Master of Arts in English
The master of arts in English stresses the comprehensive study of literature in course work and specialized study in a thesis. It is designed for people who plan to teach in high school (already certified) or in college, to pursue careers requiring a high level of communication skills, or to pursue further graduate work in English.
Goals and purposes of the program
The purposes of the MA degree are to:
- Introduce students to the ongoing professional conversations in English studies.
- Develop in students the ability to be articulate in writing and in oral discussions of their scholarly and creative work.
- Encourage students to have confidence in their individual responses to literature and to adopt other critical theories and perspectives when appropriate.
- Enable students to make appropriate use of a wide range of resources: works studied in courses and independent reading, as well as secondary and bibliographic materials.
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 film, linguistics, scientific/technical and creative writing, and 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.
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 degree
- A minimum of 30 credits of graduate work in an approved course of study. (This includes the three-credit thesis.)
- A three-credit thesis. The thesis subject will be selected by the student in consultation with a departmental specialist in the field chosen. On rare occasions, an alternative to the three-credit thesis, a three-credit creative work, may be offered by students who complete a minimum of six credits of creative writing at the graduate level and who acquire the sponsorship of the Creative Writing Committee and the approval of the Graduate Executive Committee.
- An oral examination conducted by the student’s thesis committee.
For more specific information about the MA requirements, please consult the current graduate catalog.
Admission application requirements
To apply to the MA in 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 student explains his or her academic and career goals and expectations.
- A writing sample, such as an undergraduate research paper, which represents the applicant’s best work.
Send materials to:
Graduate Admissions
UW-Eau Claire
Schofield Hall 112
Eau Claire WI 54702-4004
Thinking about a master's degree?
The MA English program offered by the English department at UW-Eau Claire is designed for the student interested in enhancing his or her abilities in the study of literature, language and writing. We provide a flexible program with night offerings, summer courses and a wide variety of courses in literature and writing. 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 |
For general information about the campus and admission to a program, contact: |
