Written requests outlining the rationale for exemption should be addressed to the Department Head. The committee consists of the director and one other member of the graduate English faculty and one member of the graduate faculty from outside the department. The dean appoints an additional member to represent the graduate school. Top Examinations Students electing the emphasis in Creative Writing must take both a written exam and an oral exam. The written exam, which is normally taken during the final semester of coursework, is a take-home examination on the major genre.
Students write on two questions from a list of at least four or five.
The exam, prepared by the Director of Graduate Studies, is normally picked up at noon on a Thursday and returned by noon the following Monday. The student may consult relevant literature, but all work should be done by the student without benefit of review by others. Students who do not pass the examination may take it a second time, normally after the elapse of one semester. Each year a limited number of graduate assistantships are available for qualified students. To be eligible, students must have regular admission status certified by NMSU's Graduate School.