Graduate School Bulletin

Requirements for the M.A. in English

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

The English MA is a 30-credit coursework degree consisting of multiple elements. Students must complete ten-three credit courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

A. Three Courses in Language and Rhetoric:  (or Two Courses for students who have demonstrated proficiency in one language other than English through coursework or examination; 9 credits).

EGL 506 Topics in Theory: Rhetoric or Composition (or approved substitute)

EGL 509 Studies in Language and Linguistics (or EGL 510 approved substitute)

EGL 592 Problems in the Teaching of Writing

B. Three Topics Courses:  (9 credits in at least two different topic areas) 

EGL 584: Topics in Genre Studies

EGL 585: Topics in Cultural Studies

EGL 586: Topics in Gender Studies

EGL 587: Topics in Race, Ethnic or Diaspora Studies 

EGL 588: Writing Workshops

C. Electives:  (9 credits; or Four Courses, for students who have fulfilled the language requirement) Electives should be 500-level English Courses* 

Three courses must be in at least two of the following areas: genre studies; cultural studies; gender studies; race, ethnic, or diaspora studies; writing workshop.

600-level English courses and relevant courses from other departments may also be counted as electives with permission from the Program Director.

Only one course numbered EGL 599 (Independent Study), will be permitted to count toward the total courses required for the degree of Masters of Art in English

D. Period Requirement:  At least one of these courses must be on a literary historical period before 1800. 

E. Master’s thesis   (3 credits)   Students must also submit a MA thesis (EGL 598).

Please refer to the English MA Student Handbook for a more detailed discussion of procedures and expectations.

Requirements for the Ph.D. in English

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

A. Course requirements:  Students must complete 11 courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including at least seven 600-level seminars, including EGL 600 (The Discipline of Literary Studies).

Courses must primarily be taken within the English Department. With permission from the Program Director, five courses from other departments may also be counted as electives.

Students with Teaching assistantships must pass the Teaching Practicum in their first semester of teaching.

Only two Independent Study courses (EGL 615) may count toward the Ph.D.

B. Language Requirement  Students must demonstrate proficiency in one language other than English through coursework or examination.

C. General Examination  Students must complete an oral exam by the end of the fifth semester.

D. Dissertation Prospectus and Meeting:  Students must write and defend a prospectus. All the doctoral requirements described above must be completed before a student is allowed to schedule the prospectus meeting.

E. Advancement to candidacy:  Advancement to candidacy takes place upon the successful completion of the following: the required courses in A, the language requirement in B, a general examination in C, and the dissertation prospectus in D.

F. Dissertation:  Students must write and defend a dissertation acceptable to the students dissertation committee.

Please refer to the English Doctoral Student Handbook for a more detailed discussion of procedures and expectations.