Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog 2015-2016 
    
Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, M.A.


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The Master of Arts degree in English from the College of Arts and Sciences , leads to concentrated knowledge and understanding of civilization and culture as manifested in literature and other texts. The curriculum demands that students explore, analyze, and debate texts in their critical, social, and political contexts, and determine the implications of their differing cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Students gain not only a comprehensive grasp of great literature in English and of issues in critical theory, language, and rhetoric but also a variety of reading and interpretive strategies that can be applied to challenging personal, professional, and societal conditions.

The master’s degree requires a greater and more sophisticated scope and proficiency in interpretation, analysis, writing, and the analytical skills that one acquires through the study of literature, theory, and rhetoric, than is required of the bachelor’s degree. This study of English is designed to meet not only the needs of persons involved in the teaching of English but also those of adult students who wish to develop abilities that transcend any narrow specialization or particular career orientation. The program enriches lives and improves the work of those who undertake it.

Special Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the university admission criteria, applicants must:

  1. have completed a bachelor’s degree in English or in a very closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 G.P.A.;
  2. have an undergraduate major in English, literature, language, linguistics, or a closely related field;
  3. submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); including “500” or higher on the Verbal section and “4” or higher on the Writing Exam portion; students scoring a “3” may be granted probationary status with additional requirements assigned;
  4. complete prerequisite course work with a “B” or better in each course; and
  5. provide three letters of recommendation, with at least two letters from professors/instructors in the field.

Required Preparation

  1. Students without the following undergraduate prerequisite course work will be granted conditional admission and be required to complete all prerequisites before full admission to the M.A. in English program: three hours in English (or British) Literature I or II, three hours in American Literature I or II, three hours in Shakespeare, and three hours in literary criticism. Completion of all prerequisites is required in addition to graduate degree requirements noted.
  2. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 for the first nine credit-hours to continue enrollment. Only one course in which a student earns less than a “B” may be repeated once.

Thesis/Non-Thesis Option

With faculty approval, students may choose a thesis option. To receive approval for the thesis option, a student must propose a thesis project after 18 credit hours have been completed to the English program tenure-stream faculty. At least two of the faculty members must vote ‘yes’ for the student to receive approval. In the thesis option, a student completes research and prepares a formal thesis manuscripts. The thesis option would be appropriate for students who have research interests or who intend to pursue doctoral studies. In the non-thesis option, a student takes ENGL - 8950 Comprehensive Examination in English (1) . More information concerning the options is available in the English Graduate Student Handbook.

Admission to Candidacy

After admission as a degree-seeking student, a student will also apply for candidacy after completing her or his course work. Application for candidacy should be made at the beginning of the term in which the student expects to fulfill the candidacy requirements (successful completion of ENGL-8950  for non-thesis students; after 18 credit hours are earned for thesis students). Application forms are available in the college office. To qualify for degree candidacy for the thesis option, a student must do the following:

  1. complete each course for the M.A. in English with a “B” (3.0) or better;
  2. complete a detailed, approved proposal for a master’s thesis; and
  3. complete thesis proposal form with the signatures of three full time English faculty who have agreed to serve on the student’s thesis committee; the primary thesis advisor must be from the tenure-stream faculty.

More detailed candidacy information is available through the M.A. in English advisors.

Degree Requirements Thesis Option


NOTE:


* Must be taken as early as possible in the graduate student’s career, preferably within the first two terms.

** ENGL-8900  cannot be attempted until after completing the other core courses and the four elective/selective courses.

Additional Requirements (12 Hours)


With the advisor’s approval, students will select at least four 5000-plus level courses in literature, rhetoric, composition, linguistics, or closely related fields. (Depending on the student’s areas of interest, the electives might include such courses as ENGL - 6580 Read and Rap: Literature for Young Adult Readers , ENGL - 6172 Contemporary Native American Authors .)

Total - 33 Hours


Degree Requirements Non-Thesis Option


NOTE:


* Must be taken as early as possible in the graduate student’s career, preferably within the first two terms.

Additional Requirements (12 Hours)


With the advisor’s approval, students will select at least four 5000-plus level courses in literature, rhetoric, composition, linguistics, or closely related fields. (Depending on the student’s areas of interest, the electives might include such courses as ENGL - 6580 Read and Rap: Literature for Young Adult Readers , ENGL - 6172 Contemporary Native American Authors .)

Total - 34 Hours


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