Program Requirements

When completing the Master of Arts in English, Master of Arts in Writing and Master of Science in Education in English you will perform guided and independent work both inside and outside the classroom.

Your core English courses include literature, writing, linguistics and theory, but you will be able to customize your degree by choosing a specific track to pursue.

In addition to coursework, you must also do the following:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language
  • Complete a research component, either a thesis or degree paper(s)
  • Participate in academic conferences
  • Take a comprehensive examination

Core degree requirements

These courses come from a variety of English disciplines and provide a solid background for your program.

Research requirement

You will need to complete either a thesis or a degree paper.

Thesis

You will typically research an original subject or take an original approach to a subject. You may also, if appropriate, submit a creative work.

Two faculty readers and a graduate faculty advisor must approve your thesis. If you are considering doctoral work, we typically recommend you write a thesis. It will give you extensive experience in independent research.

Creative thesis

If you are working toward an MA in English in creative writing, you will usually write a creative thesis. This may be a collection of poetry, a collection of short fiction, a novel, a novella, a collection of personal essays, a memoir, a graphic narrative, or a work of mixed genre. The thesis should also include a critical introduction with a bibliography.

Degree paper

As a graduate student, you will typically write seminar papers for your 600-level courses. These papers can serve as the source material for your degree paper. When appropriate, they may also be creative works.

For more information about the specific research requirements, please contact the graduate program director.

Colloquia

You are expected and encouraged to participate in scholarly conferences, professional workshops, lectures and presentations. 

Comprehensive exams

You should plan to begin studying for your comprehensive exams as soon as you begin your graduate coursework. Exams for Master of Arts in English candidates contain two, two-hour essays. Exams for Master of Science in Education in English candidates contain two, one-hour essays. The exam for the Master of Arts in Writing candidates consists of two, 90-minute essays and an oral component.

Comprehensive exams are offered in October, March and June each year.

For more information about comprehensive exam requirements, please contact the graduate program director.