The M.A. in English provides a strong grounding in scholarly methods and in theory, making it an ideal preparation for doctoral study in disciplinary or interdisciplinary programs. M.A. graduates in English pursue careers in journalism, educational administration and services, publishing, and many business fields that demand writing and communication skills. The M.A. in English is also useful for prospective or experienced teachers who want both to sharpen their ability to teach literature and writing, and to advance professionally.

Admission Procedures

For M.A., we consider four different admission criteria: 1) GPA; 2) GRE; 3) writing sample; and 4) letters of recommendation. Prospective students should submit all the required materials and scores i.e. official transcripts, GRE scores, a writing sample, and recommendation letters in order for their application to be processed. All criteria are considered together, in a holistic way. No single factor will eliminate a prospective student from consideration. For unconditional admission, candidates must meet the following standards for at least three of the four criteria.

Criteria for Admission: M.A. Program

1. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate work, with a minimum of 3.4 in the English major or upper-level English courses.
2. GRE scores: a minimum of 500 on the old verbal scale or at least 153 on the new verbal scale and a score of 4.5 on analytic writing. We will not consider the math scores. We do not require the English subject test.
3. A writing sample of 10 to 15 pages that demonstrates a sophisticated prose style and the ability to construct complex arguments.
4. Three letters of recommendation that attest to the prospective student's intellectual and scholarly potential.
5. At least two of these should be from former professors.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in English has thesis and non-thesis options. Under either the thesis or the non-thesis option, 5300: Theory and Practice in English Studies is required. It must be taken within a student's first 12 hours of study. Enrollment requires the approval of the Graduate Advisor in English.

The thesis option is a 30 hour program and requires 24 hours of coursework (a three hour core course and 21 hours of electives) and at least six hours of thesis. The degree culminates with the defense of thesis. Students must apply for the thesis option during their 24th hour of coursework. A student who elects to write a thesis must select a topic in consultation with his/her thesis director. Before the student registers for thesis, a Thesis Committee (a director and two readers) must be established and the thesis prospectus must be approved by the Thesis Committee.

The non-thesis option requires a 36 hour program of coursework (a three hour core course and 33 hours of electives) and a comprehensive examination on coursework.

Under either thesis or non-thesis option, the coursework of the master's candidate must be approved in advance by the Graduate Advisor, who should be consulted on all problems related to the student's program. New students must consult with the Graduate Advisor to obtain additional program requirements and a copy of the English Graduate Student Handbook. Regular counseling sessions will be scheduled each year. Notification of specific time and place will be sent to all students who have been accepted into the graduate program.

Graduate standing is prerequisite for the courses listed below. Courses so designated may be repeated for credit as often as their subject matter changes. The titles are general descriptions. Students should consult the Department of English each semester for more specific information about the individual offerings.

Documents

Graduate Handbook