In Criminology at SFU:
Students may complete a traditional MA by coursework and thesis, or choose to do an MA by coursework, practicum, and project paper. An MA in Applied Legal Studies is also available in conjunction with the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia.
In English at SFU http://www.english.sfu.ca/grad/programs/master_of_arts
M.A. students may choose one of three program options:
Option 1 Coursework M.A.:
M.A. Paper/Project
Students choose a paper from one of their six courses to revise in conjunction with the faculty member who taught the course. It is expected that such revision would include a broadened research base and additional work beyond that required for the original paper/project. The student reworks the paper/project with the aim of improving the likelihood of publication. The paper/project will be of a length that meets the typical requirement of journal publication (20 – 25 pages). Students should consult with the Graduate Chair about selecting a supervisor, and the student and supervising faculty will consult on the choice of a second reader.
The paper or project, which is revised and expanded for publication, is read by two faculty who, together, assign a grade of Pass with Distinction/Pass/Fail. The paper or project is completed and submitted for evaluation no later than the end of the term following coursework completion. A student who fails may be permitted a second and final attempt.
Option 2 Thesis M.A.: Students take four courses plus English 880 & 881 (including a pre-twentieth-century literature course), write a thesis of about 100 pages, and defend it in an oral examination (Engl. 890 – M.A. Thesis).
Option 3. Specialty M.A in Print Culture: For the specialty M.A. in Print Culture, students take six courses plus English 880 & 881, one of which must be English 820 and three others which carry the Print Culture designation, and complete an extended essay of 20-25 pages (Engl. 891 – M.A. paper or project).
Specifics around Supervision:
1.6.3 Senior Supervisor
For degrees that culminate in a thesis, the senior supervisor must be a ‘tenure-track‘ Simon Fraser University faculty member at the rank of assistant professor or above. Associate members may serve as the senior supervisor in their affiliated academic units at the discretion of the academic unit ‘s graduate program committee. Adjunct faculty members may not serve as the senior supervisor but can be co-supervisors.
For degrees that culminate in a project, extended essay, field or comprehensive examination, the senior supervisor must be a Simon Fraser University faculty member deemed to be qualified by the academic unit’s graduate studies committee and approved by the dean of graduate studies.
In consultation with the student, the graduate program committee will appoint a senior supervisor as soon as possible after admission to the graduate program. Normally, this appointment shall be made no later than the beginning of the second term of full time equivalent enrolment after the student’s admission. The senior supervisor is the person principally responsible for supervising the student throughout the degree program. A senior supervisor must hold the rank of assistant professor or above at Simon Fraser University.
A senior supervisor who is planning to be off campus for more than three months shall arrange for proper supervision of the student during this absence. The graduate program committee and the dean of graduate studies shall be informed in writing of the arrangement.
A senior supervisor is not required for students in a graduate diploma program. The director of a diploma program is responsible for roles normally assigned to the senior supervisor (e.g., advising students, signing forms).
1.6.4 Supervisory Committee
A supervisory committee is not required for students in graduate diploma programs or in degree programs that culminate in an extended essay, field or comprehensive examination.
In degree programs in which there is a requirement for a thesis or a project, a supervisory committee must be established. For students in master’s degree programs that culminate in an extended essay, field or comprehensive examination, the senior supervisor alone may comprise the supervisory committee.
Where a supervisory committee requires members in addition to the senior supervisor, the senior supervisor, in consultation with the student, shall recommend the composition of the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee consists of the senior supervisor and at least one other person. Normally, this recommendation shall be made during the same term in which the senior supervisor is appointed.
At least one member of the committee (in addition to the senior supervisor) must normally be a faculty member or an adjunct professor or a research associate at Simon Fraser University. When deemed appropriate by the faculty graduate studies committee and the dean of graduate studies, other member(s) of the supervisory committee may be other suitably qualified person(s). A recommendation for a supervisory committee that includes a person who is not a faculty member at Simon Fraser University should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae of that person.
http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/future/before-you-apply/FindingSupervisor.html
The composition of the supervisory committee, for which the senior supervisor is chair, shall be approved by the graduate program committee and sent to the dean of graduate studies for final approval. It shall be sent to the faculty graduate studies committee for information.
The supervisory committee is responsible for helping the student develop a program of study leading to a degree and for reporting to the graduate program committee at least once a year on the student’s progress towards completing the degree requirements. The supervisory committee shall be available to the student for consultation on a regular basis.
SFU has two types of graduate programs: research-based and professional programs.
Most specialty professional programs such as the Executive MBA or many Education master’s programs are based on course work, projects and/or examinations and do not require you to have a senior supervisor.
If you’re planning to apply to a research-based graduate program, we recommend that you research your target program and contact a potential supervisor before you begin the application process.
In addition, most Faculty of Science graduate programsrequire that you have a “sponsoring” faculty member before beginning your application to graduate school at SFU.