Creative Thesis Projects (MENG 6950)
As specified in the course catalog, MENG 6950 provides for the creation and execution of a project growing out of graduate study. This independent thesis course is designed to allow students to explore in depth and/or breadth subject matter that goes beyond the established courses in the MA program. As such, a Master’s Project proposal should be detailed, specific, and demonstrate a time commitment equal to that expected of students taking regularly
scheduled courses.
Students must have successfully completed three Master’s-level classes in creative writing (Forms & Crafts, and at least two workshops in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, or Screenwriting). All students choosing this option will write a 10-12 page (2,500-3,000 words) critical introduction that references project-relevant texts and courses taken in the MA English Program. Thesis projects are expected to approach publication quality.
A note on previously published material: please check the publication agreement you signed when publishing your material and verify that you retain serial rights to your work after publication. If you have questions about this, please consult with the MA program director and/or your thesis chair, and be prepared to go over your publication agreement(s). No more than 25% of a thesis may be material that was previously published or submitted for a grade in another course.
Thesis Project Attachments
Creative Writing Thesis Project Proposal Form (DOCX)
In consultation with your committee chair, please attach the following:
- A detailed description of the project, the themes, genres, styles, issues, and ideas it engages, and the primary focus or form(s) you will explore.
- A preliminary bibliography: list the primary and secondary texts that may influence the project. The amount of reading must be the same as the amount required in a face-to-face creative writing class of equivalent credit hours. Creative thesis projects are expected to focus predominantly (or entirely) on primary texts that have influenced you.
- A detailed description of the written work that will be completed. Include particulars (e.g., number of manuscript pages, etc.).
Guidelines for written work are as follows:
Prose Theses
- 3 Credits: 35-40 pages of finished work + critical introduction
- 6 Credits: 70-80 pages of finished work + critical introduction
Poetry Theses
- 3 Credits: 20-25 poems or pages of poetry + critical introduction
- 6 Credits: 40-50 poems or pages of poetry + critical introduction
Critical Introductions
Poetry Thesis Projects
In addition to the critical introduction, a 3-credit hour poetry thesis should include 20-25 poems or pages of poetry (depending upon formatting, etc.). Additional credit hours will require an additional number of poems/pages of poetry, with a 6-credit hour thesis requiring 40-50 poems/pages of poetry.
Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Projects
In addition to the critical introduction, a 3-credit hour prose thesis should include 35-40 pages of finished work. Additional credit hours will require additional pages, with a 6-credit hour thesis requiring 70-80 pages of finished work.