COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English is a flexible graduate program requiring 30–36 credit hours and is designed for students seeking advanced study in literature, writing, rhetoric, linguistics, and English language teaching. Applicants for regular admission must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.7 GPA overall, or a 2.5 GPA with a 3.0 GPA in the final 60 semester credits. Conditional admission may be granted to students with slightly lower GPAs who demonstrate academic potential. International applicants must meet English proficiency requirements through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores and submit a 5–8 page writing sample demonstrating readiness for graduate-level English studies. The program offers three concentrations: Literature, Rhetoric and Writing, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Students complete a combination of 6000-level courses that broaden knowledge in literature, language, critical theory, writing, pedagogy, and linguistics, along with specialized 7000-level core and seminar courses that develop advanced scholarly, research, and analytical skills. The curriculum emphasizes critical reading, interpretation of texts, research methodology, academic writing, cultural analysis, and professional communication. Students learn to evaluate literature and language within historical and cultural contexts, conduct independent research, and apply English studies concepts to careers requiring strong analytical, writing, and communication abilities. All students must complete a culminating project during their final semester, which includes original research and a public presentation. Those choosing the thesis or creative writing thesis option complete six credit hours of thesis work under faculty supervision. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, writing, editing, publishing, communication, ESL instruction, research, and other professions that value advanced critical thinking and written communication skills, while also gaining a strong foundation for doctoral study.