By finals week of the 4th semester

The student requests a tenured/tenure track faculty member serve as their Degree Committee Chair. Upon the consent of the faculty member(s) to serve, the student begins work on a thesis abstract (see below) and on assembling a full committee of 4 members.

On or before the 2nd Friday, 5th semester.

Committee Members chosen, MFA Committee form signed
The student selects the rest of the Degree Committee. Four members from the Faculty are required: the Degree Committee Chair and at least two other UICB affiliated Faculty. Faculty from other departments, Adjunct Faculty, Lecturers, and Visiting Professors may serve on degree committees, per discussion between the student and the Degree Committee Chair. At least two of the committee members must be tenured or tenure track.

Working Abstract (submitted to committee members)
Students may wish to prepare the abstract prior to this date in order to provide potential committee members sense of their thesis plan when requesting their participation on the Thesis Committee.

On or before week 5 of 5th semester

Student holds a meeting with the full Degree Committee.

On or before finals week, 5th semester

Detailed Thesis outline due to all committee members.
Student submits a detailed outline of the written thesis to the committee members.