Advising
Incoming students will meet with the program director or faculty advisor before the start of classes to discuss her or his first semester’s coursework. At the end of the first semester, each student must select a faculty advisor and confirm the choice with the program office. Forms will be available in the program office. If an advisor is not chosen, one will be assigned. Students will meet at least once each semester with advisors to plan course work.
The role of the academic advisor (who may or may not serve as thesis advisor) is to monitor the progress of the student, to review with the student issues of course selection and course load, and to serve as an advocate for the student in administrative matters.
Thesis
After taking 24 graduate credits and while completing remaining coursework, MFA students can register for the thesis. Students petition a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor. Most students spend two to three semesters preparing and completing the thesis.
MFA students must submit their theses to the Graduate School. Theses must be prepared according to the Guidelines for Preparation of Theses/Dissertations (posted on the Graduate
School’s Web site at www.grad.sunysb.edu) and submitted on or before the published deadline. The program will schedule workshops on thesis preparation as necessary during the academic year.
Time Limits
The time limit for the MFA is three years for full-time study and five years for part-time study. Student’s full- or part-time status is based on registration, and the time-limit may be modified if their enrollment switches between part- and full-time.
The student may petition for an extension of time limit for the degree. Requests for extension of time limit must be filed before the limit is exceeded and must contain a significant justification.
Transfer Credits
The program permits the transfer of up to six hours of credit in suitable graduate work done elsewhere that resulted in a grade of B or better. To obtain transfer credit, the student must make special application to the program and submit official transcripts. Transfer credits are only approved at the discretion of the academic department and the Graduate School. Courses older than five years will be accepted only in rare circumstances.