English–M.A.

General Information

The Master of Arts degree in English is designed to meet the needs of elementary and secondary teachers seeking permanent certification, people interested in post-secondary teaching, and those contemplating further study of English literature and language at PhD-granting institutions.

Admission

The student intending to work for an MA in English must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Undergraduate work in English is assumed, usually at the level of 24 to 36 credits (eight to twelve 3-credit courses).

Applicants should submit two references (from undergraduate teachers or from present colleagues), a transcript, and may submit scores from the Aptitude and Achievement Tests of the Graduate Record Examination.

English (30 cr)

A. Core Requirements (9 cr)

B. Electives (15 cr)

At least three hours must be taken from categories 1 and 2 below:

Courses based upon an HISTORICAL approach to literary study
Courses based upon a GENRE approach to literary study
Linguistic Studies (recommended for those who plan to teach English)

One free elective to be chosen from graduate English courses or (with permission of the English Graduate Committee) from graduate courses taught by another department.

C. Culminating Tracks (6 cr)

Candidates choose one of the following three tracks:

Two three-hour teaching internships, each in a different undergraduate English course; each requiring a researched written commentary on the work of the semester.
Six hours combining course work and independent study, chosen under advisement to strengthen the student’s knowledge of literature and language, followed by a culminating examination.
MA Thesis

Additional Requirements

The student must maintain a “B” average in course work. Students may not begin their culminating track (Part C) without a “B” average or better.

Foreign language requirement: There is no longer a foreign language requirement.

Students should begin the process of choosing their culminating tracks no later than the completion of 12 hours of credit, in order to make satisfactory arrangements with faculty members and to receive adequate advice from the graduate committee.

Arrangements for teaching internships, including a draft course contract signed by student and prospective faculty member, should be filed with the English Department Graduate Committee by the middle of the semester preceding that in which the internship will take place.

Those electing the option to strengthen their knowledge will need to describe and justify their plans at least two semesters before their scheduled examination takes place, in order that reading lists, course work, and examination topics can be prepared.

Students electing to write a thesis will need to file an application with the English Department Graduate Committee, with topic, preliminary bibliography, and requested readers at least two semesters before anticipated completion. Each thesis will have a faculty director and two outside readers, one of whom may (with agreement by the Graduate Committee) be a member of the graduate faculty outside the English Department.

Note:

English graduate courses will normally be offered during Fall and Spring semesters in evenings or very late afternoons. Summer offerings may be presented during the day. It is anticipated that most students will take 12 hours of credit each academic year because of pressures of their employment elsewhere. Normal progress toward the degree will, then, take a little less than three years, with one course taken each semester and two during the summer sessions, but individual variations from this pattern are, of course, to be expected.