College of Arts and Sciences
Departments
English
Major in English - Master of Arts (M.A.)
The MA has a two-part, “stackable” structure that includes the completion of both a 20-credit graduate certificate in one of three areas: 1) Literature, 2) Composition, or 3) Language and Literature; as well as the completion of a further 16 credits of master’s level coursework that extends students’ breadth and depth of knowledge in the field. The stand-alone certificates meet the discipline-specific graduate coursework in literature and composition that the HLC requires, and individuals who already hold a master’s degree in another discipline (M.S.Ed. e.g.) will pursue the certificate route. Students who need both the discipline-specific coursework and a master’s degree will take the additional coursework required to earn that degree.
Specific areas of focus in the Certificate and MA curriculum include:
2) Deep understanding of the linguistic structure and history of the English language;
3) Command of a wide variety of reading strategies associated with genre and close
reading, and possess the knowledge and tools necessary to teach these skills;
4) Possess analytical and presentation skills developed through the focused study of
literature in a seminar format;
5) Facility with the tools and creativity in the conduct of archival research;
6) An appreciation of current developments, trends and frontiers in the field of Digital
Humanities;
7) The standards for training and expertise required to meet the HLC’s standard for “Qualified” instructor
Program Admission Criteria
Admission to the collaborative M.A. in English is a two-tiered process. Students first apply to one of the three online “stackable” graduate certificates (Literature, Literature and Language, and Composition). The certificate application is streamlined and requires a less-specialized dossier.
Admission to the Certificate Programs (Literature, Composition, Language & Literature).
Minimum Academic Qualifications:
Required Certificate Application Materials:
Admission to the M.A. Program
Certificate students who wish to pursue the online M.A. in English will have a track record of success in graduate coursework, completed papers and projects, as well as connections with their online instructors, which will provide them with the information and materials they need for the M.A. application.
Minimum Academic Qualifications:
Certificate students will become eligible to apply for admission to the M.A. after they have completed 3 certificate courses with a 3.5 or better GPA.
Required M.A. in English Application Materials:
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit, satisfactory academic progress, and dismissal from the certificate program will follow University Graduate School policy as published in University Graduate School Bulletin and Graduate Handbook. Current policy is as follows:
Transfer Credit: With the approval of the steering committee and in accordance with pertinent IU policies, students may transfer in one four- credit course in partial satisfaction of certificate requirements. No course may be transferred from another institution unless the grade is a B or higher.
Satisfactory Academic Progress and Dismissal
A 3.0 GPA is required for good standing. Any semester’s work averaging less than a B will result in the student being placed on academic probation. Accumulation of three individual course grades of C (2.0) or lower for graduate credit will result in dismissal of the student from the program. The department evaluates each student’s progress toward the degree every year.
Dismissed students must sit out at least one semester. The curriculum committee will read petitions from students seeking re-entry on a rolling basis. The committee will look for evidence that the student has addressed the underlying issues and obstacles to academic success. Petitions must be submitted at least six weeks ahead of the academic term for which the student seeks enrollment.
Degree Structure and Requirements
Students pursuing the collaborative M.A. in English will complete a two-part degree program that includes a 20-credit stand-alone graduate certificate chosen from the following three options, Literature, Language & Literature, or Composition Studies (Part I), and 16 credits of additional master’s degree coursework (Part II).
Required courses for the online M.A. in English will run using the ENG subject code and carry 4 credits.
Part I: Completion of one following three Graduate Certificate options (20 credits)
Option #1 Graduate Certificate in Literature
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Literature, students must complete five graduate courses for 20 credits.
Course requirements are as follows:
Introductory Course—Teaching Literature at the College Level
ENG-L 503 Teaching of Literature in College
History, Methods, and Practice of Literary Study
ENG-L 553 Studies in Literature
Course on the History and Development of the English Language or English Literature
Complete one of:
ENG-D 600/ENG-G655 History of the English Language
ENG L639 English Fiction To 1800
ENG L641 English Literature 1790-1900
ENG L660 Studies In British and American Literature
ENG L681 Genre Studies
Two Electives—any two ENG-L courses (in addition to L503 and L553)
ENG-L class at the 500/600 level
ENG-L class at the 500/600 level
Option #2 Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature, students must complete five graduate courses for 20 credits.
Course requirements are as follows:
Introductory Course—Graduate Composition Studies—
Complete one of:
ENG W509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies, Or
ENG W500 Teaching Composition
Introductory Course—Teaching Literature at the College Level
ENG L503 Teaching of Literature in College
Course on the History and Development of the English Language or English Literature
Complete one of:
ENG-D 600/ENG-G655 History of the English Language
ENG L639 English Fiction To 1800
ENG L641 English Literature 1790-1900
ENG L660 Studies In British and American Literature
ENG L681 Genre Studies
Writing Pedagogy for College Instructors
Complete one of:
ENG W600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
ENG W682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
ENG W508 Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers
ENG W554 Practicum: Teaching of Creative Writing
Certificate Elective
Complete an additional ENG-L 500/600
Option #3 Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies, students must complete five graduate courses for 20 credits.
Course requirements are as follows:
Introductory Course--Graduate Composition Studies—
Complete one of: ENG W509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies, or
ENG W500 Teaching Composition
Stylistics
Complete one of: ENG G660 Stylistics
ENG L646 Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture
Applied Writing Pedagogy
Complete one of: ENG W510 Computers in Composition
ENG W553 Theory and Practice of Exposition
ENG W590 Teaching Composition: Theories & Applications
ENG W620 Advanced Argumentative Writing
Writing Pedagogy for College Instructors
Complete one of: ENG W501 Practicum on the Teaching of Composition in College
ENG W600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
Rhetoric Seminar or Capstone
Complete one of: ENG R546 Rhetoric and Public Culture
ENG W600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
ENG W682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
Part II: Additional Coursework for the M.A. in English (16 credits)
To earn the Master of Arts in English, students must complete an additional four graduate courses for 16 credits.
Courses in Core Skills and Methods of Advanced Literary Study
Complete two courses chosen from the following list (8 credits)
(cannot duplicate certificate enrollments)
ENG L506 Introduction to the Methods of Criticism and Research
ENG L646 Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture
ENG R546 Rhetoric and Public Culture
ENG W509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies
ENG G500 Introduction to the English Language
Electives Courses (8 credits)
Complete any two ENG-X 500/600 level courses.
May include by permission only, ENG-W 609 Independent Writing