Senate Document Number 6600S

Date of Senate Approval 5/4/00

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document 53:   New Rules for MLA Theses and Projects.

Delete: Credit hour numbers and course descriptions for MLA 680 and MLA 690 on pages 133-4 of 1999-2000 catalog.

Add: (to replace the above deleted course descriptions):

680 Master's Project (1-3)
A scholarly research project, an original interpretive essay or a creative project in the arts or literature. Project to be chosen in consultation with the faculty member who will serve as its supervisor and approved by Graduate Council. Either three credits of MLA 680 or six credits of MLA 690 are required of all MLA candidates. (Grading S/U/IP)*

690 Master's Thesis (1-6)
A substantial research project and resulting original thesis, with topic chosen in consultation with the faculty member who will serve as the thesis director and approved by the Graduate Council. Thesis must be publicly defended by the candidate and accepted by the Thesis Committee and Graduate Council. Either three credits of MLA 680 or six credits of MLA 690 are required of all MLA candidates. (Grading S/U/IP)*

ALSO ADD: (after course description for MLA 680 on page 134):

681 Project Extension (1)
Required each semester of students who have not completed their project and are using university resources, but who have already registered for 3 credits of MLA 680. Does not count toward the 36 hours required for the degree. (Grading S/U) May be repeated as necessary.

ALSO ADD: (after course description for MLA 690 on page 134):

691 Thesis Extension (1)
Required each semester of students who have not completed their thesis and are using university resources, but who have already registered for 6 credits of MLA 690. Does not count toward the 36 hours required for the degree. (Grading S/U) May be repeated as necessary.

ALSO ADD: (at end of "Degree Requirements"section on page 132 of 1999-2000 catalog):

• Student must be enrolled for credit during semester in which last degree requirement is completed.

Impact Statement: The above changes do not affect major, minor or university requirements for undergraduate degree programs in any way. They affect only the MLA program. MLA students will henceforth be required to be enrolled for credit (either project or thesis credit, or project/thesis extension credit, or course credit) during the entire time (every semester, summer terms excluded) from their first registration for MLA 680/690 credit to the acceptance of their thesis or project. The only exception to this rule will come when a student petitions the program director for leave of absence for one or more semesters in which the student will use no university resources (including advisors and committees).

• There will be no impact on any other department or program.


• There will be no impact on program resources or course offering patterns.

Rationale: These changes are mandated by the UNC General Administration to bring the MLA program at UNCA into conformity with system-wide policy on credit hour requirements for master's theses and doctoral dissertations.