English Language and Literature, Master of Arts (M.A.)

The M.A. degree program requires 30 credit hours of graduate work distributed to assure coverage of major historical fields. The student either will take 27 credit hours of coursework, at least 3 credit hours of formal advising, and do a capstone writing project. The department also offers a special M.A. with a Concentration in Composition and Rhetoric; this specialization has the same requirements as the M.A. degree in literature, but balances courses in literature with courses in the theory of composition and rhetoric. A third specialization is designed to be part-time for secondary educators looking to receive an M.A. in English. This specialization has the same requirements as the other programs, but has additional space to take courses in education and pedagogy.

Literature concentration

Course Title Credits
ENGL601Introduction to Graduate Studies3
ENGL679Professional and Career Mentoring for Master's Students3
ENGL 798: M.A. Non-thesis Research3
At least two courses in literatures of at least two of any of the following periods: (1) Beginnings and Medieval; (2) Early Modern; (3) Long 18th Century; (4) Nineteenth Century6
At least two courses in literatures of at least two of the following periods: (1) Modern; (2) Contemporary6
Three courses of electives (ENGL 602 is highly recommended)9
Successful completion of a Capstone Project
Total Credits30

Writing studies and rhetoric concentration

Course Title Credits
ENGL601Introduction to Graduate Studies3
ENGL679Professional and Career Mentoring for Master's Students3
ENGL 798: M.A. Non-thesis Research to be taken with a member of the LWR faculty3
At least four courses in Language, Writing, and Rhetoric, or in a related field, selected under the guidance of the LWR advisor (at least 6 of these must be fulfilled in the English Department)12
At least three courses of electives9
Selection of an advisor from the LWR faculty
Successful completion of a Capstone Project
Total Credits30

Track for English teachers

Course Title Credits
ENGL601Introduction to Graduate Studies3
ENGL679Professional and Career Mentoring for Master's Students3
ENGL 798: M.A. Non-thesis Research3
1 course in pre-1900 literatures of any of the following periods: (1) Beginnings and Medieval; (2) Early Modern; (3) Long 18th Century; (4) Nineteenth Century3
1 course in post-1900 literatures of any of the following periods: (1) Modern; (2) Contemporary3
3 courses in English electives9
Up to 2 courses in Education electives6
Successful completion of a Capstone Project
Total Credits30