Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

English, M.A.


Admission Requirements

  • Comply with the regular Admission Requirements  of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
  • have either:
    1. a bachelor’s degree in English, or
    2. a minimum of 30 credit hours in undergraduate English courses, or equivalents, demonstrating broad familiarity with literature in English, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0.  Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

All Applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and fee.  
  2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
  3. A statement of purpose describing their interest in the program (and if applying for a teaching assistantship, their preparedness for teaching).
  4. A resume or curriculum vitae.
  5. A 10- to 20-page writing sample consisting of one or two critical essays on a topic, or topics, within the field of English, or a related field.
  6. Three letters of recommendation that speak to their academic abilities (and if applying for a teaching assistantship their potential as a teacher).

Those applying for a graduate assistantship must also include 

Application Due Dates

For full consideration, applicants should apply by February 1 for Fall semester admission (and teaching assistantship consideration) and by September 1 for Winter semester admission.

MA in English Curriculum


For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the English  department page.

Total Credits Required 32 Credits


Required Course 4 Credits


Concentration 16-28 Credits


Choose: 1) Literature, 2) Writing and Literacy Studies, or 3) Literature and theEnvironment (see below)

General Electives 0-12 Credits


Choose from 400 and 500 level courses approved for graduate credit. Courses taken outside the English Department must be approved by the Program Director.  Students who are granted teaching assistantships are required to take EN 509 - Teaching Colloquium  (4 cr.) during their first semester. This course will count as a General Elective.

Capstone Project 0-8*


*Up to 4 credits in EN 591  or up to 8 credits in EN 599  may be counted toward capstone requirement. EN 592  is a zero-credit capstone; students who choose this option must take additional coursework. The capstone must relate to the chosen concentration.

Choose one course from the following; see descriptions below:

Literature Concentration 16-28 Credits


Required Courses 8 Credits

Choose 8 credits from the following:

Concentration Electives 8-20 Credits

EN 570 , EN 580 , and EN 590  can each be counted as a requirement or as an elective but not as both.  No more than 4 credits at the 400-level may count toward the concentration.

Choose 8-20 credits from the following:

Writing and Literacy Studies Concentration 16-24 Credits


Literature and the Environment Concentration 16-20 Credits


Required Course 4 Credits

Concentration Electives 8-12 Credits

At least 4 credits of concentration electives must be taken at the 500 level.

Graduation Requirements


Graduates must meet the requirements  of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

  • Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Successfully complete capstone practicum, project, professional essay, or thesis