English (Accelerated BA to MA) MA

Overview

The Accelerated BA to MA track enables high-achieving undergraduate students to finish their English literature MA more quickly by taking several graduate courses during the senior year of their BA. The English MA with a literature emphasis allows students to develop their literary criticism and scholarly interests, culminating in an article-length thesis.

With a dedicated Graduate Faculty across all primary fields of literary studies, the English graduate program allows graduate students to either specialize in one of these fields or pursue broad preparation as a generalist. Our graduate programs pay particular attention to professional development, including scholarly and creative publishing. With its dual emphases in literature and creative writing, the English program offers students a uniquely hybrid experience in which emerging writers and critics study alongside one another and work with specialists in both fields, preparing students for creative, academic, and professional careers.

Campus: Hattiesburg

Admission Requirements

Interested students must apply in the spring of the junior year of the English BA degree. Questions about the application process and materials should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

See Admission Requirements and Procedures  for other admission requirements.

The English graduate programs do not require GRE or other standardized exam results.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

Students must complete one research tool: either proficiency in one foreign language OR six graduate hours of coursework in an allied field of study approved by their advisor or the Graduate Program Coordinator.

500-level classes count towards a degree only with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator or the Dean of the Graduate School; at least 6 hours (2 courses) must be at the 700-level.

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.

Students must successfully complete a Master’s Comprehensive Examination in August, after the first year of study. The exam may be retaken once. Any student who fails the Comprehensive Exam twice will be dismissed from the program.

Students must complete a Master’s thesis, an article-length critical essay that emerges from a paper produced during the first year of study and that will be revised and developed during the course of ENG 641.

A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for other requirements and policies.

Course Requirements (33 hours)

• ENG 640 - Critical Reading and Methods in English  (3 hours)
• ENG 641 - Advanced Research and Methods in English  (3 hours)
• Non-Creative Writing English courses (21-24 hours): within these courses, student must fulfill the following requirements:
  • 1 course in American literature to 1865
  • 1 course in American literature post 1865
  • 1 course in British literature to 1800
  • 1 course in British literature post 1800
  • 1 course designated non-traditional
  • 1 literary theory course or 1 course designated theory-rich
  • Note: a single course may fulfill up to 2 of the above requirements
• ENG 698 - Thesis  (6 hours required)