School of Fanfic General Studies


X-Files University
The XFU Course Catalogue
XFU Thesis Guidelines
The XFU Chris Carter Library
So you think you might want a degree in fanfiction from XFU? Before you go further, you should peruse the main XFU site. In particular, you should familiarize yourself with the basic XFU Thesis Guidelines, and you should read the Course Catalogue.

If you decide this is the place for you, then you should first read these general guidelines...


Requirements for earning a Bachelor of Science in Fanfic General Studies:

  1. Your thesis should be a fiction story of at least 10k in size. (There is one exception to the fiction requirement: if you would like to write a non-fiction piece on some element of fanfiction, contact Jaina Solo, head of the Department of Nonfiction Fanfiction.)

  2. The goal of the fanfic department is to build a substantial archive of work that has come about as the direct result of XFU. To that end, the fanfiction piece used as your thesis should be (1) a new work not previously archived at gossamer or posted to atxc or x-files-fanfic, or (2) a substantial rewrite/revision of an older work.

  3. In order to properly fall under the heading of General Studies, the story should involve one or more of the principal characters (Mulder, Scully, Skinner, and Krycek). Other characters, such as CSM or Frohike, may of course be used as well, but if you would prefer to write about them exclusively, consult the course catalogue for the appropriate department and contact that department head.

  4. Original characters are perfectly acceptable, as long as at least one of the Big Four make an appearance: Mulder, Scully, Skinner, or Krycek.

  5. All spins on the M&S relationship are welcome.



Procedure for Getting Your Degree:

First you must pick the department under which you think your fiction idea falls, and the faculty member you'd like to work with. Below are the departments within the School of Fanfic General Studies:

Department of Crossovers and Fantasy:
Roseanne, Department Head.
Department of Mulder/Scully Romance:
Aurora Fox, Department Head.
If you would like to write a story that is primarily an MSR (in other words, the romance is the primary focus of the story), this department is for you. If (1) romance is not the main element of the story, (2) it is simply assumed that M&S are romantically involved and this fact is only incidental to the plot, (3) there is UST incidental to the plot but no actual romance, or (4) M&S are not romantically involved, then this is probably not KW's jurisdiction.
Department of Nonfiction Fanfiction:
Jaina Solo, Department Head.
If you would like to write a non-fiction piece on some element of fanfiction, this is your department.
Department of Slash Fiction:
MJ, Department Head.
Slash fiction is the depiction in fanfic of a romantic same-sex relationship involving one or more of the major characters. Some examples are Mulder/Krycek, Mulder/Skinner, or Scully/other female. The School of Fanfic General Studies does not discriminate, and slash fiction is welcome. NOTE: MJ also carries the title of Teaching Assistant for the Department of Slashology/Gay Studies within the College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Department of Minor Mysteries:
Gillian Turner, Department Head.
This department is focused on the exploration, through fanfic, of possible (and most creative) resolutions of minor mysteries. Questions suggested by Gillian -- Why doesn't Mulder have a bed? (See Gillian's bachelor's thesis for that one! :) Why doesn't Scully have a desk? Why does Cancerman smoke? Why does Mulder have such an oral fixation with sunflower seeds? Why was Skinner was assigned to overlook the X-files? ...And any other minor mystery you can think of!

Department of Filksongs:
Reade, Department Head.
Brand New!

Department of Poetry:
Marita, Department Head.
Feeling poetic? You may submit any number of poems, and an analysis/critique for each piece to satisfy the 10K requirement. The analysis should not simply be an explanation of the "meaning" of the poem but should examine the techniques and elements behind the work.

Department of Case Files and General Fanfic:
Stacia Seaman, Department Head, and Gillian Turner, Teaching Assistant.
If your fanfic doesn't fall under any other department, it falls here! This includes such things as general case files, angst, humor, and whatever else your imagination desires.


  1. After making your pick, contact the faculty member of your choice.

  2. Submit your thesis after discussing it with your faculty member.

  3. The faculty member and/or TA will "grade" your thesis. For the School of Fanfic General Studies, this will consist mostly of beta-reading the work, offering helpful suggestions if necessary, and possibly asking that you resubmit your story after a rewrite.

  4. Once your thesis has been accepted, you graduate! Your thesis and your name are added to the archive of graduates, and you get your virtual diploma.

  5. After your thesis has been posted to the XFU archive, you are free to send it to atxc, x-files-fanfic, gossamer, and anywhere else you'd like. It would be nice if you would note in the intro that it was originally your thesis for XFU, but you aren't required to...



Want an advanced degree, either a Masters or a Doctorate? Check with your faculty member for specifics!