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Master's Thesis in English

Graduate students in literature or in composition and writing theory who maintain a 3.5 G.P.A. in graduate English courses may elect to take 6 hours of thesis credit, ENG 6000, normally during their last two semesters of course work.

The thesis should demonstrate original thought and substantial research. It may be an originally scholarly assessment or critical compilation of primary material; a critical study of literary works and authors; a theoretical exploration of issues related to literature, linguistics, writing; or an empirical study of composition and/or pedagogy (for example, a case study, composing process analysis, classroom ethnography, or other fieldwork). The completed thesis should be at least fifty pages (double-spaced, typed), not including notes, bibliography, and appendices (new MLA format). The amount of work--reading, research, consulting, and writing--that the student devotes to the thesis project should be equivalent to that of two seminars.

During the semester before registering for English 6000, the student should secure a thesis director who has particular knowledge of the subject and who is a member of the Department's graduate faculty. The director must approve the topic and a preliminary bibliography, and the student and director must then complete a proposal to be filed with the graduate coordinator. In consultation with the graduate coordinator, the thesis director will ask two other members of the graduate faculty to serve on the committee. The graduate coordinator will then submit the top half of the completed M2 form, designating the committee members, to the Graduate Dean's office for approval. The student and director should decide at the outset whether a letter or a delayed grade will be given for the first semester.

Generally 6000 should be taken over two semesters, three hours of credit for each semester. The proposal mentioned above should include a description of the work to be done the first semester. The precise form of that work would be up to the director. It should, however, include regular meetings with the director and a substantial writing assignment, very possibly a first draft, or shorter papers leading to a draft, that would aid the student in finishing the thesis by second semester's deadline. At the end of the first semester the student must submit an outline for the thesis along with a report of the work done during the semester to be signed by the director and filed with the graduate coordinator.

In order to fulfill the Graduate School's requirements for the successful submission of the thesis, the student must submit the completed copies of the thesis to the thesis director and to the other committee members six weeks into the semester . This will give the committee time to critique the drafts and return them to the student for revisions. After revising, the student will resubmit the thesis to the committee for approval. In case of a split vote, the majority vote will determine whether the thesis is acceptable.

Early in the second semester, students should visit the Graduate School office (338 Woods Hall), and personally acquaint themselves with that office's prescriptions and schedule for the submission of the thesis. Dates vary each year in accord with the academic calendar.

Graduate School Approvalk Process of MA Thesis

After committee approval, the thesis, along with form M3, Preliminary Approval of Master=s Thesis must be submitted to the Graduate School. After form M3 has been returned from the Graduate School, the committee will sign their names on the bottom half of the M2 form indicating that the student has passed or failed his or her defense. (This will be necessary even though the English Department does not require a defense.) The M2 is then mailed back to the Graduate School for the Dean's Signature. After the student has made any final changes to the thesis as indicated by the Dean, he or she will submit three copies of it to the library to be bound. The student will need to take to the library form M5 signed by the student's chairperson or graduate coordinator. At the library the library representative will sign the form, which the student should then take to the Graduate Dean for his signature.

Instructions for binding, microfilming, and copyrighting of Master's theses and Doctoral dissertations

After obtaining signatures from the student's advisory committee on the title page of the thesis/dissertation, the student should bring a minimum of 3 copies (plus an extra abstract and title page) to the Thomas Jefferson Library. The Library will pay for the binding of one copy and have it cataloged and added to its collection; the graduating student's department will pay for the binding of the second copy for the department office. The Library will forward the third copy unbound to University Microfilm International to be microfilmed; with this copy the student should include the extra copy of the title page and the abstract.

Microfilming of theses/dissertations is a requirement for graduation. The cost for microfilming a master's thesis is $45.00, paid by the student. Copyrighting is optional and also paid by the student; the fee for copyrighting is $35.00. The total fro both microfilming and copyrighting is $80.00. The cost for microfilming a dissertation is $55.00, paid by the student. Copyrighting is optional and is also paid by the student; the fee for copyrighting is $35.00. The fee for both microfilming and copyrighting is $90.00. The graduating student must fill out the appropriate UMI Agreement Form (available from either the Library or the Graduate School). The student should sign the agreement on the back, and sign to make the thesis/dissertation available to the blind and physically handicapped; there is no additional cost. Payment will be accepted only in the form of a check or money order made payable to UMI; credit cards are not accepted.

Personal copies will be bound only when the student brings them at the same time that the Library and Department copies are brought in. The cost for personal copies is $22.50 each, payable by cash, check or money order; credit cards are not accepted. Payment must be made at the time the copies are submitted; checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

When the above requirements have been fulfilled, a Library representative will sign the student's I-17 Form. It is the student's responsibility to deliver this form to the Graduate School.

The Library will contact the individual via mail when bound personal copies have returned from the bindery (usually 4-6 weeks) and are ready to be picked up.