Learning & Development Resources

 

Three Minute Thesis

2026 3MT Competition

An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit...3 minutes
3mt logo 2024

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland.

The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of students’ capacities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

Master’s and Doctoral students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation topic and its significance. 3MT™ is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but forces students to consolidate their ideas and crystallize their research discoveries.

2026 3MT Competition Registration Form

3MT Competition Registration and Dates

  • 3MT Deadline: March 24th at 5 p.m.
  • Slide Submission Deadline: March 27th at 5 p.m.
  • Submit Slides to: gradcollege@kennesaw.edu
  • Event Date and Time: April 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
  • Location: HS 1105 - Prillaman Health Sciences Building
  • Reception Following Competition: HS 1101 - Indoor Plaza

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled master's and doctoral students at Kennesaw State University will be eligible to participate.
  • Students that have already graduated are not eligible.
  • Students should have key results in their presentation; thesis or dissertation should be mostly complete.
  • Two levels of judging:
    • Dissertation Students
    • Thesis Students
  • Communication style: was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience? did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes? did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
  • Comprehension: did the presentation help the audience understand the research? did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
  • Engagement: did the presentation make the audience want to know more? Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research? Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention? Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation? i.e was it clear, legible, and concise

Panel of Judges

  • Dr. James Artemus - Principal Scrum Master at AT&T and KSU Adjunct Professor
  • Dr. Amy Buddie – Executive Director, Office of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology at KSU
  • Mr. David Baugher – Retired Senior Assistant Dean, KSU Graduate College, and MPA Alum
  • Tracy Gaudlip – Marketing and Communications Specialist, KSU Graduate College
  • Chris Kibbe - Director, KSU Graduate Admissions
  • Adam Rife - Financial Consultant and KSU Alum

Awards*

  • 1st Place  $1,000
  • 2nd Place  $750
  • Peoples Choice $350

    *Awards are subject to taxes.

  • A single static PowerPoint slid is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or “movement’ of any description are allowed.
  • The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No Additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs)
  • Presentation are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when the presenter starts presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Kennesaw Campus:

Marietta Campus:

Virtual:

Preparation Resources

Research Travel Award

Graduate students seeking to attend domestic virtual or in-person professional conferences to present research during the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible for consideration for one award.*

The Graduate College will award funds up to a maximum of $800 (virtual, max. $300 for conference fees only). The award provides funding for presenting original research at conferences. The amounts will be determined based on the conference's nature. 

*International travel requests will not be awarded.

 

 
ksu student preparing to travel aboard studies

 

Students who wish to apply must submit the complete packet, with all attachments to gradcollegeforms@kennesaw.edu.

  1. A completed travel application.
  2. Signature and brief written support from program
  3. Attach all required materials.  

Incomplete packets may not be considered. Please collect and attach all required materials prior to submitting. A checklist on the application will help ensure you know what to submit. 

Additional travel authorization documents may be required per Kennesaw State Policy.

  • The Graduate College will award funds up to a maximum of $800.
  • All required documents must be submitted two months prior to your conference.
  • Applications submitted by the 15th of each month will be reviewed at the end of the month. Applications sent in after the 15th deadline will be reviewed the next month but may not be funded.
  • Application approval notifications will be emailed to the student the first week of each month.
  • Funds are available and will be disbursed based on conference type, availability of other funding (e.g., from department or academic college, and recommendation of faculty and/or program director).

Please review and confirm your eligibility prior to submitting.

Graduate students who apply for this award must meet the following eligibility criteria during the semester when the fund will be used.

  • Be in Good Standing (minimum institutional GPA of 3.0)
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours OR enrolled in thesis/dissertation hours
  • Submit a one-page summary of research and statement on the benefits of attending conference for successful completion of their graduate degree
  • Submit acceptance and/or evidence of submission materials (note for submissions, an acceptance letter/email must be submitted prior to travel)
  • Note that no more than two student authors on the project or presentation can be eligible to receive a Graduate College award.

Before You Travel

Please review the additional student travel resources below. Students will be required to meet University requirements prior to travel. Forms should be submitted to gradcollegeforms@kennesaw.edu

NOTE: GRAs/GTAs are employees of the University and approval of their travel is administered as such (although their travel is not processed through Concur).  Authorization and payment for non-employee student travel is limited.

After You Travel

Submit the reimbursement documents below to your program’s office manager for payment and send the completed, signed packet to Shana Hill at shill93@kennesaw.edu .

If you did not receive travel funds from your program, send the reimbursement documents listed above to gradcollegeforms@kennesaw.edu for payment within 10 days of the conference completion. Reimbursement requests submitted after this time may not be awarded.

 

 

CETL Graduate Student Professional Development

Asynchronous Trainings

Doctoral Completion Stipend

We are pleased to announce the opportunity for doctoral students to apply for Doctoral Completion Stipend aimed at supporting the completion of their dissertation research and subsequent publication submissions.

  • Application Submission Deadline: September 28, 2026
  • Decision Notification to Students: October 16, 2026


Stipends are not submitted for payment until the student defends their dissertation and any revisions are completed.