout

• Maintain a journal or notes to track your research process, creative decisions, challenges, and learning outcomes.
• Regularly reflect on key adaptations or shifts to strengthen your work over time.