English (Creative Writing), M.A.

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The Master of Arts

Successful applicants for regular admission to the M.A. program usually have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in undergraduate English courses and will typically have completed an undergraduate degree in English or a substantial number of courses in English. Application materials include GRE general test scores, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a substantial writing sample. Letters of recommendation should be from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. Applicants to the English education emphasis must hold a valid educator license. For further information and links to application materials, see www.usm.edu/english.

Conditional admission is sometimes possible for applicants who do not meet all the criteria for regular admission. To remove conditional status, students must meet the Graduate School requirements described in the Admission Requirements and Procedures section of this Bulletin, and they must satisfy all additional requirements stipulated by the department.

Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum of 30 credit hours, to include:

ENG 698 - Thesis 1-6 hrs. for a total of 6 hours. (3-6 hrs. required)

2 courses (6 hours) in creative writing workshop

ENG 721 - Seminar in Fiction Writing 3 hrs. or
ENG 722 - Seminar in Poetry Writing 3 hrs.

3 courses (9 hours) in readings and theory

Including

ENG 620 - Poetic Forms 3 hrs.
ENG 625 - Readings in Fiction 3 hrs.
ENG 626 - Readings in Poetry 3 hrs.
ENG 627 - Introduction to Publishing 3 hrs.
ENG 628 - Teaching Creative Writing 3 hrs.
ENG 723 - Seminar in Nonfiction Writing 3 hrs. (repeatable up to 9 hours)

3 courses (9 hours) in literature

Including 1 course in literary theory:

ENG 642 - Literary Criticism 3 hrs.
ENG 644 - Topics in Literary Theory 3 hrs.
ENG 744 - Seminar in Literary Criticism 3 hrs.

Additional requirements and guidelines:

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language; for information on how to meet the foreign language requirement, see the English Department Graduate Handbook at www.usm.edu/english.
Students must take ENG 690 - Practicum in the Theory and Teaching of Composition if they hold an assistantship that includes teaching as one of their duties.
No more than 6 hours of 500-level credit will be counted toward the degree.
Students must complete a Master’s thesis (50-60 pages of poetry, or 100 pages of fiction, with a brief introduction) and a thesis defense.
A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.
Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester in which they are enrolled. The Plan of Study forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link; or on the Resources page at www.usm.edu/english.