English, M.A.

Location(s): Main Campus

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OVERVIEW

The Department of English cultivates students’ imaginations, critical skills, and professional expertise through the intensive study of literature, language, and writing. Our MA program connects students to their communities through the practice of public humanities and prepares them for a wide array of careers. English students develop portable literacy and communication skills, rhetorical awareness, and fluency with the diverse texts and media that are necessary to navigate their contemporary worlds and imagine new ones.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Applicants who have a degree in English should have at least a 3.2 grade point average in their upper-division undergraduate major coursework.

Applicants to the graduate program are admitted based on a comprehensive review of their application materials by the Department of English. Students whose undergraduate major was not English should consult the principal graduate adviser about prerequisites or their equivalents. They must complete up to 15 units of upper division prerequisites (which may include courses previously taken) prior to beginning their graduate work.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

31 units is required, with at least 25 in 5000-level courses.

Learning Outcomes Roadmap - ENGL MA (2025)

Requirements for the Degree (31 units)

Core Requirements (16 units)

ENGL 5000 - Advanced Reading, Writing, and Research [3]
ENGL 5001 - Theoretical Foundations of Literary Studies [3]
ENGL 5004 - Theories of Composition and Rhetoric [3]
ENGL 5910 - Advanced Engaged English Studies [1-3] (complete 3 units: 1,1,1)
ENGL 5950 - Professionalization in Advanced English Studies [1]
And select one core elective seminar course from the following:
ENGL 5050 - Seminar: Composition and Rhetoric [3]
ENGL 5055 - Principles and Strategies in Teaching Writing [3]
ENGL 5060 - Seminar: The Writing Process [3]
ENGL 5100 - Seminar: Language and Literacy [3]
ENGL 5200 - Seminar: Critical Theory [3]
ENGL 5300 - Seminar: Literary Studies [3]
ENGL 5800 - Seminar: Creative Writing [3]
ENGL 5855 - Words Uncaged Journal Production [1-3] (complete 3 units)

Focus Area Electives (12 units)

No more than 6 units at the 4000-level can be taken. Seminar courses taken to satisfy the core requirement cannot be double-counted.

Culminating Experience (3 units)

Select one set of the following courses.

Set A:
ENGL 5960 - Comprehensive Examination [0]
ENGL 5980 - Graduate Directed Study [1-3] (complete 3 units: 1, 2)
Set B:
ENGL 5990 - Thesis [1] (complete 3 units)
Set C:
ENGL 5995 - Project [1] (complete 3 units)

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