Graduate Study
MFA Thesis Information
A student may take the oral exam (thesis defense) only after successful completion of the portfolio, all course work, and other program requirements.
Theses may be evaluated as inadequate by a student's thesis committee and permission will not be given for the oral examination until a thesis revision is accepted by all members of the candidate's committee in writing. The thesis will be prefaced by a "abstract" which is a brief discussion of the aesthetics behind the writer's work. Once the full committee approves thesis and abstract, the student will take an hour-long oral defense of his/her thesis.
Poetry Thesis: A poetry thesis is defined as a book-length collection of poetry. Therefore, a thesis will have the number of pages and the quality of work that make publication a possibility, at least 48 single-spaced pages and no more than 84 pages.
Fiction Thesis: A fiction thesis is defined as a book-length collection of stories or a novel. Therefore, a thesis will have the number of pages and the quality of work that make publication a possibility, at least 8 short stories or no less than 100 pages, double-spaced.
Important Note: Students are responsible for meeting all Graduate School deadlines for forms like the GS Form 6 and for fulfilling graduation requirements. Students who do not complete their degrees within the three resident years must consult with their advisors for a mutually acceptable schedule of completion. Furthermore, students who do not graduate but are not actively enrolled in Graduate School will need to pay for continuous registration until they receive their degrees. For more information about forms, deadlines, or continuous registration, contact the English Department office, 359 Eddy or call (970) 491-2403.
This information is not intended to replace your advisor or the information in the CSU General Catalog, the Class Schedule, or the Department Checksheets.
Contact us: Attn: Marnie Leonard – Through the mail at 1773 Campus Delivery Eddy Hall, Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1773. On the phone at (970) 491-2403. By e-mail at Marnie.Leonard@colostate.edu.
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