A. Coursework: 45 semester hours, which must include …

1. 21-24 hours of work in writing, of which:

a. 12-15 may be taken in any combination of the following courses, provided at least two of the courses are taken: Fiction Workshop, Poetry Workshop, Nonfiction (Article and Essay) Workshop (the four workshops in writing may be repeated for credit), Writing Seminar.

b. 9-12 hours devoted to writing a creative thesis.

c. Graduate workshops in other units at FSU may also count toward the total if preapproved by the ACGS.

2. 21-24 hours in literature and related courses, including ENG 5079 (Issues in Literary and Cultural Studies). LAE 5370, Teaching English in College, may count toward the 21-24 hours in literature and related courses.

B. There is no foreign-language requirement.

C. Students should have a major professor and supervisory committee in place no later than Spring of Year Two.

D. Thesis

For the culminating performance, students must write and defend a thesis in either fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The thesis may be either a single piece of writing or a collection. A portion of the thesis may originate in written work used to fulfill course requirements, but it may not consist entirely of such material; in other words, the thesis should contain a substantial amount of new work created after coursework has been completed.

1. Thesis Hours

Students must take a total of 9-12 thesis hours. No more than 6 hours may be taken in any one semester. Students must submit a complete and signed supervisory committee form before requesting hours. Students must be signed up for a minimum of two thesis hours in the term in which they receive their degrees. Students must continue to register for 9 credit hours each semester if receiving a tuition waiver.

2. Preparing a Prospectus

The prospectus is a serious, thoughtful document of substance that should be submitted to the Department of English once it is approved by the student’s committee and the ACGS. The prospectus must be completed at least a semester before graduation. For a creative thesis (that is, an original piece of creative writing, or a collection of such pieces, as opposed to a critical/analytical/historical thesis), the prospectus must be accompanied by a writing sample in the genre proposed. If intending to write a novel or a book-length work of nonfiction, the prospectus should probably summarize or outline the plot or throughline; if composing a long poem with a complex structure, the student might describe the structure and intention of the poem. On the other hand, if composing a poem or a short story and the plan is to collect and add to the best work, to produce a collection of original work as a thesis, then the prospectus need not strain to impose thematic or technical connections among the various works. Some students find it useful to write an introduction to their own work situating it within one or another literary tradition, discussing literary influences, and the like. Such an introduction often serves as a useful thesis summary for letters of applications and a succinct point of departure in job interviews. For a sample creative prospectus, see the Graduate Curriculum Canvas site.

When the major professor and the student agree that the prospectus is satisfactory, the student must produce a draft to be presented to the entire committee, whereupon it must be approved and signed by all the members of that committee and then submitted to the ACGS for approval. This submission should be made before work on the thesis begins in earnest, and it must be made at least one full semester before graduation.

3. Writing a Thesis

Students must produce a first draft, which they and their major professor evaluate and revise until it suits both parties. When the major professor and the student agree that the prospectus is satisfactory, the student must produce a draft to be presented and discussed by the entire committee, whereupon it must be approved and signed by all the members of his or her committee. Once it is approved and signed by the supervisory committee, the prospectus must be submitted to the ACGS for approval. This submission must be made before work on the thesis begins in earnest, and it must be made at least one full semester before graduation.

The major professor, true to title, will have the major say as to the development and the ultimate success of the student’s thesis. The major professor will see chapters (or short stories or essays or poems) as they are completed, will make comments or suggestions, and will approve revisions or request additional changes. It is recommended that students meet with their major professor at least twice a semester to discuss their progress. The major professor will let the student know when the thesis is ready to be shown to the other members of the supervisory committee. For the defense, the student will need to present each committee member with a clean “semi-final” draft of the thesis, usually revised one more time after the committee’s response and defense. It is not considered bad form to consult with committee members after submitting the thesis and before the formal defense.

4. Defending

To defend a thesis, the student will meet formally with the supervisory committee to answer questions about the work submitted. Students register for ENG 8976 (Thesis Defense) for the term in which they plan to defend it. Contact the major professor and committee members to arrange a time convenient to all, and then see the English Department Graduate Program Coordinator to reserve a conference room for the defense (or, at the direction of the major professor, arrange for a defense using distance technology). At the defense, make note of the suggestions and corrections made by the supervisory committee: These notes will facilitate a final revision. For the defense attendance policy, see University Requirements for the MA/MFA Degree, Section 5.

5. Submitting

Submission of all Theses and Dissertations is done electronically. See Manuscript Clearance on the Graduate School website (under Thesis, Treatise, Dissertation) for deadlines and information on the submission process. Students must complete the entire manuscript clearance process within 60 days of the defense of their manuscript. Students unable to successfully complete the entire process within the 60 days must re-defend.