About This Program
The English M.A. program offers advanced study in literature, writing and critical thinking. With a focus on small class sizes and mentorship from experienced faculty, you will hone your analytical and creative skills and advance your career opportunities. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- 2.1% slower than the average
- 81,300 number of jobs
- $69,000 potential earnings
Proofreaders and copy markers
- -2.7% decline
- 10,300 number of jobs
- $41,140 potential earnings
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- 3.8% about as fast as the average
- 1,050,800 number of jobs
- $62,870 potential earnings
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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 to waive) by earning one of the following:1
- Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 DET score
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
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the literary texts they read and interpret.
- Demonstrate how to write coherently and clearly about research topics and other topics.
- Demonstrate an understanding on how disciplines are interconnected.
- Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
- Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.
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 program 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.
