English, M.A.

Students develop knowledge of literature and its history and expand their abilities to think analytically and write effectively through advanced study and research in British, American, and other literatures. The M.A. program in English thus prepares students for advanced graduate studies in English (Ph.D.), for pre-professional studies (law, business, and administration), for teaching careers, and for work in related fields (e.g., communications, public relations, publishing, and human resources).

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 - 34 Credits

A. Course Work - 30 Credits

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
Twelve additional credits at the 600 level Credits: 12
Two additional English courses at either the 500 or 600 level Credits: 6
One 500-level or 600-level course in Diverse Literatures Credits:3

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 graduate credits may be taken in a related discipline (such as history). Written permission from the English Graduate Advisor or the English Department Chair must be obtained before taking these credits.

B. Capstone

ENGL 0646 - Pre-Capstone Course Credits: 1
ENGL 0647 - Research Folio/Capstone Experience Credits: 3

C. Foreign Language:

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

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