M.A. Plan B Paper
The Plan B paper is a reworked and expanded version of a seminar paper. You should aim for a scope of 7,000 to 8,000 words (12 point font - Times New Roman, double spaced, including notes and bibliography). If you have an emphasis, the Plan B paper must include that emphasis as part of its focus.
Through the process of rewriting, you will gain experience in pursuing a particular topic, and conducting research while incorporating feedback. Ideally, once completed, this paper will be ready for future publication. You will work with at least one faculty member, either the faculty member for whose class it was written, your advisor and/or another member of your committee.
Note: The Plan B paper is part of the M.A. exam, so you will not be able to use a paper from a 4th-semester course.
M.A. Final Oral Exam
The 60–90-minute final examination is oral and is based on your Plan B paper and your M.A. Reading List. At the end of the examination, your M. A. examination committee will let you know whether or not you have passed and will sign and submit the Final Examination Report form. You can review more information on this procedure in Step 5 and 6 of your Degree Completion Steps. In addition, your advisor will need to report the results of the exam to the GPC.
Your advisor then reports the results to the graduate faculty. That committee will decide, in the context of your overall performance in the program, whether or not you will proceed into the Ph.D. program. They will inform you of their decision in writing.
If the committee decides that you have passed the exam but are not qualified to continue on for the Ph.D., you would receive the M.A. (if all other requirements have been met), but it will be a terminal degree.
Note: The M.A.examination has to be taken by the last day of class in the Spring Semester.