Graduate Studies

MA

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. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook for information about policies, resources, and guidelines.

GRE WAIVER

UT Arlington undergraduates whose GPA equals or exceeds the minimum described above and who have graduated in the last three years with a major in English (or closely related program) qualify for a waiver of the GRE admissions requirement.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• The program has a Non-Thesis/Portfolio and a Thesis track. 
• All MA students must take two required core courses during the first 12 hours of graduate study: ENGL 5300: The Profession of English Studies and ENGL 5310: Introduction to Critical Theory. 
• All other courses are electives, and students are encouraged to consult with the Director of Graduate Studies and the chair of their Portfolio or Thesis committee to select classes that will benefit their academic or professional goals. 
• Students who chose the Non-Thesis/Portfolio track will complete 36 hours of coursework (12 courses), compose a portfolio of their work under the direction of their committee, and successfully defend their portfolio in order to complete their degrees. 
• Students who chose the Thesis option will complete 24 hours of coursework and a minimum of 6 hours of thesis credit (30 hours total), conduct original research and compose a thesis under the direction of their supervisor and committee, and successfully defend their thesis in order to complete their degrees. 

PhD

The doctoral program in English prepares students at the most advanced stage in the interpretation and composition of texts. The program emphasizes rigorous critical study in the fields of rhetoric, composition, critical theory, cultural studies, pedagogy and literary studies. Rather than offering separate tracks, the program allows the student in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and the student's dissertation committees to design a program of work that best suits their particular scholarly interests and career goals. The combination of a diversity of course offerings, required and elected courses, and the requirement that each student defines a focus that reflects his or her intellectual and career interests provides students with the flexibility to adapt to changes in English studies. Specifically, the English doctoral program prepares students for careers in writing, including digital media and technical writing, as well as in teaching in community colleges, small colleges or regional state universities. The department trains students for college-level teaching several ways, but most importantly, by offering graduate courses in the teaching of literature and the teaching of composition. Doctoral students in English present papers at scholarly conferences, publish essays in scholarly journals and participate in other professional activities. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook for information about policies, resources, and guidelines.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• The PhD requires 30 credit hours of coursework beyond the MA, followed by a minimum of 9 hours of dissertation work. 
• Students should take two required core courses during the first 12 hours of graduate study: ENGL 5300: The Profession of English Studies and ENGL 5310: Introduction to Critical Theory, unless they have already taken and passed these courses while in the MA program. 
• All students are also required to take ENGL 5311: Foundations of Rhetoric and Composition or ENGL 5359: Argumentation Theory. 
• All other courses are electives, and students are encouraged to consult with the Director of Graduate Studies and the chair of their dissertation committee to construct a coherent focus for their coursework in preparation for their comprehensive examinations. 
• In consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and/or the Graduate Coordinator, students may take up to 9 hours of coursework outside the English Department. 
• The PhD program in English requires basic proficiency in one natural language other than English, which can be satisfied in a variety of ways. Please consult the Graduate Handbook for details. 
• After completing coursework and satisfying the foreign language requirement, the student will take a written comprehensive examination or comps. 
• After passing comps, students will conduct research and compose a dissertation under the direction of their supervisor and committee. The dissertation must be an original, substantial, and significant contribution to a scholarly field. 
• The conclusion of the PhD process is a defense of the dissertation, an oral examination conducted by the members of the dissertation committee. 
• For more specific information regarding degree requirements, please consult the Graduate Handbook of the Department of English.