English Language and Literature (Master of Arts)

To complete the Master of Arts in English Language and Literature, a student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours as explained below with an overall cumulative grade point average of 5.0 (B) or better.  The program must be completed within six consecutive years.

Program Requirements

Fixed Requirement

1. English Studies (3 credits).
   ENG 500 - English Studies: Issues and Methods.  
    
   Flexible Requirements
    
2. Theory (3 credits).
   A course in literary, rhetorical or pedagogical theory (selected from ENG 563 , ENG 567 , ENG 570 , ENG 571 , or a theory course approved by the program director).
3. One course from each of the following areas (9 credits).
   1. Literature. ENG 522 , ENG 525 , ENG 526 , ENG 527 , ENG 532 , ENG 533 , ENG 534 , ENG 537 , ENG 538 , ENG 539 , ENG 555 .
   2. Linguistics and Language Studies. ENG 509 , ENG 549 ; LIN 520 , LIN 521 .
   3. Writing. ENG 560 , ENG 561 , ENG 562 , ENG 563 *, ENG 566 , ENG 567 *.
   4. *May not also be counted toward theory requirement.
4. Optional ENG 591 - Individual Study Experience.  One or two individual scholarship experiences (6-12 credits). Students may develop an individually-defined program of study, in consultation with the English Department. Programs may include, but are not limited to, the following (6 credits each):
   1. Individually-defined reading and examination.
   2. Primary research project.
   3. Thesis.
   4. Study program at a foreign university or accredited U.S. graduate program.
   5. Archival research project.
   6. Creative writing project.
   7. Professional internship.
5. Electives in English to bring total credit hours to 30.
6. Portfolio

Optional Concentration

To achieve concentration recognition on the transcript, the student must complete either three (3) courses or two (2) courses plus an Individual Scholarship Experience project in one of the following areas:

• American Literature
• British Literature
• Composition/Rhetoric
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics and language
• Pedagogy in English
• Multicultural Literature 
• Twentieth Century Studies
• Women’s and Gender Studies

Cognate Areas

Where appropriate, and after consultation with an advisor, students may fulfill program requirements with courses from cognate graduate areas such as Education, Social Sciences, and Liberal Studies.

Transfer of Credit

Up to six (6) semester credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Requests for transferring additional coursework may be made by submitting a petition to the program director.