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Steps to your MFA

at Miami University

November 17, 2023

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Who’s responsible for ensuring you graduate

when you want to?

  • Thesis advisor
  • Sarah Broome
  • Graduate Director (Tim Lockridge)
  • You

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?

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Graduate Handbook, section 3

is your friend. ��https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-programs/english/graduate-programs-handbook.html���On to the Steps…��

Recent in-person, hybrid & online thesis defenses

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Ten steps to degree

  1. Take classes
  2. Select committee
  3. Write & submit rationale & list
  4. Write thesis
  5. Read list
  6. Schedule defense
  7. Apply for graduation
  8. Format check
  9. Defend & upload to OhioLINK
  10. Graduate!

Recent in-person, hybrid & online thesis defenses

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  1. Take classes

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  • Requirements in Grad Handbook, Section 3�
  • Grad Director can answer questions

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2. Select your Committee

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  • Explore ASAP: meet faculty�
  • First, find chair, who will help you identify the rest of your committee�
  • Grad director may have helpful advice on chair/committee�
  • Deadline: ideally by end spring semester year 1�
  • Submit committee form

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3. Rationale and List

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From Grad Handbook

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3. Rationale and List

  • During summer/early fall 2nd year
  • Rationale = 1-2p descriptive plan for thesis
  • List = 10-20 works that support thesis
  • Work with chair
  • Deadline: ideally by Nov 1
    • Rolling deadlines, first of each month
    • Send to Sarah; MLA form
    • Forms for sign-off
    • Hard deadline: 3 months prior to graduation

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4. & 5. Write Thesis and Read List! (The fun parts)

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Work closely with thesis director: ��discuss expectations, plan meetings, set schedule for submitting work

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6–8: three minor steps that matter

  • Take classes
  • Select committee
  • Write & submit rationale & list
  • Write thesis
  • Read list
  • Schedule defense
  • Apply for graduation
  • Format check

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Recent in-person, hybrid & online thesis defenses

Continue working on thesis and reading list while doing steps 6-8.

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6. Schedule thesis defense

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To figure out timing for thesis defense,�think backwards from when you want to graduate. ��

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Timing considerations:

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Considerations for choosing graduation date

  • How much time do you need for writing your thesis? Shoot for having an almost-final draft of thesis roughly 2 months ahead of graduation
  • Financial considerations (working? summer funding?)
  • Moving?
  • Visa status

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Set tentative date for graduating.�Note deadlines between now & then.

See Grad School website, Steps to Graduation

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Typical timeline (dates are for August 2024 graduation)

Most students graduate in August because spring graduation creates a tight timeline for writing the thesis.� Check deadlines on Grad School website: Steps to Graduation��[sample dates — just a guideline]

  • February 28: Apply for graduation (previous semester)
  • July 12: Format check (thesis should be nearly final)
  • June/July: Defend (thesis is formatted; small changes ok)
  • July 26: Upload to OhioLink
  • August 16: Degree conferred

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“If I want to graduate in August of next year, �I need to apply for graduation by ______”

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7. Apply for graduation

  • Apply during previous semester! �For August graduation 2024, deadline is Feb 28�
  • Apply via Bannerweb (instructions)�
  • Small fee ($35 in 2022)�
  • “Graduation” = degree conferral, not commencement (i.e. “walking”) �
  • Can “walk” at May commencement even if not graduating till August

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8. Format check

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  • Prepares MS for OhioLink�
  • Grad school website for templates & where to submit for check�
  • 200-word abstract�
  • Deadline on grad school website�
  • 10-year delay on publication

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9. Defend and upload to OhioLink

  • Defense: 1 hour MS, ½ hour list�
  • Committee signs off�
  • Sign OhioLink delay form�
  • Upload to OhioLink

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Recent in-person, hybrid & online thesis defenses

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10. Graduate!

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  • Take classes
  • Select committee
  • Write & submit rationale & list
  • Write thesis
  • Read list
  • Schedule defense
  • Apply for graduation
  • Format check
  • Defend & upload to OhioLINK
  • Graduate!

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Important links

ENG Grad Handbook: course info & steps toward degree (sometimes out of date)�https://miamioh.edu/cas/academics/departments/english/academics/graduate-studies/handbook/index.html

ENGGRADS Canvas Site: form links, sample rationales�https://miamioh.instructure.com/courses/28934

Graduate School Steps to Graduation page: important deadlines�https://miamioh.edu/graduate-school/current-students/steps-to-graduation/index.html

MFA Orientation Info Sheet: more detailed version of slide presentation�https://docs.google.com/document/d/1akXOZiIzIzV6iaxhz0NG28zgM66lP32PKK5KzlDleRM/edit

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Questions?