Master of Arts in English
The M.A. in English has concentrations in literature, rhetoric and composition, and literature and literary theory.
The two literature-focused concentrations provide students with a broad knowledge of literatures in English across a range of time periods, as well as an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of the discipline. This program has special strengths in ecocriticism and posthuman studies, nineteenth-century U.S. literature, science fiction & fantasy, and Victorian literature.
The concentration in rhetoric and composition provides students with a broad knowledge of writing and the teaching of writing, including the study of composing across multiple genres, media and situations. This program has special strengths in genre and language theory, multimodality and digital rhetorics, public rhetoric, and writing pedagogy.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Admission
To be admitted to any of the department’s graduate degree tracks, a student must have a strong undergraduate record, particularly in the humanities. Applicants are expected to have some familiarity with British and American literary history and the work of the major writers in English. Applicants for graduate work in literary studies and rhetoric-composition studies should be able to demonstrate, with writing samples, their ability to produce advanced analytical and interpretive scholarly writing. For complete admission information, see below.
In addition to the application itself, please submit the following supplemental materials:
- A resumé or curriculum vitae.
- A statement of approximately 500 words describing your interests, training, experience (including teaching experience), academic ability, and goals.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters should, if possible, speak to potential as a teacher, although they should primarily be focused on academic and scholarly ability. Recommenders are required to submit their letters electronically.
- M.A. applicants must submit two examples of academic writing. Academic sample length can vary--between 8 and 20 pages is generally recommended.
All applicants must submit their graduate application online. All supplemental materials (transcripts, writing samples, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be attached electronically and submitted with the online application.
M.A. in English Degree Requirements
The master of arts in English requires a total of 30 hours and allows for the following 3 degree completion options.
1. Master’s thesis defense
2. Portfolio defense
3. Final oral exam
Students are not permitted to take courses at the 500 level or below. No more than 6 hours may be taken at the 600 level. ENGL 998 does not count as a seminar or 900-level class. 2 courses (6 hours) outside the department may be included with approval of the director of graduate studies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| ENGL 800 | Methods, Theory, and Professionalism | 3 |
| ENGL 801 | Study and Teaching of Writing | 3 |
| 12 hours of coursework in a chosen concentration | 12 | |
| 6 hours of ENGL Seminars at the 900+ level | 6 | |
| Final Project | 6 | |
ENGL 899- MA/MFA Thesis (6 hours) | ||
ENGL 898- Portfolio Preparation (6 hours) | ||
ENGL 897- Exam Preparation (3 hours) + ENGL elective at 700+ (3 hours) | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Master's Thesis Final Defense
Oral presentation and defense of a thesis to a faculty committee. The thesis consists of a single, scholarly piece of writing approximately 30 to 40 pages in length. The committee should meet the requirements outlined in the Office of Graduate Studies' Master's Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.
Portfolio Defense
Oral presentation and defense of a portfolio of work to a faculty committee. The portfolio is comprised of shorter scholarly pieces, as agreed upon by the committee, plus a brief cover essay of 3-5 pages, all totaling 40 to 50 pages of writing. The committee should meet the requirements outlined in the Office of Graduate Studies' Master's Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.
Final Oral Exam
Oral presentation and examination of a reading list with a faculty committee. The reading list must be 30 texts long and be approved by the committee. Requirements for the composition of the lists are determined by concentration, as noted below. The committee should meet the requirements outlined in the Office of Graduate Studies' Master's Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.
Literature: At least 6 texts from before 1700; at least 6 texts from 1700-1900; and at least 6 texts from 1900-present.
Literature and Literary Theory: At least 6 texts pre-1800; at least 6 texts post-1800; and at least 12 texts in theory.
Rhetoric and Composition: A 15-item exam list of works in rhetoric and composition and a 15-item exam list of works in a second area: literature, literary theory, English language studies, or specialty within rhetoric and composition.
Literature Concentration
Students must select 3 courses from each area below, plus a 4th course from any of the areas.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1700 courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Renaissance English Literature: _____ | ||
| Milton | ||
| Shakespeare: _____ | ||
| American Literature to 1900: _____ | ||
| 1700 to 1900 courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Romantic Literature: _____ | ||
| Victorian LIterature: ______ | ||
| British Literature of the19th Century: _____ | ||
| American Literature to 1900: _____ | ||
| Post-1900 courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Topics in Early Modern Literature: _____ | ||
| British Literature of the 20th Century: _____ | ||
| American Literature after 1900: _____ | ||
| One course from any of the areas above | 3 | |
| Other courses may qualify pending approval of the director of graduate studies | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Literature and Literary Theory Concentration
Students must select 4 courses from the options below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1800 courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Renaissance English Literature: _____ | ||
| Milton | ||
| Romantic Literature: _____ | ||
| Shakespeare: _____ | ||
| American Literature to 1900: _____ | ||
| Post-1800 courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Victorian LIterature: ______ | ||
| Topics in Early Modern Literature: _____ | ||
| British Literature of the19th Century: _____ | ||
| British Literature of the 20th Century: _____ | ||
| American Literature to 1900: _____ | ||
| American Literature after 1900: _____ | ||
| Literary Theory courses (Choose 2) | 6 | |
| Critical Theory: Problems and Principles: _____ | ||
| Seminar in Literary Criticism: _____ | ||
| Other courses may qualify pending approval of the director of graduate studies | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Rhetoric and Composition Concentration
Students must select 4 courses from the options below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Studies courses (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Critical Theory: Problems and Principles: _____ | ||
| Composition Studies | ||
| Topics in Composition Studies and Rhetoric: _____ | ||
| English Language Seminars (Choose 1) | 3 | |
| Seminar in Composition Theory: _____ | ||
| Seminar in the English Language: _____ | ||
| Other Coursework Options | 6 | |
| Students who choose the Final Oral Exam option must take 2 additional courses, including at least 1 seminar | ||
| Renaissance English Literature: _____ | ||
| Milton | ||
| Romantic Literature: _____ | ||
| Victorian LIterature: ______ | ||
| Shakespeare: _____ | ||
| Topics in Early Modern Literature: _____ | ||
| British Literature of the19th Century: _____ | ||
| British Literature of the 20th Century: _____ | ||
| Topics in Literatures of Africa and the African Diaspora: _____ | ||
| American Literature to 1900: _____ | ||
| American Literature after 1900: _____ | ||
| Seminar in Literary Criticism: _____ | ||
| Seminar in American Literature: _____ | ||
| Seminar in Literatures of Africa and the African Diaspora: _____ | ||
| Other courses may qualify pending approval of the director of graduate studies | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Sample degree plans for the MA degree in English with the following concentrations can be found here: MA in English with concentration in Literature, MA in English with concentration in Literature and Literary Theory, MA in English with concentration in Rhetoric and Composition, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of several major fields of literary, cultural, and/or rhetorical expression.
- write clearly and effectively in various scholarly modes and contexts.
- apply relevant theories, methodologies, and analytical practices that address fundamental questions in their primary area of study.
- understand and appreciate the development, culture, and diversity of societies, past and present, through the study of primary and secondary texts.