Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 
    
2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, General Emphasis MA


Total Credits: 33


Degree Core


Project/Thesis


Candidates must complete one of the following options:

  1. Project paper (30-50+ pages)
  2. Two project papers (each a minimum of 20 pages)
  3. MA thesis (75-100+ pages)

General Emphasis


This program provides a balanced array of courses in literature and literary theory, composition and rhetoric, and language. Additional required courses are:

Admission Requirements


  1. Applicants must meet the English Proficiency Requirements .
  2. Applicants must have earned a minimum of 20 semester hours (30 quarter credits) in English courses as prerequisites, including ENGL 460  (or its equivalent).
    • These prerequisites are in addition to the General Education composition requirement.
    • It is desirable to have completed an English undergraduate major of at least 30 semester hours (45 quarter credits).
    • Students taking the MA: English (TESOL) must have completed ENGL 300  (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite.
    • Applicants with fewer English prerequisite credits than the minimum number required must remove the deficiencies by taking additional English courses other than those required for the MA degree.
  3. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by having done one of the following:
    • Earned credit through the intermediate college level with a minimum average grade of C.
    • Passed an exam approved by the English Department.
    • Completed their education through secondary school in a first language other than English.

English Language Requirements


Students whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English-language proficiency before they are accepted into any program in the Department of English.  To qualify for admission, students must obtain at least a minimum composite score on one of the following exams, with component score(s) at or above those indicated:

  1. Paper-based TOEFL (ITP) composite score of 600 with no component score lower than 55.  An additional written essay exam is required with a minimum score of 80, and an additional speaking evaluation with a score of not less than 3. 
  2. Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) composite score of 100, with Reading and Listening component scores of at least 15, Writing component score of at least 17, and Speaking component score of at least 18.
  3. MELAB composite score of 84 with no component score lower than 80.
  4. IELTS composite score of 7, with Reading, Listening, and Speaking component scores of at least 6, and a Writing component score of at least 5.

The exam must be taken within two years prior to enrollment.  Students who score below these levels may complete lanugage requirements by enrolling in Intensive English Program courses (ENSL) on campus.  Students with a score on the TOEFL ITP of 575-599 (or the equivalent on any of the four other exams) may be eligible for the Language Bridge Program which allows students to take a limited number of degree program courses while completing language proficiency requirements in Intensive English Program courses. Students in the Language Bridge Program must demonstrate language proficiency within two semesters in order to continue in the degree program.  Exceptions to these requirements may be granted by the Department of Communications on an individual basis.