Thesis Requirements
MFA Students
The thesis is the capstone project for the MFA candidate. All students must complete one to graduate the program. 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 is 80-200 pages of prose or 40-50 pages of poetry.
Work on the thesis begins after the required 24 credit hours of course work has been completed. The thesis is written under the supervision of an advisor, chosen by the candidate and appointed by the Director of the School of Letters. Students will work independently with their thesis advisor. The second reader is appointed by the Director. When the thesis has been completed and conditionally approved, the candidate for the degree will be in a one-hour conference with the advisor and second reader.
The final, revised, formatted and printed thesis is submitted to the University Library. Information about thesis submission can be found in the 2024-2025 Preparing the Thesis and Submitting the Thesis Instructions below.
Thesis Course
ENGL 599
MFA candidates will be enrolled in ENGL 599 for 6 credit hours, normally in the fall or spring following their final summer. They also have the option to work during a summer semester. After discussion with the director, students will be registered for six credit hours. Tuition will be billed at the same rate as the previous summer for the following fall and spring semesters.
2024 - 2025 Thesis Calendar
Fall (August 28, 2024 - December 11, 2024):
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Choose thesis advisor - NOW. Advisors must be submitted to the director by July 12, 2024.
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You will be registered by the Registrar's Office by the first day of classes.
- You will be responsible for creating a submission and conference schedule with your advisor.
- The second reader must have 3 weeks to read your manuscript.
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Conference Deadline – No later than Dec. 21, 2024. Grades due Dec. 21.
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Final copy submitted to the library - by May 1, 2025
Spring (January 13, 2025 - APRIL 30, 2025):
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Choose thesis advisor - NOW. Advisors must be submitted to the director by July 12, 2024.
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You will be registered by the Registrar's Office by the first day of classes.
- You will be responsible for creating a submission and conference schedule with your advisor.
- The second reader must have 3 weeks to read your manuscript.
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Conference Deadline – No later than May 14, 2025. Grades due May 14.
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Final copy due to the library - by Sept. 1, 2025
SUMMER (June 9, 2025 - JULY 19, 2025):
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Choose thesis advisor - NOW. Advisors must be submitted to the director by July 12, 2024.
-
You will be registered by the Registrar's Office by the first day of classes.
- You will be responsible for creating a submission and conference schedule with your advisor.
- The second reader must have 3 weeks to read your manuscript.
-
Conference Deadline – No later than August 31, 2025. Grades due August 31.
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Final copy due to the library - by January 4, 2026
