English (Literature), 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 33 credit hours, to include:

ENG 640 - Critical Reading and Methods in English 3 hrs.
ENG 641 - Advanced Research and Methods in English 3 hrs.
One course in literary theory 3 hrs.
Four courses (12 hrs.) distributed across the following subject areas: 1) American Literature to 1890, 2) British Literature to 1660, 3) British Literature, 1660-1890, 4) British & American Literatures, 1890-1960, 5) Literatures in English after 1960, 6) Non-traditional Literatures in English
Two electives 6 hrs.
ENG 698 - Thesis 1-6 hrs. for a total of 6 hours. (3-6 hrs. required)

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.
500-level classes count towards a degree only with the approval of 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.
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.