Admissions Process and Requirements
Applicants should submit the following materials:
- Completed application form.
- A cover letter of one to two pages outlining the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the M.A. in English
- A writing sample of 10-25 pages of the applicant’s best scholarly work
- Students interested in creative writing may choose to send an additional creative writing sample of no more than 15 pages.
- Copies of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended.
- Two letters of reference from current or past professors (or others familiar with the applicant’s scholarly potential).
- The minimum GPA for admission is 2.5 cumulative; if an applicant falls below this threshold, the committee will review the transcript, consult with the applicant regarding any extenuating circumstances, and make a final determination.
Prerequisites
Students pursing an English M.A. who did not complete an undergraduate degree in English will be required to complete undergraduate prerequisites (including ENG 305, ENG 306, and ENG 307) or demonstrate equivalent content coverage.
Graduate Test Score Requirement
The M.A. in English does not require a standardized test score for admission.
Graduate Instructor Fellowships
Several fellowships are regularly offered for English M.A. students who are interested in working as graduate instructors in UM’s innovative English 100 program. Instructors gain valuable experience designing and teaching composition curriculum for one-on-one meetings with undergraduates. Fellowships include a stipend of $1500 per semester. Applications are available starting May 1 on the UM employment website.
Program and Completion Requirements
In addition to the general completion requirements as stated in this Bulletin, a student will select, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, 30 semester hours of graduate courses. The courses must be taken in the English department unless deemed appropriate by the Graduate Coordinator, and it is recommended that six (6) of these hours be taken in graduate seminars (ENG 590 ). Additionally, the student must enroll in ENG 500 - Introduction to Graduate Studies during the first Fall Semester of their graduate study. The department chair must approve any exceptions. The remaining six (6) hours of the degree are earned by a master’s thesis directed by the student’s chosen thesis advisor. At the end of the program, the student will present the thesis in a public defense before members of their advising committee and the department at large.
Students enrolled in the English M.A. program may take up to six (6) graduate level credits in departments other than English as cognate courses, to be applied to the M.A. in English. In order to enroll in a cognate course, a student must obtain written permission from their advisor in English, the English graduate coordinator, the instructor of the course in which they intend to enroll, and the chair of the department where the cognate course is housed. All cognate coursework must be completed at the 500-level or above. Independent studies or theses may not be taken for cognate credit.
Please refer to the student handbook located on the English, M.A. website for sample timelines and additional details.
Thesis Options
UM’s innovative English M.A. program helps students shape your degree to your personal and professional goals. Students choose from four distinct tracks for the final thesis, tailored to a variety of interests. The Critical Thesis helps students publish an article for a peer-reviewed scholarly journal in preparation for Ph.D. programs and other advanced scholarly work. The Creative Thesis prepares students to compose fiction or poetry and assists in securing venues for publication.The Professional Writing Thesis allows students to develop a portfolio of professional writing in conjunction with an internship in a private, non-profit, or government-sector agency. The Applied Humanities Thesis provides students the opportunity to undertake an inward-facing research project while applying that research to an internship in a private, non-profit, or government-sector agency.
Student Handbook
For more information, please refer to the ENGL-MA Student Handbook located on the Program’s webpage by clicking here.
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