Program Description

The Master of Arts in English provides comprehensive, intensive, and flexible coursework in the advanced study of English and American language and literatures for a variety of professional and personal applications. The program is designed for students seeking a masters-level foundation for further graduate work in English and related fields, aspiring and practicing teachers of English at the secondary and community college levels, returning students desiring an M.A. degree in a liberal arts field, and business professionals for whom research, writing, critical thinking, and broad knowledge in the humanities are essential components of their work.

The M.A. in English offers courses on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings to accommodate the schedules of working professionals as well as recent graduates who wish to continue their education in English studies. The program features rigorous training in literary periods and topics, in the history and structure of the English language, in literary criticism and theory, in analytical writing and research, and in pedagogy. Degree completion involves a written master's examination at the end of the student's course work, as well as options for independent study and thesis research. The M.A. in English can be completed in two years, although students may take longer or advance more quickly. Opportunities for internships in community college teaching and in a variety of professional settings are also available.