COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (MA) in English Literature at Wichita State University is a 30-credit-hour graduate program designed to provide advanced training in literary study, research, and critical analysis, while offering flexibility through either a thesis or portfolio completion option depending on a student’s academic and professional goals. The curriculum is structured around core requirements that include ENGL 700 Introduction to Graduate Study in English and 12 credit hours of period-based literary seminars, with required coverage of both pre-20th century and post-20th century literature as well as at least one seminar each in British and American literary traditions, ensuring broad historical and cultural grounding in the field. Students pursuing the thesis pathway complete 9–12 credit hours of electives alongside 3–6 credit hours of ENGL 890 Master’s Thesis, which is intended for those seeking an intensive, independent research experience culminating in a substantial scholarly work. Alternatively, students may choose the portfolio pathway, which requires 12 credit hours of electives and 3 credit hours of ENGL 895 Master’s Portfolio, focusing on a curated collection of academic and professional writing that reflects their development across the program. At least seven courses must be at the 700 level or higher, reinforcing graduate-level rigor, while some flexibility is allowed for approved 500- and 600-level coursework under departmental supervision. The program also allows limited interdisciplinary study with approval, including electives from other departments, and ensures that no single course can fulfill multiple requirements to maintain academic breadth. A key feature of the program is its applied learning and research requirement, which is integrated through either the thesis or portfolio capstone experience, allowing students to demonstrate mastery of literary analysis, research methodology, and scholarly communication. Overall, the MA in English Literature combines structured literary foundations with flexible academic pathways, preparing graduates for careers in teaching, writing, publishing, editing, and communications, as well as for continued doctoral study in English and related humanities disciplines.