Masters of Arts in English
Degree Requirements:
Option 1: 24 – 36 credit hours
Required courses:
English 500, Aims and Methods of Literary Scholarship
English 566, Introduction to Literary Theory
Distribution requirements:
One course in British literature prior to 1800
One course in British literature after 1800
One course in American literature prior to 1900
One course in American literature after 1900
Final Project:
- A four-hour written exam based upon a reading list provided to students at the beginning of their course of study.
- A paper that is a substantial development and revision of a seminar paper, or another research-based project to be determined by the student, in consultation with a faculty member, and approved by the Graduate Committee. (This project will typically run to 35 – 40 pages.)
- Two additional courses of the student's choosing at the graduate level.
- With the approval of an advisor, a first reader, and the Graduate Studies Committee, a student may write a thesis —worth 6 credits—running 80 - 100 pp., to be begun after completion of 24 credit hours.
Option 2: 24-30 credit hours
Required courses:
English 500, Aims and Methods of Literary Scholarship
English 566, Introduction to Literary Theory
Distribution requirements:
As soon as possible and no later than after having completed 12 hours of course work, a student will design her/his own subsequent course of study, including course work and a final project, around some kind of organizational framework. The student will work with two faculty members to write a rationale for this individually tailored course of study to be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Final Project:
- A four-hour written exam based upon a reading list provided to students at the beginning of their course of study.
- A paper that is a substantial development and revision of a seminar paper, or another research-based project to be determined by the student, in consultation with a faculty member, and approved by the Graduate Committee. (This project will typically run to 35 – 40 pages.)
- Two additional courses of the student's choosing at the graduate level.
- With the approval of an advisor, a first reader, and the Graduate Studies Committee, a student may write a thesis —worth 6 credits—running 80 - 100 pp., to be begun after completion of 24 credit hours.
