English M.A.

View information for the Department of English .

Applications for admission to the Master of Arts program in English should be filed in the Office of the Graduate School, which will then forward them to the Department of English for processing.

There are three main concentrations of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in English: (1) a concentration in the literature of Britain and the United States (MA-LIT); (2) a concentration in rhetoric and the teaching of writing (MA-RTW); and (3) a concentration in teaching English to speakers of other languages (MA-TESOL). Concentrations may be combined.

Prerequisites

For the MA-LIT and MA-RTW programs, a Bachelor of Arts degree, normally with a major in English. Students from other majors may be required to take the GRE General Examination and/or prerequisite courses to prepare for the program.
An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
Two letters of recommendation from former college instructors, or appropriate equivalents, who can comment on the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies.
A 5-10 page critical or analytical paper. It may be one written in an undergraduate class.
Upon acceptance to the program, students with a Bachelor of Arts in English with at least a 3.0 grade point average can be admitted as Fully Classified students.

Requirements

Complete at least 30 graduate units.
Earn at least a grade of B- in each course.
Complete comprehensive exams, thesis, or project as indicated by program.

The Program with a Concentration in Literature

In addition to the requirements listed above, students electing the literature program must take ENGL 5000 - Critical Theory and Research and complete an additional 12 units of 5000-level literature seminars.

Students who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 may elect to write a thesis. Students electing to write a thesis may apply a maximum of six units of ENGL 5990 - Thesis toward the Master of Arts coursework requirements. Students not eligible or not electing to write a thesis will instead complete six units of 5000-level literature seminars.

Students who plan to teach at the college or university level are strongly advised to take ENGL 5894 - Teaching Composition .

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful M.A. students with a concentration in literature will:

Master the techniques and practices of literary analysis.
Become familiar with the history and current theories of literary interpretation.
Acquire the abilities necessary to become professionals in the fields of literature, whether as teachers or as other professionals.

The Program with a Concentration in Rhetoric and the Teaching of Writing

The Rhetoric and the Teaching of Writing program will provide strong overviews of the history, research, methodologies, major emerging voices, and important questions in writing studies, rhetoric, and the teaching of writing. The program will provide a theory and research base for shaping a writing classroom and for further postgraduate work. This program consists of the following required courses:

Students undertaking an Advanced Project must also take ENGL 5960 - Advanced Projects in English .

Recommended courses:

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful M.A. students with a concentration in Rhetoric & Teaching Writing will:

Understand the historical development and major theories of rhetoric and composition.
Master and apply the techniques and practices of rhetorical analysis.
Acquire the abilities necessary to become professionals in the field of composition and rhetoric, whether as teachers or as other professionals.

The Program with a Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The student who elects to pursue the concentration in TESOL will develop a specialist’s knowledge of English grammar, second language acquisition theory, methodology, curriculum and materials development, and crosscultural issues related to the teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This concentration is particularly appropriate for those who want to teach in postsecondary settings such as community colleges, universities, adult education programs, and English language institutes in the U.S. and abroad.

Applicants with an undergraduate major or minor in English should have coursework in both literature and language studies. Applicants without an undergraduate major or minor in English may be admitted conditionally but must complete the following courses (or their equivalents as stipulated by the program advisor):

Students for whom English is a second language will have to meet the required minimum score on the TOEFL, and demonstrate fluency in English before admission to the program.

This concentration consists of the required and elective courses listed below. A graduate thesis/project (ENGL 5960 ) is optional. Graduation requirements consist of completion of a minimum of 30 units (with a minimum grade of B and GPA of 3.0), a comprehensive exam, and a graduate research paper.

A maximum of 15 units of undergraduate coursework may be used for graduate credit in the TESOL concentration; however, Instructor Verification Forms, specifying the extra work and higher standards required for graduate credit, must be signed and submitted at the time of enrollment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful M.A. students with a concentration in TESOL will:

Gain knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts from the areas of linguistics, applied linguistics, sociolinguists, psycholinguistics, and language teaching methodology.
Acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of the interaction between second language acquisition theory and second language teaching and learning.
Demonstrate expertise in curriculum design, assessment, teaching methods, and classroom management in various TESOL settings.