ABOUT THE MA THESIS
MA students may choose to complete a thesis in lieu of a final two courses. The MA thesis is an original scholarly monograph, 40 to 60 pages in length. Each student should purchase a copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th Edition) to consult as she prepares her thesis. Students may also be interested in purchasing the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd Edition), though it is not required.
Though work on the thesis may begin at any time after required course work has been completed, the thesis proposal process begins during the term in which a student completes her eighth course. The Thesis Registration Form is due by September 28.
Thesis work carries six hours of graduate credit, so students should register for six hours of English 599. A student must complete her thesis during the year in which she receives credit for ENGL 599, though it is not necessary that a student match her work process to the hours for which she has registered. (For example, a student may register for all six thesis hours during the Fall semester but will continue work on her thesis during the Spring semester.) Registering for English 599 enables a record of payment for the six hours it carries and also reflects the two-semester claim a student has on her thesis director’s time. At least three hours of English 599 must be registered for by September 28 of the year during which the student completes her eighth course, even if the student does not begin work on her thesis at that time.
MA THESIS REGISTRATION GUIDELINES AND PROCESS
The thesis proposal can be anywhere from two to five pages in length and should include:
• The topic to be studied, and a thesis statement about that topic
• An explanation of the academic significance of the topic
• An outline by chapters, including an introduction and conclusion
• A bibliography
You will begin by setting up a meeting with John Grammer to discuss whom you might choose to be your thesis director. Any professor in the School of Letters, whether present or former, can serve as your thesis director, though normally none will be able to work with more than two advisees at a time.
Now that you have received a Thesis Registration Form, you will fill it out and return it to Dr. Grammer. He assumes you have already discussed your plans with your would-be thesis director. This discussion may have been via telephone, some form of mail, or in person during the summer. Return the completed Thesis Registration Form to Dr. Grammer by September 28, and he will see that your thesis director receives and signs a copy of your Thesis Registration Form.
It is the School of Letters Director’s responsibility to appoint a second reader, but you may suggest a School of Letters faculty member for that role. The first reader will be your thesis director.
ABOUT THE MFA THESIS
All MFA students must complete a thesis. This is a substantial creative manuscript: a novel or sustained nonfiction narrative, a collection of short stories or essays, or a collection of poems. Length for the MFA thesis may be anywhere from 80 to 200 pages of prose or 40 to 50 pages of poetry. Each student should purchase a copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th Edition). Students may also be interested in purchasing the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd Edition), though it is not required.
Though work on the thesis may begin at any time after required course work has been completed, the thesis proposal process takes place during the term in which a student completes her eighth course. The Thesis Registration Form is due by September 28.
Thesis work carries six hours of graduate credit, so students should register for six hours of English 599. A student must complete her thesis during the year in which she receives credit for ENGL 599, though it is not necessary that a student match her work process to the hours for which she has registered. (For example, a student may register for all six thesis hours during the Fall semester but will continue work on her thesis during the Spring semester.) Registering for English 599 enables a record of payment for the six hours it carries and also reflects the two-semester claim a student has on her thesis director’s time. At least three hours of English 599 must be registered for by September 28 of the year during which the student completes her eighth course, even if the student does not begin work on her thesis at that time.
MFA THESIS REGISTRATION GUIDELINES AND PROCESS
The thesis proposal can be anywhere from two to five pages in length and should include:
• The genre(s) of your manuscript
• Form(s) to be undertaken (i.e., novel; collection of stories, poems or essays, etc.)
• An informal outline of pieces or chapters to be included, if applicable
You will begin by setting up a meeting with John Grammer to discuss whom you might choose to be your thesis director. Any professor in the School of Letters, whether present or former, can serve as your thesis director, though normally none will be able to work with more than two advisees at a time.
Now that you have received a Thesis Registration Form, you will fill it out and return it to Dr. Grammer. He assumes you have already discussed your plans with your would-be thesis director. This discussion may have been via telephone, some form of mail, or in person during the summer. Return the completed Thesis Registration Form to Dr. Grammer by September 28, and he will see that your thesis director receives and signs a copy of your Thesis Registration Form.
It is the School of Letters Director’s responsibility to appoint a second reader, but you may suggest a School of Letters faculty member for that role. The first reader will be your thesis director.
FORMS:
2012 MA THESIS GUIDELINES
2012 MFA THESIS GUIDELINES
Calendar:
Thesis Registration Form: July 19
Fall registration deadline: September 25
Thesis Proposal to your advisor: November 1
Spring registration deadline - January 20
Complete your draft - Prior to March 15
Director assigns 2nd reader - by March 15
Completed Draft to 2nd Reader - by April 1
Thesis Defense - by April 20
Graduation - May 11 and 12
Advisor Signature on Title Page - Sept 1
Printed Thesis copies to Sewanee - Sept 1