This’ required to obtain college degrees, ultimately? (6)
I believe the answer is:
thesis
'college degrees ultimately?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'this' required to obtain' is the wordplay.
'required' becomes 'es' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to obtain' indicates putting letters inside.
'this' enclosing 'es' is 'THESIS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for thesis that I've seen before include "Dissertation - idea" , "Student dissertation" , "Proposition" , "Subject" , "research paper" .)