Appendix 3: Timeline and Checklist for M.A. Degree

This timeline and checklist is intended as a general guide. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for the most updated requirements and deadlines.  Students take coursework at different rates, so the timeline is very general and you should not expect your timeline to look like anyone else’s.

Timeline

0-15 credits: Discuss degree requirements and plan courses with graduate advisor. Take ENGL 6821 (Fall semester if GTA); take ENGL 6001 early in your program; take electives to explore your interests; use the courses listed in the Handbook descriptions of Emphases as guides

16-24 credits: Develop Directed Reading or Directed Creative Writing course to explore specialized interests; select Director for Thesis or Portfolio; and if choosing thesis, take ENGL 6909 semester before thesis hours. Directed Reading, M.A. Reading, Thesis and Portfolio classes all require proposals to be approved in order to register (See Handbook and FAQ pages for more information)

25-33 credits: Complete coursework; complete and defend thesis (theses must be defended and submitted to CGS several weeks before end of semester) OR complete portfolio (portfolios are approved by the director by the end of the semester); file Intent to Graduate in final semester

Checklist – Thesis Option

_____ENGL 6001 Introduction to Graduate Studies (best taken the first semester if possible)

_____ENGL 6821 Seminar in Teaching Composition (required in the Fall semester before teaching for GTAs)

_____Plan timeline for thesis with thesis director and submit Advisory Committee Form. (May be done while taking ENGL 6909 prior to registering for thesis hours.)

_____ Complete minimum of 27 credit hours of coursework (including required ENGL 6001 and optional ENGL 6909) and minimum 3 credit hours of Thesis Research (ENGL 6640) with a grade of S.

_____File Intent to Graduate (semester in which you will defend the thesis)

_____Submit defended M.A. thesis to ProQuest

_____Submit Thesis/Dissertation Approval Page to College of Graduate Studies

Checklist – Portfolio Option

_____Set up file to save all graded papers from courses

_____ENGL 6001 Introduction to Graduate Studies (best taken the first semester if possible)

_____ENGL 6821 Seminar in Teaching Composition (required in the Fall semester for GTAs)

_____Complete 30 credit hours of coursework (including ENGL 6001)

_____File Intent to Graduate (semester in which you will complete the Directed Portfolio)

_____Complete ENGL 6913: Directed Portfolio (semester of graduation)