The department offers two plans of study leading to the M.A. degree:

1. Plan A, which requires at least eight courses consisting of a minimum of 24 hours of course work together with a thesis; or
   
2. Plan B, which requires at least ten courses consisting of a minimum of 30 hours with an essay.

Initially, acceptance of students is made under Plan B.  Authorization of Plan A is contingent on the approval of the English Graduate Committee and may be petitioned for after the student has completed at least six credit hours of study.  Students taking Plan B have the option of including one of two writing tracks in their degree program:  Creative Writing, or Composition and Rhetorical Studies.

At the time of acceptance, each student is assigned to a department advisor. The student’s program must be planned with the advisor’s approval.  Students are required to take at least three courses that examine pre-Romantic materials, and to take at least three courses that examine materials from the Romantics or post-eighteenth century onwards.  Students who have not had a course in literary theory as undergraduates are strongly urged to take EN 490, EN 495, or EN 590 as part of the graduate program.  Students who have selected one of the writing tracks will substitute writing workshops or related classes for four courses in literary periods. Candidates for the M.A. in English may apply no more than three 400‑level courses towards the fulfillment of degree requirements.  First-year graduate assistants are required to take EN 589 as preparation for teaching composition classes.  The final examination for the Master of Arts in English is based on a reading list made available to each student on admission to the program.  M.A. students should acquire the English Department’s Handbook to the Master of Arts in English and the English Department’s Guide for Thesis and Essay Presentation.  All official policies and requirements are specified in this Bulletin.