Master of Science in Teaching English
The master of science in teaching English program is designed for persons already certified to teach English who plan to continue teaching at the high school or middle school level and wish to pursue additional graduate work.
Goals and purposes of the program
The purposes of the MST degree are to help students:
- Increase their proficiency as teachers.
- Develop their knowledge in the disciplines of education and English.
- Become participants in the ongoing professional conversations in English studies.
- Develop the ability to be articulate in writing and in oral discussions of their scholarly work.
- Have confidence in their individual responses to literature and to adopt other critical theories and perspectives when appropriate.
- Make appropriate use of a wide range of resources such as works studied in courses and independent reading, as well as secondary and bibliographic materials.
These purposes are realized through courses offered by the School of Education and the department of English. In the department, the MST program offers courses in literature and film; critical, scientific/technical and creative writing; pedagogy and linguistics. Advanced courses in English emphasize literature viewed from a variety of theoretical perspectives and provide practical training in literary research and criticism. Other advanced courses focus on theories of pedagogy, writing and rhetoric.
Prerequisites for admission to the program
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- A minimum of 24 credits in English. Deficiencies in credits will be made up at the undergraduate level.
- An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.25 in English course work and 3.0 overall (or 3.15 in the second half of all undergraduate work) on a 4.0 scale.
- Certification to teach English.
The English department may consider admission of an applicant whose English GPA is no less than 3.0 and/or whose other qualifications do not meet all those specified above, where there is convincing evidence that he or she is capable of performing satisfactory graduate work in the department. Completion of six credits of graduate work with a grade of B or better in each course and removal of all deficiencies will lead to full standing.
Course deficiencies may be completed after admission if approved by the English Graduate Executive Committee. These course deficiencies must be completed in addition to the minimum credits required for the degree.
Requirements for the program
- 12 to 18 semester credits in English graduate offerings.
- Nine semester credits in professional education offerings.
- Up to six semester credits of free electives (depending on how many English credits are needed). Free electives may be courses in English, education or any other area.
- A three-credit thesis. The thesis subject will be selected by the student in consultation with a departmental specialist in the field chosen.
- An oral examination conducted by the student’s thesis committee.
For more specific information about the MST requirements, please consult the current graduate catalog.
Admission application requirements
To apply to the MST English program, an applicant must submit the following documents:
- A complete application for graduate admission along with the application fee.
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended.
- A letter of intent in which the applicant explains his or her career goals and expectations.
- A writing sample, such as an undergraduate research paper, which represents the applicant’s best work.
- A copy of certification to teach.
Send materials to:
Graduate Admissions
UW-Eau Claire
Schofield Hall 112
Eau Claire WI 54702-4004
Thinking about a master's degree?
The master of science in teaching offered by the English department at UW-Eau Claire is designed for the active teacher interested in enhancing his or her abilities. We provide a flexible program with night offerings, summer courses and a wide variety of courses in literature and writing. In addition to the MST, the department also offers a traditional master’s degree focusing on English studies only.
If you are unsure about committing yourself to a full degree program immediately, you can explore your interest in an advanced degree as a graduate special student and acquire up to 12 credits that can be applied to a degree program once you make that choice.
The Eau Claire Advantage
- U.S. News & World Report magazine consistently ranks UW-Eau Claire among the top public regional universities in the Midwest in its annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook.
- Four UW-Eau Claire professors have been recipients of Wisconsin Professor of the Year awards.
- UW-Eau Claire is a member institution of The Council of Graduate Schools and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For more information
For further information about the options available in English at UW-Eau Claire, contact: |
For general information about the campus and admission to a program, contact: |
