Degree: Master of Arts (MA)
Field of Study: English

Program Overview

The department offers a Master of Arts program devoted to literatures in English.

Admissions

Candidates for graduate work in English should present an undergraduate major in English or a minimum of 18 credit hours of English (or its equivalent) beyond the first year level. In some cases, students will be required to make up deficiencies in their preparation without receiving graduate credit. Candidates must also submit a writing sample, consisting of at least 15 pages of academic writing.

A maximum of 6 credit hours of transfer credit will be accepted from another institution and applied toward the MA, provided they were earned in graduate-level courses, with the approval of the department and the dean of graduate studies. Such courses must have been taken within five years of matriculation at Case Western Reserve University and passed with grades of B or better.

Graduate Assistantships

New and continuing graduate students are normally supported with graduate assistantships providing tuition remission and a living stipend. Assistantships are awarded by the dean on the recommendation of the department. All graduate assistants are required to take university- and department-level teacher training courses during their first semester at the university.

Teaching is viewed as an essential part of the education of graduate students aspiring to academic posts, and is required of all students working under assistantships. The department provides opportunities for graduate assistants to gain teaching experience in a variety of courses and in the Writing Resource Center.

Graduate Policies

For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students initially admitted to the Master of Arts in English degree program complete 30 credit hours of coursework and a written examination. Students take three courses in the first semester and two per semester for the balance of the degree. All MA students take ENGL 400; and ENGL 487 (or an equivalent course in theory). Students will complete three semesters of a one credit hour seminar tied to the Department Colloquium. Students must also take at least one and no more than four from each of the following areas:

1. British Literature before 1800
2. British Literature since 1800
3. American Literature
4. Other departmental offerings at the 400- or 500-levels, including linguistics, rhetoric, critical theory, film, and creative writing. (Note that some of these courses are by permission of the instructor.)

Master's Non-Thesis Option

In normal circumstances, students take the MA Comprehensive Examination over the course of their second year of study. Part I is a 90-minute oral examination covering a set reading list; Part II involves the revision of a course paper and the submission of a portfolio.

MA Reading List

Master's Thesis Option

In exceptional cases, students may be able to write a Master’s thesis. Students pursuing the Thesis Option complete 24 credit hours of coursework and write a thesis over the course of the second year that reflects 6 credit hours of writing and research. While there is no comprehensive examination for students pursuing the Thesis Option, students must nevertheless earn a unanimous “pass” on the thesis and the thesis defense from a supervisory committee.