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Nov 26, 2024
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2009-2011 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
English
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 Return to: Graduate Degree Programs
Program Mission: The Master of Arts in English offers students opportunities to pursue advanced training in one of four areas of concentration: Literary Studies, Literary Studies with Creative Writing emphasis, Composition/Rhetoric and Professional Writing. The program will prepare students for careers in a variety of fields, including secondary and college-level teaching, editing and publishing, research and technical writing in either the private or the public sector. Master of Arts graduates will also be prepared to undertake further study at the doctoral level. Close contact with the department’s excellent graduate faculty allows students to deepen their knowledge of literary study, the teaching of writing and literature, and the use of technology for both scholarly and practical research. Graduate assistantships, internships, mentorships, and some classroom teaching are available and integrated into students’ individualized programs of study.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”) and provide a documented score on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam. The following should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator in English:
- Two Letters of Recommendation: Provide each letter writer with a copy of the Letter of Recommendation Form. Letter writers should mail letters directly to the Graduate Coordinator of English.
- Personal Statement: Submit a statement of 500-750 words that explains your reasons for undertaking graduate study, your academic preparation, your interests and goals.
- Writing Sample: Send a sample of critical writing that shows us your ability to think and write critically on one of the following: 1) a subject related to English; 2) the academic interests you intend to pursue in graduate school; 3) an area of study in which you have research and writing experience. Your sample should be at least 5 pages long and no more than 20.
- Optional: Curriculum Vitae or resume attached to the personal statement.
- International students must also document a score of at least 600 on the TOEFL.
Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.
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Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”). In addition, the Master of Arts in English is earned either by satisfactorily completing 30 hours of coursework and a thesis, or 33 hours of coursework and passing a comprehensive examination. A maximum of 9 semester hours earned in scheduled English courses numbered 4750-4999 and/or (with prior approval) of courses numbered 5000 and above in other departments can be applied towards the Master of Arts in English. Degree candidates in English must meet all degree requirements stipulated by the Graduate School. Concentrations for the Master of Arts in English
Literary Studies
The required courses for the 30-hour option with the thesis and the 33-hour option with written comprehensive exams are listed below: 30-Hour Option plus Thesis Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33 to 36
- Literature Courses. Credits: 18
- Electives. Credits: 9
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33 to 36
- Literature Courses. Credits: 15
- Electives. Credits: 8*
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. 33-Hour Option plus Exam Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credits: 36
- Literature Courses. Credits: 18
- Electives. Credits: 12
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credits: 36
- Literature Courses. Credits: 18
- Electives. Credits: 8*
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. Literary Studies with Creative Writing Emphasis
All candidates in this option must complete a master’s thesis. All candidates must complete at least 10 credits of creative writing classes, with at least one creative writing class in the genre chosen for the thesis. 30-Hour Option plus Thesis Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 34 to 37
- Literature Courses. Credits: 12
- Electives. Credits: 6
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
- Additional Creative Writing Courses. Credits: 9
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 34 to 37
- Literature Courses. Credits: 12
- Electives. Credits: 5*
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
- Additional Creative Writing Courses. Credits: 9
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. Composition/Rhetoric
The required courses for the 30-hour option with a thesis and the 30-hour option with a comprehensive exam/tutorial are listed below: 30-Hour Option plus Thesis Required Courses
Curriculum for Composition/Rhetoric Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33 to 36
- Electives. Credits: 18
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
Curriculum for Composition/Rhetoric Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33 to 36
- Electives. Credits: 17
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. 33-Hour Option plus Exam Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credits: 36
- Electives. Credits: 21
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credits: 36
- Electives. Credits: 20
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. Professional Writing
Candidates have the option of completing a traditional thesis, an applied thesis, or an exam. The required courses for the 30-hour option with the thesis and the 33-hour option with written comprehensive exam are listed below: 30-Hour Option plus Thesis Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33-36
- Electives. Credits: 15
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Thesis. Credits: 33-36
- Electives. Credits: 11*
- Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. 33-Hour Option plus Exam Required Courses
Curriculum for Candidates Not Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credits: 36
- Elective. Credits: 18
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
Curriculum for Candidates Holding Assistantships
Total Hours with Exam. Credit: 36
- Electives. Credits: 14*
- Examination/Tutorial. Credits: 3
*Students with assistantships who want to be considered for a teaching assignment in year 2 must take ENG 5502 as one of their electives. Graduate Assistantships
Candidates applying for an assistantship must have a GPA of 3.00. They need to submit to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies the following documents: a completed application form (available on the Graduate School’s web site), two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample (a professional or scholarly essay of 5 to 20 pages).
For a Graduate Assistantship checklist please visit: http://castle.eiu.edu/english/student/gradchecklist.htm
More information on assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Department of English, 3135 Coleman Hall, EIU. |
Return to: Graduate Degree Programs
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