Course content

The Master thesis is an independent scientific study of a topic chosen by the student.
It is expected to be maximum 100 pages long (12 point Times New Roman and 1.5 line space).The thesis can also be written as a selection of articles (for more information, please contact the department). The department of Social work and Health science (ISH) appoints one of the teaching staff as an advisor, after the student has submitted an application. Supervision is a very important part of working with a Master thesis. It ensures that the student has the necessary knowledge, and it also has a necessary control function during the collection and use of data. Supervision is therefore a compulsory part of the study. Usually, one should apply for a supervisor as soon as the topic of the thesis has more or less been decided. The department also arranges seminars that are designed to help students with their theses. Further advice and guidance for the writing of a Master thesis and the final exam is to be found in “Studieveiledning for mastergrad i sosialt arbeid”, which can be obtained from the department (ISH) or found on the department’s web pages.
A Master's thesis in Norwegian language must have a short summary in English, and an English thesis must have a short summary in Norwegian.
SARB3900 is the final exam in Social Work, and the students sign up for the exam on Studentweb and also on the department’s own form, available at the department (ISH) and Studentservice. The form, along with a pdf file and 6 printed copies of the thesis must be submitted to the department’s office. (If NTNU-Trykk is chosen, the department will cover the printing expenses for 6 copies of the thesis. If one chooses otherwise, the student must cover the expenses). A period of approximately 8 weeks must be allowed for, after the submitting of the thesis, until the final exam can be held.
The thesis is to be delivered by May 15 (spring semester) or November 1st (autumn semester) the semester defined as the last semester in the student's individual Education plan.
If the student submits the thesis after 15th May during the spring semester, or after 1st November during the autumn semester, the final exam will usually take place in the following semester.

Learning outcome

To give students experience in planning, performing and reporting an individual scientific study. The study is done under supervision to ensure that the students later will be able to perform scientific studies/research on their own.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching method and activities: Supervision, master seminar.
Compulsory activity: All exams that constitute the Master degree in Social work must be completed and passed successfully before submitting a Master thesis. The requirements of participating at the Master seminars must be fulfilled.
Form of assessment: The Master thesis, a presentation of the thesis in the form of a lecture (approximately 30 minutes) and an oral exam.
The presentation and the oral exam are meant to adjust the grade on the Master thesis, with no more than one grade, either up or down, on the scale.

Compulsory assignments

• Professional advice
• One compulsory master seminar

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

See formal requirements.

Required previous knowledge

Only students admitted to the Master’s degree in Social Work may submit the thesis.

Credit reductions