CIP 23.0101
The objectives of the M.A. program in English are:
- To prepare teachers of language, literature and composition at the college and secondary school levels
- To provide a broad foundation for those wishing to pursue further graduate study
- To meet the special needs of a variety of pre-professional programs
Requirements for Admission
Applicants must comply with the Murray State University requirements (see Chapter 2). Non-native English speakers must have a TOEFL score of 20 for each section of the iBT, an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0, or a previous degree earned from an accredited U.S. institution or successful completion of Level 6 of the MSU ESL program.
Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission are:
Unconditional
- Undergraduate major or minor in English
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Conditional
Departmental judgment of probable success based on Graduate Record Examination scores, letters of recommendation, or other evidence such as a planned program of prerequisite courses.
Note: At least half of the total coursework, excluding thesis credit, must be in 600-level courses. Any substitutions for the requirements listed below must be approved by the departmental graduate coordinator.
LITERATURE NON-THESIS TRACK
Total Course Requirements...................................... 30 hours
ENG 600 Research and Bibliography
American literature courses (6 hrs)
British literature courses (6 hrs)
ENG electives (15 hrs)
CREATIVE WRITING
THESIS TRACK
Total Course Requirements......................................30 hours
ENG 600 Research and Bibliography
ENG 698 Thesis Writing
ENG 699 Thesis Writing
American literature courses (6 hrs)
British literature courses (6 hrs)
and nine hours from the following:
ENG 520 Forms of Poetry
ENG 521 Forms of Fiction
ENG 610 Graduate Writer’s Workshop
ENG 671 Special Topics in Creative Writing
ENG 672 Studies in Creative Nonfiction
ENGLISH STUDIES
NON-THESIS TRACK
Total Course Requirements...................................... 30 hours
ENG 600 Research and Bibliography
American literature courses (6 hrs)
British literature courses (6 hrs)
ENG electives (15 hrs)
ENGLISH WITH PHILOSOPHY AS A COGNATE DISCIPLINE THESIS TRACK
Total Course Requirements...................................... 30 hours
ENG 600 Research and Bibliography
ENG 698-699 Thesis Writing
American literature courses (6 hrs)
British literature courses (6 hrs)
ENG or PHI electives (9 hrs)
Total Course Requirements......................................30 hours
Same as above, with the following substitution for thesis:
ENG or PHI electives................................... increase to 15 hrs
Other Degree Requirements
- Written comprehensive examination over an approved reading list.
- Oral examination over the approved reading list or an oral thesis defense.
- Exit portfolio or thesis.