Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in English offers students broad learning in English studies while providing concentrated study in one area.

The English major comprises the following concentrations:

The Concentration for Teachers is for educators interested in advanced study of literature and writing. Coursework focuses on current scholarship and approaches to literature and writing. While not a degree in literary and composition pedagogy, the concentration is designed to encourage the application of current literary and writing research to the work responsibilities of the practicing teacher.

The Literature and Writing concentration prepares students for further graduate study in English and related fields, for professional training in such fields as library and information science and for careers in teaching. The program achieves this goal with distribution requirements, electives and a required focus in either literary traditions, critical theory or rhetoric and composition.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Writing sample (8-15 pages) relevant to the field of study (writing sample waived for Concentration for Teachers)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 82 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: January 15
    Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the literary texts they read and interpret.
2. Demonstrate how to write coherently and clearly about research topics and other topics.
3. Demonstrate an understanding on how disciplines are interconnected.
4. Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

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Students who will serve as graduate assistants are required to take ENG 61094. Students who are not graduate assistants do not have to take the course; however, they must complete an additional 3 credit hours of additional coursework to meet the minimum 33 credit hours to graduate.

Concentration for Teachers Concentration Requirements

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Elective courses may include 9 credit hours taken outside the Department of English, 6 credit hours of graduate workshops, and 6 credit hours of master's project.

Literature and Writing Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to complete 33 credit hours of graded coursework to earn the M.A. degree.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus