The Executive Committee of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) annually solicits for nominations for the MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis Awards to recognize and reward distinguished scholarship and research at the master’s level. Each member of MAGS may nominate one candidate for the award in each disciplinary category.
MAGS is currently soliciting for nominations for the 2027 competition. Internal applications are due to the Graduate School no later than 4pm on November 8, 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible students
- will have earned a master's degree between July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026 in the fields of:
- Social Sciences
- Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering
- will have completed an original thesis that makes an unusually significant contribution to the discipline
- will not have earned a PhD (or comparable research degree) in any discipline prior to the writing of the master’s thesis
Each department, school, or college may nominate one candidate for either or both of the eligible fields. Each unit may determine its own selection method for its nominee.
The 2028 competition will seek nominees in the fields of humanities and biological and life sciences.
Nomination
Each department, school, or college may nominate one eligible student in each disciplinary category. The department chair, school head, or college dean will submit to the Graduate School:
- A link from Digital Commons of the nominated thesis that includes the significance of the research.
- A support letter from the advisor. The support letter must include a space labeled for the Associate Provost of Graduate Education's signature. If the nominee is chosen, the Graduate School will have the Associate Provost sign the letter.
Nomination packets are due by 4pm, November 8, 2026 to the Graduate School's submission form. Eligible students with a complete nomination packet will be evaluated by a panel from the University.
Award
Recipients of the MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award will receive:
- A $750 honorarium.
- Travel expenses to attend the Annual Meeting.
The faculty mentor or thesis advisor will also be invited to attend the presentation ceremony.