Program Requirements

These program requirements can be tailored to meet students' interests and career goals.

To receive an MA in English degree, students must complete 26 hours of course work and 4 hours of thesis research. There are several required classes that MA students will take in the following sequence:

• In the fall semester of their first year, students take English 5010, Rhetoric and Composition Theory and Practice.

• In the spring of their first year, students take a course in contemporary critical theory.

• In the fall semester of their second year, students take English 5960, Thesis Research: Classroom Workshop. This class counts for required Thesis Research hours.

All coursework must be at the 5000 level. For a more detailed description of the program requirements, please refer to the University catalog.

With the permission of their advisor, students may take three credit hours outside of the department to meet their program requirements.

Reading List Exam

• Based on an individualized reading list.

• Taken in the fall semester of your second year.

• For more information, go to the student handbook reading list section.

MA Thesis

Students are required to write an independent thesis to receive their MA in English degree. Students work closely with a faculty member in their chosen field to craft a research-intensive thesis of 50–70 pages. The following schedule is typical for completing a thesis:

• Proposal and Annotated Bibliography due by the middle of the fall semester of your second year.

• First chapter and TIPS (thesis-in-progress) due December of your second year.

• Defend and file your thesis by the end of the spring semester of your second year.

• For more information, go to the student handbook thesis section.