Master's Essay

Catalog description

Students electing the master essay option complete revision of a scholarly essay of 25-30 pages, the approximate length of a journal article, and reformulation of this essay to the 7-8 pages appropriate for presentation at a conference. This option also requires research of appropriate publication venues and a final oral defense of the project. A supervising faculty member will approve the selected essay, guide revision, and help students form an examining committee, which consists of at least two members of the graduate English faculty and one member of the graduate faculty from outside the department. Students are encouraged to undertake the Master Essay process in the first half of their third semester of full time graduate work, or soon after completing 18 hours of course work. This option is the preferred exam option, particularly for those students who intend to pursue Ph.D. study. Consent of instructor required.