Pictured | Amy Martin | M.A., English | B.A., Ball State University, 2009 | Wolcotville, Indiana (hometown)
Volunteer Activities | Dyslexia Tutor; Sunday School Teacher
Club Affiliation | Indiana Association for the Gifted

Master of Arts in English

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English offers a flexible program of study that enables students to shape their course of study. Students take core courses in literary analysis, creative writing, literary theory, and public writing, then choose their own areas of specialization through electives. Finally, students complete a capstone thesis project by working closely with a chosen faculty member to delve into an individually designed project.

Transfer Credit Hours

Students may be allowed to transfer up to two graduate courses or eight credit hours of previous or external coursework including credits from other graduate programs, online courses, or non-degree credits if those courses demonstrably contribute to the work required for the Master of Arts in English. Unless transfer courses are clearly equivalent to the required core courses for the Master of Arts, those courses are counted as electives. Students must submit to the Graduate Director a formal request to transfer courses, including brief descriptions of each course identifying how it contributes to the Master of Arts in English, and supporting documentation such as syllabi, assignments, papers, or other relevant material.

Residency Requirement

This is an in-person program. A minimum of 28 credit hours (seven 4-credit courses) must be completed through in-person classes on IU South Bend’s campus. (Individual exceptions considered on a per case basis).

Academic Regulations

An average grade of B (3.0) is required for graduation, and no course with a grade lower than B– (2.7) is counted toward the degree. Students are required to maintain good academic standing, i.e., to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Failure to maintain good standing may result in dismissal from the program.

All courses are 4 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Degree Requirements (36 cr.)

Required Courses (16 cr.)

Choose one course from each of the four areas. Must be completed in person. Any substitutions or exceptions require the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

All courses are 4 credits unless otherwise stated.

Literary Scholarship (4 cr.)

• ENG-L 501 Professional Scholarship in Literature
• ENG-L 553 Studies in Literature

Literary Theory and Criticism (4 cr.)

• CMLT-XXX Film Study Options
• ENG-L 660 Studies in British and American Literature 1900 to Present
• ENG-L 680 Special Topics in Literary Study and Theory
• ENG-L 6XX 

Creative Writing (4 cr.)

• CMLT-C 694 The Screenplay
• ENG-W 511 Writing Fiction
• ENG-W 513 Writing Poetry
• ENG-W 615 Writing Creative Nonfiction

Public Writing (4 cr.)

• ENG-L 502 Contexts for Study of Writing
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
• ENG-W 616 Prose Style Workshop

Electives (16 cr.)

Select four courses from the list below (Any alternatives require approval of the Director of Graduate Studies)

All courses are 4 credits unless otherwise stated.

Students must take at least one course in the area of specialization that they choose for their final M.A. project. For example, students opting to complete a final MA project in creative writing must complete at least one workshop in the project's genre of choice. Likewise, students opting to complete a final MA project in literature must complete at least one elective in the project's area of specialization (genre or historical period).

• CMLT-C 694 The Screenplay
• ENG-L 501 Professional Scholarship in Literature
• ENG-L 502 Contexts for Study of Writing
• ENG-L 553 Studies in Literature
• ENG-L 590 Internship in English
• ENG-L 612 Chaucer
• ENG-L 623 English Drama from the 1590s to 1800, Exclusive of Shakespeare
• ENG-L 631 English Literature 1660-1790
• ENG-L 639 English Fiction to 1800
• ENG-L 642 Studies in Romantic Literature
• ENG-L 647 Studies in Victorian Literature
• ENG-L 650 Studies in American Literature to 1900
• ENG-L 653 American Literature 1800-1900
• ENG-L 660 Studies in British and American Literature 1900 to Present
• ENG-L 674 Studies in International English Literature
• ENG-L 680 Special Topics in Literary Study and Theory
• ENG-L 681 Genre Studies
• ENG-L 695 Individual Readings in English
• ENG-W 511 Writing Fiction
• ENG-W 513 Writing Poetry
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
• ENG-W 615 Writing Creative Nonfiction
• ENG-W 616 Prose Style Workshop

Final Thesis Project (4 cr.)

• ENG-L 699 MA Thesis; OR
  ENG-W 609 Directed Writing Projects