English, M.A.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for admission to the M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. degree programs in the Department of English must have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of upper-division undergraduate courses in English or an appropriate related discipline, with grades indicating ability for successful graduate work in the department. Applicants for all degrees must submit all application forms required by The Graduate School, a sample of academic writing, a statement of purpose, and at least two satisfactory letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their academic achievement.
To particularly well-qualified candidates, the Department offers the chance to apply for Direct Admission to the Ph.D. Program. All those applying for direct admission will also be considered for regular admission to the M.A. program.
An applicant who lacks adequate undergraduate course work may have to take up to 12 credit hours of 400-level literature or communication courses (depending on the degree emphasis sought) before the application will be considered.
The application deadline is January 1 for those wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships and fellowships. For all others the deadline is April 15.
Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
English, M.A. with an Emphasis in English and American Literature
The student must select one of the following areas for concentration: English literature before 1660, English literature after 1660, or American literature.
Requirements include the following:
Coursework (12 Hours)
- One course in American Literature
- One course in English Literature before 1660
- One course in English Literature after 1660
- One additional course in the Thesis Area
Five Electives (15 Hours)
Two may be taken outside the department.
Recommended Course
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 700 | Introduction to Graduate Study of English | 3 |
Thesis (3 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 799 | Thesis Preparation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Foreign Language
A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
English, M.A. with an Emphasis in Composition and Rhetoric
Requirements include the following:
Coursework (6 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 790 | Survey of Composition Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 791 | Introduction to Research on Written Composition | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Two Courses from the Following (6 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Special Topics in Composition (see workshop course restrictions) | ||
| Classical Rhetoric | ||
| Rhetorical Theory and Practice, Medieval to Modern | ||
| Modern Rhetorical Theory | ||
| The Teaching of Business and Technical Writing | ||
| Studies in Rhetoric and Composition | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
English and/or American Literature, 700-800 Level (6 Hours)
No more than one workshop course may be counted in the 30 hours of classroom credits; students wishing to emphasize technical writing should consult the graduate director about special conditions.
Electives (9 Hours)
Electives must be approved by the Composition and Rhetoric Committee.
Foreign Language
A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
Thesis (3 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 799 | Thesis Preparation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
English, M.A. with an Emphasis in Speech Communication
Requirements include the following:
Coursework (6 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPCH 700 | Introduction to the Advanced Study of Speech Communication & Rhetoric | 3 |
| SPCH 701 | Pedagogies of Speech Communication & Rhetoric | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Speech Communication (12 Hours)
Four additional courses in speech communication at the 700 or 800-level.
Electives (9 Hours)
Three electives at the 700 or 800-level reflecting the student’s particular professional or academic objectives; electives must be approved in advance by the student’s advisor.
Thesis (3 Hours)
Students may enroll in additional hours of SPCH 799, but only three hours count toward completion of the degree.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPCH 799 | Thesis Preparation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |