Thesis

The Thesis is the capstone of a Kettering education. It serves as definitive proof that a student has mastered the real-world skills needed to bridge the gap between the classroom and a professional career. All Kettering University baccalaureate programs require completing a thesis. The Senior Thesis is a professional document that describes a comprehensive project managed and executed by the student. The project is generally performed for the student’s co-op employer (Co-op Thesis); however, with employer permission, the student is eligible to pursue another option for their thesis: Research Thesis project (with degree program faculty) or Entrepreneurship Thesis project (a comprehensive business plan based on a student idea for a new business, new product, etc.), or the Alternative Undergraduate Thesis Project (AUTP, which includes a literature review and explores both academic and co-op experiences developing their technical application and is in place for students who have exhausted other thesis options).

The thesis is an academic requirement, taking approximately 240 hours to complete the objectives of the project work and additional time to write the thesis manuscript. The focus of this project may be a product, a system, the creation of a comprehensive business plan, the investigation and experimentation of a new idea, etc. Students become eligible to begin work on the thesis once their CILE 400- Thesis Initiation Course registration has been added (Typically in the JR II work term). CILE 400 introduces the thesis through an online introductory assignment accessible during their JR II co-op term upon earning 72 credit hours. Four (4) credit hours are awarded upon completion of the thesis, and the student will earn a grade of pass with distinction or pass upon faculty approval of a Kettering standardized written thesis manuscript.

NOTE: Students encountering difficulties in completing their thesis, including those who have met all other graduation requirements, are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center - Thesis Office (SSC - Thesis Office) for advising at thesis@kettering.edu.

Thesis Options and Finding a Thesis Topic

Students are responsible for determining their thesis topic and type. They are encouraged to discuss thesis topic ideas with their employers and faculty to ensure it will meet the required University learning outcomes.

NOTE: If the student cannot secure a thesis project through their co-op employer, with the employer's approval provided to the SSC - Thesis Office, the student can pursue one of the non-co-op thesis options.

Co-op Thesis

A topic idea for the Co-op Thesis project is determined by the employer and student; a project that the company needs to be performed; and a topic that is of value to the employer. The student manages the project from start to finish and performs the majority of the work. The student is required to complete and submit a thesis topic proposal (Student Thesis Module 2 of 4) in Kettering Connect to obtain topic approval before beginning the work for the thesis. Upon submission, the thesis topic proposal is electronically forwarded to the student's co-op Employer contact and degree department for evaluation.

Research Thesis

The Research Thesis focuses on conducting research (most often) on campus with a Kettering faculty member. It is an opportunity for the senior student to apply their academic and co-op experience to investigate and experiment with new ideas. Usually, the topic is provided by a Kettering faculty member in the student's degree department. The student must complete and submit the Research Thesis Proposal (Student Thesis Module 2 of 4), available in the Kettering Connect software tool. The projects are limited, and students are selected based on their expertise matching the project scope. For more information, students should contact their degree Department Head or appointed Thesis Administrator within their degree department.

Entrepreneurship Thesis

The Entrepreneurship Thesis focuses on a student-generated idea. An applicant for an Entrepreneurship (E-ship) Thesis project will formalize a comprehensive business plan to secure funding for the establishment and/or expansion of a new or existing operating venture. The student must complete and submit the E-ship Thesis Proposal (Student Module 2 of 4) form available in Blackboard by requesting access to thesis@kettering.edu. Upon submission, the proposal is evaluated by the School of Management. Upon approval, the student is notified via e-mail of their assigned SBDC advisor in the Small Business Development Center (located on campus and funded through the State of Michigan), their Faculty Thesis Advisor, and their acceptance to begin work on the project.

NOTE:Students who have exhausted all efforts to identify a thesis topic are encouraged to contact the SSC - Thesis Office.

Alternative Undergraduate Thesis Project (AUTP)

The AUTP is a thesis option that students may apply for if they are unable to pursue a co-op thesis and other thesis options are not feasible. This thesis option is available for students who still have outstanding academic requirements or who have been separated from the University for more than 1 year and do not have a co-op thesis to complete. NOTE: The requirements for the AUTP will vary slightly depending on the date of the students’ last academic term.

Students who are interested in this option should email thesis@kettering.edu to learn more.

Culminating Reflection Project (Alternative Thesis Project)

The Culminating Reflection Project was developed in response to disrupted thesis projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Culminating Reflection Project comprises three distinct and diverse experiences from the student’s college career. The project asks the student to reflect upon how these experiences contributed to their growth and development.

NOTE: This thesis option will be sunset on 12/19/2026. No new students will be approved to use this thesis option after that date. The University will honor any active CRPs through 12/16//2028.

Student Process

Students will be acclimated to the thesis during their Junior II co-op term through an online introductory assignment. Upon topic approval through completion, students will have two advisors who will serve as mentors. The manuscript will be assessed by the student's Faculty Thesis Advisor; additionally, for Research Thesis, Entrepreneurship, and Alternative Undergraduate Thesis Project Thesis students, the Committee Member will review the manuscript. If the co-op employer deems the thesis confidential, Kettering has a standardized Confidential Thesis Agreement available in Blackboard–all Confidential Thesis Agreements must be submitted once the proposal has been approved and before any official work begins on the thesis project. Students must complete four University thesis modules through their thesis experience, including Thesis Introductory Assignment in Blackboard - Module 1, Thesis Topic Proposal - Module 2, Thesis Progress Report - Module 3, and Thesis Manuscript Submission - Module 4.

Registration

Students who achieve Junior II standing (72 credit hours) will be automatically registered for the Thesis Introductory Assignment (Student Thesis Module 1 of 4), CILE 400. Additionally, upon completion of the thesis, the SSC - Thesis Office will submit a final passing grade to the Office of the Registrar, and the 2nd thesis registration (CILE 401- Thesis Completion) is posted to the student’s record to reflect the four credits earned.

If a student wishes to begin their thesis early, they must submit their request to thesis@kettering.edu where they will be asked to provide additional information. Early access is determined by a number of factors including but not limited to overall GPA, current class standing, employment status, etc.

Additional University Policies to Encourage Completion of Thesis Requirement:

Active/Not Enrolled Registration (Thesis Extension Terms) - Students who do not complete their thesis requirement by the end of their last academic term are enrolled in their first active/not enrolled term (thesis extension term). At the end of the four extension terms, if the student’s thesis remains unfinished, they will be separated from the University. Students will be notified by the Office of the Registrar via their Kettering email that they have begun their extension terms, and it is their responsibility to track when those four terms will expire.
Academic Completion of Overdue Co-op Thesis - Students may complete an overdue Co-op Thesis to meet their thesis requirement. The Faculty Thesis Advisor will review the student’s written thesis manuscript for academic completion. It is due to one of the following reasons: The sponsoring Co-op Employer no longer supports the thesis and makes a determination not to sign off on the thesis (official co-op employer required to the SSC – Thesis Office), or one year has passed since the last day of the student’s last academic term.
All But Thesis (ABT) - Students who are ABT have completed all requirements except their thesis. For students who do not complete their thesis by the end of their final academic term, there are 4 thesis extension terms available beyond that term to complete it.
Readmission for Thesis Completion - Students who have been approved for readmission will have 2 terms to complete their thesis upon readmission. Readmission applications for ABT students will be accepted until the second week Friday of the current term. Applications received after that date will be readmitted in the following term. For information on how to begin this process, students should email thesis@kettering.edu.
- Students who have been separated must complete an Application for Readmission following a required meeting with the SSC-Thesis Office. Students will be directed to finish an incomplete thesis or pursue the Alternative Undergraduate Thesis Project.

For more information about the Kettering University Thesis Program, please contact thesis@kettering.edu.