Graduate Student Handbook

Master of Arts  in English 

◻ Literature ◻ Rhetoric & Writing ◻ Creative Writing 

Welcome to our Program The Master of Arts program in English, with concentrations in Literature, Rhetoric & Writing, and Creative Writing, trains students in advanced writing, reading, and research strategies. Careers pursued often include those in professional writing, teaching, academics, non-profit fields, and any work that requires a strong writer and problem solver. 

Our students have been accepted to prestigious graduate schools                 including UC Irvine, Syracuse, and Florida State University. They have                   completed internships at national corporations (UNUM and Blue Cross                 Blue Shield), local magazines and marketing firms, have started their                   own small businesses, secured jobs as professional writers, and used                   our program for advanced training as instructors in higher education                   and high schools.  

Our Faculty

Literature  Rhetoric and Writing  Creative Writing 

James Arnett Matthew Guy Bryan Hampton Joseph Jordan Immaculate Kizza Andrew McCarthy Verbie Prevost Katherine Rehyansky Aaron Shaheen Joyce Smith Chris Stuart Abbie Ventura 

Jennifer Beech Rik Hunter Lauren Ingraham Rebecca Jones Heather Palmer Jen Stewart Joe Wilferth 

Sybil Baker Tom Balazs Earl Braggs Sarah Einstein 

For More Information 

Rebecca JonesDirector of Graduate StudiesRebecca-Jones01@utc.edu423-425-4608 

Chris Stuart Department Head Christ-Stuart@utc.edu 423-425-2140 

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Table of Contents 

Admissions  ….…………………………………………………………………………. 3 

Programs of Study  .…………………………………………………………………….4 

Oral Comprehensive Exam  ...…………………………………………………………5 

Thesis  .………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 

Thesis  Requirements     .……………………………………………………….……….7 Semester Overviews   .………………………………………...…………………….... 10 

 …………………………………………………………………………..............12 

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Admissions The admission requirements listed below offer minimum considerations. Final approval is made by a committee and includes both quantitative and qualitative decisions as well as considerations about a student’s compatibility with the interests of the faculty and capacity of the department. 

Deadlines and Process Admission to the Masters of Arts in English is rolling. However, if students would like to apply for a Graduate Assistantship in the department or across campus, applications must be complete by February 1. Additionally, if the program reaches capacity, admissions will be closed until more openings are available. 

To apply, begin with the online application found here. ● Complete the personal information● Upload all required documents● Request recommendations● Request official transcripts● Pay $35 application fee

Literary Study, Rhetoric & Writing 

Creative Writing 

In addition to meeting the standards for admission to The Graduate School , applicants should have a minimum of 18 hours in English beyond Freshman composition, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for those hours. All applicants should submit: 

a 1 000-1500 word statement ofpurpose. This statement should addressyour goals for graduate study and describe your personal, academic, and professional interests and experience. Explain how this program is appropriate for your research/creative interests and career goals;

an 8-10 page writing sample ofacademic work that reflects your researchand writing potential; and

two letters of recommendation thatcan speak to your academic and/orprofessional career.

In addition to meeting the standards of admission to The Graduate School, applicants for the M.A. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing should have a minimum of 18 hours in English beyond Freshman composition, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for those hours. Applicants must also submit: 

1) a 1,000-1,500 word statement of purposedescribing the candidate’s intellectual andcreative background, interests and goals;

2) a manuscript of 12-15 poems or 25 pagesof creative prose; and

3) two letters of recommendation that canspeak to your academic or creativework.

Although the Graduate School and the English Department do not require applicants to submit scores from the GRE, applicants are encouraged to submit scores to the English Department if they have already taken the exam or feel that the scores will strengthen the application. 

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Programs of Study 

Literary Study  (33 hours) Degree Requirements: 

▪ ENGL 5000 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in English: Methodology andBibliography (3)

▪ ENGL 5050 - Theory and Criticism (3) OR Literary Theory  (3)▪ Two literature courses before 1800 (6)▪ Literature electives (9)▪ Elective English courses/Thesis (12)▪ Oral Comprehensive Exam/Thesis or Paper

Rhetoric and Writing  (33 hours)  Degree Requirements: 

▪ ENGL 5000 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in English: Methodology andBibliography (3)

▪ ENGL 5115 - History of Rhetorical Theory I: Ancient Greece to Renaissance (3)▪ ENGL 5125 - History of Rhetorical Theory II: Early Modern to Contemporary (3)▪ Other rhetoric and writing courses (12 hours)▪ Elective English courses/Thesis (12)▪ Oral Comprehensive Exam/Thesis or Paper

▪ ENGL 5510r - Fiction Writing OrENGL 5950 - Workshop: Writing (3Hours)

▪ ENGL 5520 - Poetry Workshop (9hours)

▪ Elective English Courses   (15 hours)

▪ ENGL 5999r - Thesis (6 Hours)

Prose Track  (33 Hours) 

▪ ENGL 5510r - Fiction Writing OrENGL 5950 - Workshop: Writing (9Hours)

▪ ENGL 5520 - Poetry Workshop (3Hours)

▪ Elective English courses    (15Hours)

▪ ENGL 5999r - Thesis  (6 Hours)

﹡ Both tracks include a final Oral Comprehensive Exam/Thesis or Paper 

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Creative WritingDegree Requirements

Poetry Track  (33 Hours) 

See Program of Study Form 

In the first semester, students complete a program of study form and turn it in to the Director of Graduate Studies. This is the template for your graduate work. In the final semester, students complete an audit and submit any changes in the program of study to the Graduate School.

Oral Comprehensive Exam An oral comprehensive examination is required of all students. It serves as the culmination of the Masters experience and demonstrates that you can engage  a high  level academic conversation. The conversation includes the defense of a writing project of the student’s choosing, either an ENGL 5998 research project, an ENGL 5999 thesis, or a revised class research paper. In addition, students should be prepared to discuss a reading list established in consultation with faculty committee members. 

Choosing a Committee: Students are responsible for securing three faculty members to serve on their exam committee. The director of the committee should be the faculty member that is most experienced in the student’s paper or thesis topic. The other members should be faculty whose research roughly corresponds to the reading lists developed. 

Research Project or Revised Paper Option: If a student does not write a formal thesis and chooses to present a paper, the paper should be a high quality, well-researched project. This paper, while it can certainly develop from a course project, should go beyond a seminar paper. The paper needs to clearly enter the current conversation on your topic, offer a compelling argument, meet style guidelines, and demonstrate graduate level prose. Students should begin working on this paper with their exam director a full semester before the exam. 

Reading List: Each student, along with the three members of their exam committee, will create a reading list. Students choose three areas to examine and develop a list of 10-12 readings for each list. The list must be approved by the appropriate committeemember and sent to the graduate director before the exam.

Concentration: Literature Content Area Examples 

British LiteratureMedieval and RenaissanceRestoration and 18th Century19th and 20th Century

American Literature  Before the Civil War After the Civil WarCritical/Literary Theory

Concentration: Rhetoric and Composition Content Area Examples 

CompositionComposition TheoryComposition PedagogyLiteracy and Technology

Rhetorical Rhetorical TheoryRhetorical Pedagogy Literacy and Technology

See Graduate Committee Appointment Form 

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Thesis 

Working on a thesis requires long term planning that includes securing a faculty director, establishing a plan for research and writing, rigor, and a willingness to revise and complete all of the final formatting required by the Graduate School. Delving deeply into a topic can be a rewarding experience and provide the groundwork for publications, conference presentations, and MFA/Ph.D. application materials. 

Creative Writing: A Thesis is REQUIRED for this track. The creative thesis should consist of original poetry single spaced, no more than one poem per page (Poetry Track), or of prose (Prose Track); either option should include an 8-10 page introduction (craft paper) that discusses the poetics or influences behind the thesis (this is not a self-examination or analysis of the work in the thesis). The student begins to work with a faculty director for the thesis when 9 (nine) hours of coursework is completed. The thesis itself is a cumulative document, not confined to work done during the registered 6 hours. Students normally register for the thesis during the last two semesters. 

Literature and Rhetoric & Writing: The thesis is an option for these two tracks. Students choosing this option usually intend to continue onto a Ph.D. program or have a specific long-term project they would like to pursue. By the end of the second semester of full time coursework, students should contact possible faculty directors and begin to plan thesis hours. Students can sign up for 6 hours of thesis and often complete these in the final semesters. 

Students who choose to write an academic thesis should be prepared to complete extensive research on their topic and assure that their work participates in the current academic conversation. Requirements include a bibliography that represents both breadth and depth, clear and compelling writing that meets the standards of an academic journal, and an argument that can be sustained for the whole project. 

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Thesis Requirements 

1. Read “ Thesis and Dissertation Standards”;2. Complete and submit the  Committee Appointment Form ;3. Institutional Review Board – Submit permission request if required;4. Attend a “Thesis and Dissertation Standards” workshop;5. Write your manuscript according to the “ Thesis and Dissertation Standards ”;6. At least 2 weeks prior to defense, submit  Notice of Defense  email after

discussing defense time, date and location with Committee members (make sureyour committee has a copy of your manuscript for review):

▪ Put in Subject Line:  Your Name, Notice of Scheduled Defense▪ Copy, paste and fill in the information below:

UTC ID#:Name:Degree:Chairperson:Title of Thesis/Dissertation:Scheduled defense Date:Time:Location:Abstract: (copy and paste into the email)

It is important that you appropriately plan to defend and submit your thesis or dissertation in the approved and accepted format to the Graduate School according to the dates published in the Graduate School Academic Calendar. Defending and/or submitting your thesis or dissertation after the deadline date may result in you not graduating in the semester you planned, additional expense to register for a subsequent semester, and your degree to not be conferred as planned.  Please note these dates and plan accordingly to defend and submit in the semester you plan to complete your manuscript.  

Instructions for Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation: 

The following is a listing of the steps required for submitting a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School for format review and approval. Theses and dissertations are not considered complete until the document has been approved by the Graduate School; therefore, transcripts and diplomas are not released until all of the following steps are completed in the sequence provided.  

Deadlines for submission of documents for review by Graduate School staff are published on the Graduate School web site and the Graduate School Academic Calendar; these deadlines cannot be waived. However, if the deadline falls on a weekend, the thesis or dissertation must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on the following Monday. To meet the first submission deadline (the first review of the document), the following verification forms or pages must be received by the Graduate School prior to the thesis or dissertation. Links are provided to each of the forms or pages.  

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A completed Graduate Degree Examination Results  form with all required signatures indicating that the defense of the thesis or dissertation was passed and the thesis or dissertation has been accepted by the examining committee. This form should be delivered to the Graduate School, preferably in electronic form.  

The student must submit the “Verification of Standards and Bibliography Management Software form ”, which indicates that the Standards for formatting were followed, verifies the bibliography management software used, provides the name of the software, and indicates the word processing software used to produce the thesis or dissertation.  

Formal Degree Names for page ii of the thesis/dissertation College of Arts & Sciences Master of Arts: English       

The thesis or dissertation is submitted electronically to UTC Scholar, (submissions guidelines @ http://scholar.utc.edu/theses/ )  The thesis or dissertation should not be submitted until all committee editorial comments and corrections are appropriately addressed.  

Make sure your paper is in an acceptable format. UTC Scholar accepts papers in Microsoft Word (DOC) or (DOCX), Rich Text Format (RTF), or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). MS Word or Rich Text Format is preferred.  

Upon completion of the initial format review, the thesis or dissertation will be accepted or returned to the student for corrections. If the document is not accepted, the student must make the requested corrections and re-submit a revised electronic copy for review. The review process continues until the document is deemed acceptable.  

When the document is accepted, the graduate dean will post the manuscript for the general public on UTC Scholar.  The student will receive an email that the document has been posted which means the dean has accepted the document and the Theses or Dissertation requirement has been fulfilled.  

To submit to UTC Scholar follow the instructions at:   http://scholar.utc.edu/theses/guidelines.html.  In addition to UTC Scholar, the students has the the option of submitting their research to the UMI ETD Administration site (ProQuest) at  

 http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/main/submitting . 

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Semester Overviews The following represents the schedule for a full time student completing the program in two years. Many students complete the program more gradually while teaching or working full time. Due dates and extra forms can be found on the  Graduate School website , the Graduate Student in English Blackboard page, or at the end of this handbook. 

Semester 1 

Meet with Graduate Director prior to beginning the semester 

Attend orientations 

Register for classes (see required courses within each track) 

Complete Program of Study (see pg. 12) 

Form study groups 

Semester 2 

Register for classes 

Schedule advisement for fall semester 

Begin to form exam/thesis committee 

Begin to establish reading list for summer study 

*If writing a thesis, sketch out argument andstart a conversation about prospectus

Semester 3 

Schedule final advisement 

Register for classes 

Complete Graduation Audit 

Complete Graduation Application 

Finalize reading list for oral exam 

*Thesis writers turn in prospectus toDepartment Graduate Committee in October

Complete Graduate Committee Appointment form  (see pg. 13) 

Registration and Advisement Students meet with the Graduate Director prior to registering each semester for advisement and to receive their PIN number. This meeting assures that students are meeting the requirements for their track and are optimizing their graduate experience. This biannual meeting is a good time to talk about forming exam committees, applying for internships, and post graduation planning. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships Information on scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships can be found at UTC’s Financial Aid site under the “Graduate Student Information” link. Students must be 

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Semester 4 

Register for classes 

Establish a date and time for oral exam/thesis defense 

Verify graduation status with the Graduate School 

Complete exam/thesis 

Turn in exam results to the Graduate School 

Attend graduation! 

registered for at least 6 hours and have completed a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) for the school year in order to qualify to receive loans.  

The Graduate School has a limited number of scholarships, most of which are single course scholarships. To be eligible, students must have a minimum 3.0 institutional cumulative GPA. The priority deadline for applying is February 15. 

The English Department also offers several internal scholarships and awards. The applications are due in March. Please apply via the departmental website . 

Assistantships Assistantships are available to full time students who apply to the program by February 1st and complete the Assistantship Application . Assistantships include a full tuition waiver and a stipend. They are renewable for a second year if students continue the program in good standing* (see pg. 11) 

Departmental The Department of English offers seven assistantships that include work in the Freshman Composition program (tutoring and/or teaching courses) as well as working with faculty on various projects including research and journal editing and professional writing. 

University Departments and units across the university also offer competitive assistantships. Students have worked in the grants office, community engagement program, and the  Writing Center. 

Travel Awards The Graduate School offers limited travel funding through the Graduate Student Association. This funding is primarily for students who have been accepted to present at a conference. Talk to your professors about conference opportunities.  

Campus Work There are many departments on campus (the library, business school, communication department) that need graduate student workers to complete specific projects for a small stipend or for hourly pay. Contact the Graduate Director if you are interested in any of these opportunities. They will also be sent out via email and posted to the Blackboard page. Check for other openings around camp s here. 

Internships Internships both on campus in the local community offer invaluable professional experience. While all English Department graduate students are encouraged to participate in an internship, Rhetoric and Writing students should plan to complete one as a way to cement the work of their track. Internships can count as a 3 credit hour course in the Rhetoric and Writing track and as an elective in Literature and Creative Writing. Contact the Graduate Director for guidance in securing an internship. 

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Continuous Enrollment and Academic Good Standing 

Continuous Enrollment: After accepting the invitation to join the graduate program, students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment during fall and spring semesters. 

If you cannot maintain continuous enrollment, you must apply for a Stop-Out. If you are not enrolled for the fall or spring semester, it will be necessary to seek readmission to the program to continue study. If you register for thesis credit, you must continue to enroll for thesis credit each semester the thesis is still in progress. This means that if you complete coursework, but have not completed your thesis, you will have to enroll for thesis hours as you continue to work. 

Academic Good Standing: A student admitted to the graduate program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Students who fail to meet this standard will be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program. 

Assistantships (from the graduate school): A student must demonstrate satisfactory progress in the academic program to retain an assistantship. Failure to do so may result in a termination of the assistantship. Unsatisfactory progress is defined as the failure to maintain a cumulative 3.00 or higher GPA in graduate courses attempted in the specific program at UTC; a grade of U, D, or F in any course; more than two grades below a B; failure of the comprehensive/preliminary examination; an unsatisfactory evaluation of a thesis or dissertation; failure of a research defense; or any other failure of a required component pertaining to the GA’s academic requirements. Any, or a combination of these, constitutes sufficient basis for termination of a student’s graduate assistantship at the discretion of the hiring department and the Graduate School.  

A GA will be dismissed from holding the position for failure to complete work assignments satisfactorily or complete work assignments in a timely manner. 

GAs that resign their position during a semester will not be eligible to hold a GA position thereafter. In addition, the GA will be required to re-pay the tuition waiver. Questions regarding how to handle issues involved with GA resignations should be addressed to the dean of the Graduate School. 

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GS #101

SUBMIT completed form to: Graduate School Office, Dept 5305, 103 Race Hall, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA OFFICE OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

GRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY Type or Print All Information Name: UTCID:

Last First Middle Degree: O Master’s O Specialist O Doctoral Major: Conc.:

Semester First Course Taken: Hours Required for Degree:

Credit hours in core: Number of elective hours to complete program: (All core courses must be listed.) (Elective courses may be listed but are not required on the POS form. )

Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hr. Semester Grade

List Transfer Courses below: (list course prefix, number, title, where taken, and grade)

Use the CONTINUATION Form for additional coursework if applicable.

Typed / Printed Name: Signatures:

Student Date

Major Advisor / Chairperson Date

Program Officer (Director, Coordinator, etc.) Date

**Students must submit the Application for Candidacy & Graduation Form the semester prior to their anticipated graduation. Some programs may have more strict guidelines; students should consult with their specific graduate program.

Dean of the Graduate School Date Degree Completion Required Date

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA OFFICE OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

GRADUATE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT FORM

Name: UTC ID: Last First Middle

Degree: Master’s Doctorate Major:

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Type or print the name and sign. Signature indicates both acknowledgement of request and willingness to serve. All committee members must be members of the graduate faculty and the chair must have Full membership status.

Typed/Printed Name: Signature:

Major Professor/Advisor

Co-Major Professor/Advisor (If applicable)

Committee Member

Committee Member

Committee Member

Committee Member

Committee Member

APPROVAL:

Typed/Printed Name: Signature:

Student

Department Head

Graduate School

Return completed form to the Graduate School, Dept. 5305 or 103 Race Hall.

Name: ________________________________ Date:______________ UTC ID: ___________

Individual Studies/Research Contract UTC Records Office, 109 Race Hall 615 McCallie Avenue, Dept. 5155

Chattanooga, TN 37403 Ph: (423) 425-4416 Fax: (423) 425-2172

This form must be submitted when registering for any individualized course including 4994r, 4995r, 4997r, 4998r, 5997r, 5998r, or 7997r course. If additional space is needed, please provide attachments.

Course Title: ________________________________________________________________________

Department, Course #, Section:____________________________________ CRN: ____________

Credit Hours: ___ Year: _______ Semester: (circle one) Fall Spring Summer

Completion Date: ______________ Faculty Director: ____________________________________

Please Describe:

(A) Nature of individualized study:___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

(B) Specific responsibilities and/or learning objectives of student: ______________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

(C) Criteria which will be used for evaluation and grading of this project: ______________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

(D) Arrangements and frequency of meetings with faculty director of this specialized course: ___

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Student: Please photocopy approved form and distribute copies to: Records Office (Original form) Department Head Student

Student’s Signature Date

Faculty Director’s Signature Date

Department Head’s Signature Date

Director Honors Program or Designee (required for 4995 registrations only) Date

GS #103

Name: Date: UTCID: __________

GRADUATION AUDIT FOR DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Candidacy: formal recognition of graduate students who have completed the majority of their coursework, comprehensive examinations (if applicable), and/or are within one semester of completing their academic program. Each student’s Program of Study and Candidacy Application are reviewed by Graduate School staff to determine whether the student meets all University graduation requirements.

Graduation Status Reports and updates will only be sent to a valid UTC E-mail address Degree: Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Master of Arts (MA) Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Interior Design (MID)

_ Master of Music (MM) _ Master of Public Administration (MPA) Master of Science (MS) Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)

_ Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Master in Education (MEd) Specialist in Education (EdS) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

_ Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) _ Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) _ Doctor of Education (EdD) _ Doctor of Computational Engineering (PhD) Certificate Program

Program (Major): Use COMPLETE title (example: Secondary Education)

Program (Major): Concentration: __________________________ Are you completing a thesis? (Y/N)

Certificate Program Title (if applicable): _________________________ (In the space below, list all courses taken for a certificate program.)

Below list all electives or course changes not listed on the original PROGRAM OF STUDY. Use the Continuation form for additional courses/changes if needed. Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hr Semester Grade

Semester/Year in which you plan to graduate: (see the Graduate Academic Calendar for specific dates for submission)

Fall: December 20 Spring: May 20 Summer: 20 Due last date of spring early registration Due last date of fall early registration Due last date of spring early registration

_____________________________________ Major Advisor / Chair Person Date

_____________________________________ Dean, Graduate School Date

_____________________________________ Student’s Signature Date

_____________________________________ Program Officer (Director, Coordinator, etc.) Date

SUBMIT completed form to: Graduate School Office, Dept 5305, 103 Race Hall, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403

Master of Arts in English Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships in English are awarded to students for one year with the possibility of renewal. The award is competitive and offered to academically promising students. Students must be full time (3 courses per semester) and maintain a 3.0 to continue to receive funding ($7,000) and tuition waver.

Assistantships in the English Department:

Tutorials: Students lead tutorial sections of English 1011 while working with the primary course instructor.

Research Assistant: Students work with professors in the English Department on various projects which can include primary and secondary research, journal editing, and data collection.

Instructor: After taking Teaching College Writing, a select few students will teach a section of Rhetoric and Composition I. This will only occur in the second year of the program after 18 hours of coursework.

Assistantships Outside of the English Department: Increasingly, departments outside of English award assistantships to our students. Some options include:

Writing Center: This assistantship includes training in Writing Center Theory and Practice as well as tutorial work with both graduate and undergraduate students.

Office of Partnerships and Sponsored Grants: This assistantship includes research and grant writing experience.

To be considered, please email the following documents to the Director of Graduate Studies (Rebecca-Jones01@utc.edu) by March 24, 2017 preferably as PDF files.

1) Graduate Assistantship Form, UTC Graduate School (http://www.utc.edu/graduate-school/student-resources/assistantships.php)

2) Letter of Interest and Experience

This letter should discuss your interest/s in the assistantships listed above, your career plans after completing the program, as well as any experience you have in writing and research that will be beneficial in determining the best possible placement.

3) Resume or CV