English, MA
Program Description
The MA in English Program offers all candidates the opportunity to grow intellectually and creatively through the advanced study of language, literature, and writing. The program offers a variety of opportunities designed to:
- further students’ understanding of academic fields pertaining to writing, composition theory, language, applied linguistics, literature, and literary and cultural theory
- encourage awareness and application of diverse humanistic, social scientific, and creative methodologies for and theoretical approaches to analyzing texts, especially pertaining to their engagement with belonging, difference, racialization, gender, sexuality, class, accessibility, and other topics
- involve students in community-oriented and/or public-facing ways of making knowledge
- develop accomplished professionals, who may pursue careers in non-profit, private, and academic areas such as teaching at the secondary and community college levels; professional, grant, and technical writing; communication and content creation; project management; publishing and editing; philanthropy; research development; academic advising; and more
- provide students with the background and skills needed to pursue terminal degrees in fields such as English, American Studies, Cultural Studies, Technical Communication, Composition and Rhetoric, and more
The faculty is committed to an integrated understanding of English as a field of study.
Program Modality
Each semester, options to take face-to-face, hybrid/blended, and fully online courses will be offered. Students may choose to complete the degree fully online or face-to-face. Students should be aware that not all courses will be offered in their desired modality in the semester in which they wish to take it. Please work with the graduate coordinator to ensure timely progress to degree, especially if pursuing the fully online path to completion.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program, students will demonstrate:
- proficiency in critical reading, writing, and thinking at the graduate level;
- understanding and application of core knowledge, vocabulary, and concepts in the discipline;
- proficiency in scholarly methods of research and inquiry; and
- appropriate preparation for individual career paths within the profession.
Good Standing
Students must maintain a 3.0 (“B”) grade point average to remain in good standing in the English MA Program. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 will be placed on scholastic probation. If, while on scholastic probation, a student’s GPA for any semester again drops below 3.0, the student will be forced to withdraw from the university for at least one year before reapplying for admission. Grades are not replaced when repeated at the graduate level.
For Additional Information
Website:https://www.tamucc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/english-ma.php
Mailing Address:
English MA Program Coordinator
Department of English, College of Liberal Arts
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5813
Phone: 361-825-3457
E-mail:
kelly.bezio@tamucc.edu
Admission Requirements
Applicants must comply with the university procedures and requirements in applying for admission to the English Graduate Program. Application is made through the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, with duplicate materials submitted to the English Graduate Program Coordinator.
Applicants must submit through the Office of Recruitment and Admissions a portfolio that includes:
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate course work taken at any accredited college or University attended (International College credits/transcripts require an official international evaluation). TAMU-CC transcript is not required. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for admission, and those with a GPA of 2.5-2.9 may be conditionally admitted.
- A statement of interest (500-1000 words) from the candidate addressed to the English Graduate Committee. This statement should introduce the candidate and describe:
- academic background
- short- and long-term professional and intellectual goals
- how graduate study in English at TAMU-CC may meet intellectual and/or professional goals
- additional details about the candidate’s background, language proficiency, and other personal information relating to individual/career goals that may have influenced the decision to pursue graduate study.
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A recent writing sample of at least 2000 words, which the applicant believes displays exemplary analytic and stylistic features and demonstrates potential for graduate-level study in English Studies. Academic essays, teaching philosophies, professional writing, and other options may be submitted. Please consult the graduate coordinator on the suitability of potential writing samples beyond those listed here.
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One letter of recommendation, which addresses the applicant’s readiness to undertake graduate study. The recommender may speak to the applicant’s ability to rise to new challenges, work ethic, passion for subject matter, organizational and project management skills, academic potential, interpersonal and communication skills, writing and critical thinking ability, and other topics. Applicants may choose to submit one or two additional letters of recommendation in the case that another recommender may be able to speak to significantly different aspects of the applicant’s readiness to undertake graduate study. One letter of recommendation is considered sufficient for a complete application; additional letters will not be weighed more or less heavily in the holistic assessment of the application file.
While reviewing application materials, the English Graduate Committee will determine how our program’s strengths will help applicants meet their intellectual and professional goals. The English Graduate Committee attends to several factors when reviewing these materials and assesses them holistically. We welcome applicants who may exhibit at least some of the following characteristics:
- demonstrate enthusiasm for continuing their studies, recognize the value of continuing their education, and have high aspirations as well as academic standards for themselves; they demonstrate academic potential as well as interests in possible fields of study
- may have pursued diverse paths through higher education in the U.S. or international settings
- have skills in formal and informal modes of communication, which may involve abilities in multiple languages and/or vernaculars, code-switching or code-meshing, and cross-cultural engagement
- open to trying different technologies, software, and apps as a part of the educational process
- seek peer collaborations, networking, and validation amongst people from diverse backgrounds and with varied future aspirations
- can navigate multiple social contexts and have the ability to operate in multiple worlds as well as diverse educational or geographical contexts
- show perseverance, inner strength, and determination to succeed
- are self-aware, willing to give back to their community, and/or serve as a role model
Admission to the program will be granted based upon undergraduate performance, writing ability, demonstrated commitment to professional goals, and other favorable indicators presented in the portfolio. All criteria will be considered, and no factor will be assigned a specific weight. Based upon the English Graduate Committee’s evaluation of the student’s application portfolio, the student will be unconditionally admitted, conditionally admitted, or denied admission. If the student is conditionally admitted, the conditions of acceptance will be stated in writing.
The English Graduate Committee may recommend that applicants lacking the English undergraduate major complete certain upper-division undergraduate English course work before applying to the program.
A limited number of scholarships and graduate assistantships are available to first-year students. Application should be made directly to the English Graduate Program Coordinator.
Program Requirements
The candidate for the English MA degree must complete 36 graduate hours in English with a “B” average. Credit for no more than one “C” earned at this university may be applied to the degree.1 In addition to the 9 hours of core courses, students choosing the thesis option will take 6 hours in Writing studies, 6 hours in Literary Studies, 9 hours of English electives, and 6 hours of ENGL 5395 (Thesis), 3 hours in one semester and 3 hours in a separate semester. Students choosing the non-thesis option will take 9 hours of core courses, 6 hours in Writing Studies, 6 hours in Literary Studies, and 15 hours of English electives. A maximum of 3 credit hours of ENGL 5396 Individual Study (1-3 sch) may count toward the degree.
Each semester, options to take face-to-face, hybrid/blended, and fully online courses will be offered. Students may choose to complete the degree fully online or face-to-face. Students should be aware that not all courses will be offered in their desired modality in the semester in which they wish to take it. Please work with the graduate coordinator to ensure timely progress to degree, especially if pursuing the fully online path to completion.
- 1
In keeping with University policy, an academic department can have requirements that are stricter than the University’s. The English department allows fewer grades of C to count toward a graduate degree than some other departments.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ENGL 5304 | Building Your (Virtual) Bookshelf *,^ | 3 |
| ENGL 5305 | Seminar in Professionalization *,^ | 3 |
| Select one of the following Linguistics courses: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Sociolinguistics *,^ | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics *,^ | ||
| Seminar in Applied Linguistics *,^ | ||
| Writing Studies and Literary Studies | ||
| Writing Studies | ||
| Select 6 hours of Writing Studies courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Multimodal Rhetoric *,^ | ||
| Rhetoric *,^ | ||
| Topics in Rhetoric and Composition *,^ | ||
| Composition Theory and Pedagogy *,^ | ||
| Creative Writing *,^ | ||
| Professional Writing *,^ | ||
| Grant Writing *,^ | ||
| Seminar in Sociolinguistics *,^, 1 | ||
| Seminar in Applied Linguistics *, ^, 1 | ||
| Practicum for Composition Instructors * | ||
| Foundations of Content Design & Management *,^ | ||
| Methods of User-Centered Design *,^ | ||
| Transmedia Storytelling *,^ | ||
| Digital Project in an Authentic Setting * | ||
| Literary Studies | ||
| Select 6 hours of Literary Studies courses from the following: 2 | 6 | |
| Topics in Literature and Culture *,^ | ||
| Theoretical Approaches to Literature and Culture *,^ | ||
| Survey Approaches to Literature and Culture *,^ | ||
| Seminar in Genre *,^ | ||
| Pedagogies for Literature and Culture *,^ | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 15 | |
| Thesis Option | ||
Select 9 hours of electives from any of the courses listed above in Writing Studies, Literary Studies, and Linguistics or any listed below: 2 | ||
| Summer Institute Writing Workshop * | ||
| Seminar in Sociolinguistics *,^ | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics *,^ | ||
| Individual Study * | ||
Thesis (6 hours) 3 | ||
| Thesis * | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | ||
Select 15 hours of electives from any of the courses listed above in Writing Studies, Literary Studies, and Linguistics or any listed below: 2 | ||
| Summer Institute Writing Workshop * | ||
| Seminar in Sociolinguistics *,^ | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics *,^ | ||
| Individual Study * | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Will count when topic is related to Writing Studies; graduate committee approval needed
- 2
With approval of the English Graduate Committee, students may take 3 hours in a discipline outside of English as part of his/her elective hours.
- 3
Students choosing the thesis option will take 6 hours of ENGL 5395 Thesis (3 sch). 3 hours in one semester and 3 hours in a separate semester.
- *
Online offering
- ^
Blended offering
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
Candidates for the MA in English may choose either to write a thesis or complete additional courses at the conclusion of their degree:
- Thesis-option students must complete 6 thesis hours and 9 hours of electives in addition to the other requirements listed above. More details on the thesis are located below.
- Non-thesis students must complete 15 hours of electives in addition to the other requirements listed above.
The department recommends that students consult with the graduate coordinator to determine which choice will work best, given their career goals, time constraints and other concerns.
Thesis
The thesis may be an appropriate choice for students depending on their long-term scholarly goals, writing skills, targeted doctoral programs, and plans for further specialization. Students considering a thesis should seek the help of the graduate coordinator as early as possible in selecting appropriate coursework. Students may apply to write a thesis after completing 18 hours of coursework. Once accepted as a thesis candidate, students are expected to work closely with their committee in designing and executing the thesis. The 6 credit hours toward the thesis (ENGL 5395) must be taken in two separate semesters. A defense of the thesis will be scheduled at the end of the second semester or when the committee chair determines that the student is ready to defend. A majority of the thesis committee members must pass the thesis and its defense. They may purchase additional copies at the same time for themselves. Prior to that submission, students will work with Graduate Education and the Graduate Advisor to ensure that their thesis meets the publishing requirements set forth by the University.
Thesis guidelines and application forms are available from the English Graduate Program Coordinator or from the Office of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5395 | Thesis (semester 1) * | 3 |
| ENGL 5395 | Thesis (semester 2) * | 3 |
| 9 hours of electives (See above Part Two and Part Three) | 9 | |
| Oral Defense of Thesis | ||
Graduate Degree Mentor
Upon admission into the program, the student will be notified of her, his, or their mentor, who will be a member of the English graduate faculty. Students are expected to meet with their mentor once a semester as they advance through the program. The mentor will work closely with the student to ensure that all degree requirements are met and that each student pursues the most advantageous course of study for her, his, or their future goals.
Degree Plan
Each student working toward a graduate degree is responsible for meeting the requirements outlined in the degree plan. The student is also responsible for meeting all deadlines: program application, examination, and graduate application. If the deadlines for examination and graduation application are not met, the student will not graduate that semester. In no instance will a student be admitted to degree candidacy without an approved and completed degree plan on file in the office of the Dean of College of Liberal Arts. Amendments to the degree plan must be proposed by the student and approved by the Graduate Committee or program advisor and the Dean of College of Liberal Arts. Amendments to the degree plan must be proposed by the student and approved by the Graduate Committee or program advisor or college dean.
Transfer of Credit
In addition to the University’s general policy on transfer of credit, the following regulations will apply to the MA in English program: Up to 9 semester hours of graduate-level study may be transferred from other regionally accredited institutions of higher education if appropriate to the degree. No course with a grade of less than a “B,” and no course that has counted toward the earning of another graduate degree, will be accepted as transfer credit. Credit that is more than seven years old at the time of graduation will not be counted toward the MA degree.