Graduate FAQ for Current Students

Columbia College Chicago Graduate Programs in Creative Writing—Fiction

Welcome to the Fiction Writing Department!

Before You Start Classes:

Make sure to attend the Graduate Student Orientation, which takes place in the last week in August. This is where you’ll register for classes, get your Fiction Writing Department Graduate Student Handbook, get information, and meet other new graduate students.

Now That You’ve Started:

Read the Graduate Student Handbook. The Handbook will be your first reference as you progress through the program and many answers to your questions can be found there. If you misplace your Handbook, please request another copy from the Fiction Writing Department Office. The edition of the handbook from the semester in which you are accepted is the version that applies to you.

Attend the Fiction Writing Department Grad Party in September. Here’s where you meet grad students who are further along in the program and where you’ll get to know other grad students in your class. You’ll meet the graduate faculty in a relaxed, social environment and get questions answered.

Get involved. Attend as many readings and events as possible. Story Week and Creative Nonfiction Week are just two of our many events. Come and read at Readings in the Raw, our graduate-only fiction reading. Have a meal at Fiction Writers at Lunch (or Dinner). Read and listen to great writing at the open-mike readings. Join the Fiction Writing Student Board, which sponsors readings and works with Story Week visiting writers and editors. Write for Fictionary, the Fiction Writing Department’s nationally distributed, student-run magazine.

The Fiction Writing Department is a friendly and welcoming community. However reserved you may feel, participating in these events will help your writing. Be an audience for your friends and show off your own work. Get the most out of your program.

As You Progress Through the Program:

Always Check Your Fiction Writing Department Graduate Student Handbook First then contact the Graduate Programs Director or your graduate advisor if your question is not answered in the Handbook.

During pre-registration advising, you’ll meet with a graduate faculty advisor to discuss the up-coming semester’s courses and the progress of your program. Your workshop instructor is always a good resource for program discussions during the semester, or you can make an appointment with the Director of Graduate Programs.

Timeline for Currently Enrolled Students by Degree Program

(click image for a larger version)

The Thesis

M.F.A. Students: (45 credit-hour program of study)

The M.F.A. thesis consists of a book-length, creative manuscript (novel, short stories, creative nonfiction, play script, or combination of these genres) of at least 200 pages and of publishable quality. The thesis material is developed over the course of your program of study.

Below is a brief explanation of the thesis deadlines and links to forms. You can refer to the timeline above or in your Handbook. Please refer to your Handbook for more detailed information. Please note that M.F.A. students have 7 years from the time of enrollment to complete the degree.

At 21 credit hours: we recommend that you consult with your workshop instructor (usually during your first Fiction Writing: Advanced class) to discuss possible thesis material.

At 30-39 credit hours/during your Thesis Development or last Advanced class: you need to request a thesis advisor from the graduate faculty. Direct your request to the Graduate Programs Director naming at least three (3) graduate faculty members as possible advisors. Once you're assigned an advisor, submit a thesis proposal to your advisor with a copy to the Graduate Programs Director. A description of the thesis proposal can be found in your Handbook.

At 30-39 credit hours: Fill out and submit your 401 Form to your thesis advisor. Instructions on how to fill out the form can be found in your Handbook. The 401 Form is required by the Graduate Office for graduation.

At 39 credit hours: Your Coursework is Completed!

Enroll for thesis credit. You’ll need 6 thesis hours to graduate. A minimum of 2 semesters is required to complete the thesis. Credit is variable and may be taken in increments before completing coursework, but you must register for at least one hour in the semester in which you begin work with an advisor and save at least one hour for the semester in which you intend to graduate.

At 39-45 credit hours: Work with advisor on thesis.

45 credit hours: As your thesis nears approval by your thesis advisor, submit a request for a thesis committee to the Graduate Programs Director.

Submit final thesis during or before the 14th week of the semester.
Prepare your thesis according to the Manuscript Preparation, Thesis Policy and Thesis Title Page guidelines.
Submit Thesis Abstract.
Sign and submit Thesis Reproduction Statement with your advisor’s copy of the thesis. Submit photocopies of the statement with your committee’s copy.
Submit Application for Graduation to the Columbia College Graduate Office.
Submit 3 clean, unmarked copies of your thesis with thesis abstract to your advisor: two (2) copies will be submitted to your committee members; one copy will be bound and placed in the Special Collections of the Columbia College Library.

Important: In order for the thesis to be approved by the thesis advisor and committee, all copies of the thesis must have a) the proper Thesis Format, b) the Thesis Abstract, and c) the original, signed Thesis Reproduction Statement with the advisor’s copy of the thesis and photocopies included in the committee’s copy of the thesis.

Additional bound copies of your thesis can be purchased for $50.00 each. If you plan to purchase your own bound thesis, please provide a clean, unmarked copy of your thesis to the Fiction Writing Office.

M.A. in the Teaching of Writing Students: (39 credit-hour program of study)

For M.A. students, the thesis consists of a creative manuscript of at least 75 pages and of publishable quality, as well as a pedagogical thesis (article or monograph) on an aspect of teaching writing based on an approved research project. Of the 39 credit hours for the M.A., six (6) are thesis hours. Please consult your Handbook for a more detailed description. M.A. students have 5 years from the time of enrollment to complete their degree.

Below is a brief explanation of the thesis deadlines and links to forms. You can refer to the timeline above or in your Handbook. Please refer to your Handbook for more detailed information

The first 6-9 credit hours of study are devoted to the development of your writing.

At 27 credit hours: Fill out and submit your 401 Form to your thesis advisor. Instructions on how to fill out the form can be found in your Handbook.

At 27-33 credit hours or during your last Advanced class, you need to request a thesis advisor from the graduate faculty. Direct a request to the Graduate Programs Director naming at least three (3) graduate faculty members as possible advisors. You’ll need to request two (2) thesis advisors from the graduate faculty, one for the creative portion of your thesis and one for the pedagogical portion. Credit is variable and may be taken in increments before completing coursework, but you must register for at least one hour in the semester in which you begin work with an advisor and save at least one hour for the semester in which you intend to graduate.

At 33 credit hours: You’ve Completed Your Coursework!

After you’re assigned your advisors, submit your thesis proposals to your thesis advisors and submit a copy to the Graduate Programs Director.

At 33-39 credit hours: As your thesis nears approval by your thesis advisor, submit a request for a thesis committee to the Graduate Program Director. Work with advisors on thesis.

Submit final thesis during or before the 14th week of the semester.
Prepare your thesis according to the Manuscript Preparation, Thesis Policy and Thesis Title Page guidelines.
Submit Thesis Abstract.
Sign and submit Thesis Reproduction Statement with your advisor’s copy of the thesis. Submit photocopies of the statement with your committee’s copy.
Submit Application for Graduation to the Columbia College Graduate Office.
Submit 3 clean, unmarked copies of your thesis with thesis abstract to your advisor: two (2) copies will be submitted to your committee members; one copy will be bound free of charge and placed in the Special Collections of the Columbia College Library.

Congratulations! You've graduated!

Combined M.A. in the Teaching of Writing/M.F.A. in Creative Writing-Fiction: (63 Credit Hour Program of Study)

The Thesis:

For Combined Degree students, the thesis will fulfill the creative thesis requirements of the M.F.A. program (a book-length, creative manuscript of at least 200 pages) as well as the pedagogy portion (75 pages) of the M.A. program. Of the 63 credit hours, six (6) are creative thesis hours and three (3) are pedagogical thesis hours.

Important Information for all Combined Degree students. The following outline is for general informational purposes only. Combined Degree students must work closely with a graduate faculty advisor or with the Graduate Programs Director on an ongoing basis to discuss the progress and structure of their programs. The order in which you complete each degree may vary. Some students may choose to receive the M.F.A. first, some may choose the M.A., depending on need.

You can refer to the timeline above or in your Handbook. Please check your Handbook for more detailed information.

The first 6-9 credit hours are devoted to the development of your writing.

Deadlines are the same as for the M.F.A. in Creative Writing-Fiction except:

At 12 credit hours you must apply and be accepted as a potential Practice Teaching candidate.

As a combined degree student, you’ll be taking all the required courses for the M.A. in the Teaching of Writing plus 9 additional hours of Fiction Writing Workshops. You’re also required to take the 9 hours of Critical Reading and Writing required for the M.F.A. degree.

The semester before you complete your fiction coursework, submit a request for a thesis advisor from the graduate faculty. Direct your request to the Graduate Programs Director naming at least three (3) graduate faculty members as possible advisors for the creative thesis. The semester before you complete your pedagogical coursework, submit a request to the Graduate Programs Director naming at least three (3) graduate faculty members as possible thesis advisors for the pedagogical thesis. Thesis credit is variable and may be taken in increments before completing coursework, but you must register for at least one hour in the semester in which you begin work with an advisor and save at least one hour for the semester in which you intend to graduate.

After you’re assigned your advisors, submit your thesis proposals to your thesis advisors and submit a copy to the Graduate Programs Director.

Work with thesis advisor(s).

When your thesis advisors have approved your theses, submit a request to the Graduate Programs Director for your thesis committees. Submit a request for separate thesis committees for both the pedagogical and creative thesis. Each of your thesis committees will consist of two graduate faculty members.

As your theses near approval by your thesis advisor(s), submit a request for a thesis committee to the Graduate Programs Director.

Submit final thesis during or before the 14th week of the semester.
Prepare your thesis according to the Manuscript Preparation, Thesis Policy and Thesis Title Page guidelines.
Submit Thesis Abstract.
Sign and submit Thesis Reproduction Statement with your advisor’s copy of the thesis. Submit photocopies of the statement with your committee’s copy.
Submit Application for Graduation to the Columbia College Graduate Office.
Submit 3 clean, unmarked copies of your thesis with thesis abstract to your advisor: two (2) copies will be submitted to your committee members; one copy will be bound free of charge and placed in the Special Collections of the Columbia College Library.

Important: In order for the thesis to be approved by the thesis advisor and committee, all copies of the thesis must have a) the proper Thesis Format, b) the Thesis Abstract, and c) the original, signed Thesis Reproduction Statement with the advisor’s copy of the thesis and photocopies included in the committee’s copy of the thesis.

63 credit hours: Congratulations! You’ve Graduated!

Questions or comments? Please contact the Fiction Writing Department Graduate Programs Director at apride@colum.edu or call 312-344-7611.