Master of Arts in English
About This Program
The Master of Arts in English is designed to enable students to learn about, critique, and work in teaching, scholarship, writing, or other fields which value a strong background in language, rhetoric, and the study of culture through texts.
Early in the program, each student takes two core courses, one that serves as an introduction to the profession of English Studies, and one that examines theory as it is currently used in English scholarship. Each student plans an individual program of coursework with the help of the graduate advisor (english.gradadvisor@uta.edu). This program draws on the department’s varied courses, which offer students ways to study literature, rhetoric, and criticism, as well as methods of studying culture through texts and traditions of discourse.
The MA in English provides a strong grounding in scholarly methods and in theory, making it an ideal preparation for doctoral study in disciplinary or interdisciplinary programs. MA graduates in English pursue careers in journalism, educational administration and services, publishing, and many business fields that demand writing and communication skills. The MA in English is also useful for prospective or experienced teachers who want both to sharpen their ability to teach literature and writing and to advance professionally.
Competencies
- Students completing the MA in English will be able to describe, analyze, and interpret literary and non-literary texts in a clear, coherent written form that follows the conventions of Standard English.
- Students completing the MA in English will be able to understand, analyze, and interpret texts in relation to cultural and historical contexts.
- Students completing the MA in English will be able to understand and employ a number of critical theories and methodologies in analyzing literary and other texts.
- Students completing the MA in English will be able to conduct independent research and use that research to create and defend propositions concerning literature and other texts.
- Students completing the MA in English will become familiar with common protocols and practices in the profession of English Studies, but will also graduate with widely marketable skills, such as the ability to conduct research and analyze and synthesize data.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the basic graduate admission requirements of UT Arlington, the Department of English requires all international students to have speaking, reading, and writing competence in English. We consider four different admission criteria:
- GPA
- Writing sample
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
Prospective students must submit all the required materials and scores—i.e., official transcripts, a writing sample, a statement of purpose, and recommendation letters—in order for their application to be processed. All criteria are considered together, in a holistic way, and no single factor will eliminate a prospective student from consideration.
Unconditional Admission
For unconditional admission, candidates must meet the following standards for at least three of the four criteria.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate work, with a minimum of 3.4 in the English major or upper-level English courses. Applicants who did not major in English should have at least 12 hours of upper-level undergraduate coursework in English. Non-majors who do not meet the upper-level English coursework requirement may still apply, but will likely need to take leveling courses (see below).
- An original, single-authored writing sample of 10 to 15 pages that demonstrates a sophisticated prose style and the ability to construct complex arguments.
- A statement of purpose of 1 to 2 pages in which applicants introduce themselves, explain why they are interested in graduate study in English, and describe their professional goals and/or research interests.
- Three letters of recommendation that attest to the prospective student’s intellectual and scholarly potential. At least two of these should be from former professors.
Deferred Decision
A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denial is not appropriate.
Provisional Admission
An applicant who is unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.
Probationary Admission
For both the MA and PhD programs, students may be admitted on probation under one of two scenarios:
- The prospective student’s application materials do not meet two of the four standards, but are outstanding in the remaining two areas; or
- The prospective student’s materials come extremely close to meeting the standards in at least three of the four areas.
Students on academic probation must make no grade lower than a B in the first 12 hours of their graduate work in order to remain in the program.
Denial
Admission will be denied if the application materials:
- Do not meet the standards in three of the four categories; or
- Do not meet the standards in two of the categories, and in the remaining two categories meet the standards but in an unexceptional manner.
Leveling Courses
Students who wish to pursue the MA but who do not have an undergraduate major in English may be required to take between 3 and 12 hours in specified advanced undergraduate courses and make no grade lower than a B. These courses will not be counted for graduate credit, but instead will provide the necessary background for pursuit of the advanced degree.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Please consult the Director of First Year Writing, Dr. Justin Lerberg (jlerberg@uta.edu), for information about Graduate Teaching Assistantships.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| ENGL 5300 | THE PROFESSION OF ENGLISH STUDIES | 3 |
| ENGL 5310 | INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THEORY 1 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| In consultation with the Graduate Advisor, select the appropriate number of 5000/6000-level courses in English: eight for non-thesis students, six for thesis students. One may be taken in a department in the College of Liberal Arts other than English; students may also petition to apply credits taken outside of the College. | 18 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis students must complete at least six hours of the following, enrolling in a course in which the grade of P can be assigned (5698 or 5998) in the semester in which the thesis is defended: | 6 | |
| THESIS | ||
| THESIS | ||
| THESIS | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Must be completed within the first 12 hours of coursework.
Program Completion
Thesis Option
Students who would like to pursue the thesis option must apply for it no sooner than their 18th hour and no later than their 24th hour of coursework. A student who elects to write a thesis must select a topic in consultation with their thesis director. Before the student registers for thesis hours, a Thesis Committee (a director and two readers) must be established. Students must defend their thesis to complete the degree.
Non-Thesis Option
The final requirement for a non-thesis MA is submission of a portfolio. This will consist of a variety of writing assignments designed to prepare the student to enter the professional and/or academic workplace. The student will establish a Portfolio Committee (a director and two readers).