English, MA

Location(s): Main Campus

The graduate program offers the Master of Arts (MA) in English. The MA program encourages students to develop a broad knowledge of English literature. The department offers two options for the MA in English: the Master of Arts in English, and the Master of Arts in English with a Certificate in Creative Writing. Candidates specify a literature or creative writing focus at the time of application. Students admitted with a creative focus are required to complete a creative thesis; students admitted with a literature focus may choose to complete a literary research thesis.

Admission Requirements

Qualified students holding a bachelor’s degree are eligible for admission to the program. An undergraduate major in English is desirable for admission. The English graduate admissions committee admits qualified students to the MA program based on their total records, including the personal statement, transcripts, recommendations, and a sample of their critical writing (10 to 20 pages). Applicants with a creative writing focus should so indicate on the front page of the application and must submit a portfolio of their creative work (not more than 25 pages of prose or verse) in addition to the critical writing sample.

The application deadline for fall admission to the MA is Jan. 27. The application deadline for spring admission to the MA is Nov. 15. All applicants for the MA should go to the graduate admissions website for the online application.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

Students pursuing the MA in English plan a program of study comprising at least nine graduate level courses (or 36 credits; 500-level or above).

Students with a focus on literary research are required to take:

One literature course before 1800
One course including literary theory
Seven additional topics courses

Students with a focus on creative writing are required to take:

One literature course before 1900
Three workshops or tutorials in creative writing
ENG 599, Thesis, for four credits
Four additional topics courses

In addition:

MA students may take no more than two appropriate courses from other Departments.
MA students may take no more than two courses with the same faculty member; this includes independent studies.
MA students may take no more than two independent studies; independent studies require consent from a faculty member and approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Thesis Requirement

Students with a focus on literary research may choose to plan a course of study that does not include the writing of a thesis; students with a focus on creative writing must write a master’s thesis.

The thesis is a substantial (50-70 pages) piece of original research, criticism, or creative work as appropriate for the student’s focus. Students completing a thesis must submit to their faculty advisor a plan that shows adequate preparation for their proposed thesis and a brief prospectus of the proposed investigation. The student must submit to the graduate director a signed approval from the faculty advisor. The graduate director designates a thesis committee consisting of two members of the faculty who supervise and approve the thesis, with the faculty advisor typically serving as the lead supervisor.

Students whose thesis plan has been approved by the advisor and the graduate director are required to register for Master’s Thesis ENG 599. Students may take ENG 599 for credit twice. When the thesis has been approved by the thesis committee and the graduate director, it should be submitted to the Graduate School. Theses must conform to the Graduate School requirements, as outlined in the Faculty and Student Graduate Degree Handbook.

Additional Information About the Program

The student must maintain at least a B (3.0) average to remain in the program; more than one C grade normally requires dismissal.

Residency Requirement: A student not in residence must register each semester to remain in good standing.

For more information on the English MA program, please refer to the Department of English website for more information. To apply to the English MA program, please visit the University Admissions website.