English, Professional, M.A.

This program is designed for students who already hold an initial license in middle or secondary English and leads to the professional license in this field. Students will enhance their understanding of educational theory and practices and expand their knowledge of English language, rhetoric, and literature.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for Admission to the Program:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 18 hours in English above Composition at the undergraduate level.*
A 3.0 (B) average in all English courses is required, as is a 2.8 overall G.P.A.
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores should be above the 50^th percentile.
A writing sample, preferably a literary essay, is required.

*Students may be required to fulfill undergraduate prerequisites as determined by the Graduate Advisor.

Procedures for Admission to the Program:

Apply for admission to the Westfield State University Graduate Program.
Obtain a Graduate Program of Study form from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the English Department Advisor to complete the Graduate Program of Study form. Secure the signatures of the Advisor, the Department Chair or Program Director, and the Dean of Graduate Studies after completion of the form. Submit this form within the first semester after you have been accepted in the program.

M.A. in English leading to Professional Licensure (5-8)(8-12) - 34 Credits: For the state of MA only

Prerequisites: Initial licensure as a teacher of English in Massachusetts or approval of program director. See additional prerequisites for M.A. candidates listed in English, Initial, M.A. .

A. Course Work - 30 Credits

ENGL 0539 - Advanced Methods of Teaching English Credits: 3
ENGL 0609 - Contemporary Issues in English Teaching Credits: 3
ENGL 0608 - Theories of Literary Criticism Credits: 3
One 600-level course in American literature Credits: 3
One 600-level course in British literature Credits: 3
One 600-level course in Diversity Credits:3
One additional course at the 500 or 600 level: 3 Credits
Nine additional credits at the 600 level: 9 Credits

Note:

**History of the English Language or the Structure of Modern English must be included in the program for students who have not had one of these courses as an undergraduate. Up to six credits may be taken in a related discipline (such as history). Written permission from the English Graduate Advisor, Director of the program or English Department Chair must be obtained before taking these credits.

B. Capstone

ENGL 0646 - Pre-Capstone Course Credits: 1
ENGL 0626 - Seminar in English Education Capstone Experience Credits: 3

C. Foreign Language

Competence in one foreign language (e.g., French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian) is required. This competence may be demonstrated in one of these ways:

Grades of C or better in two semesters of intermediate level undergraduate foreign language study, within 10 years; or
Acceptable performance in a national reading competence examination.