English, MA
Advocacy, Communication, Community, Criticism, Culture, Education, Ethnic Studies, Gender, Multilingual, Research, literacy, literature, media, rhetoric, writing
Study in a dynamic, multidisciplinary English department. With four distinct tracks available, you can choose the best pathway to achieving your goals. Graduates gain analytic and communication skills that are valued in academic, industry and nonprofit sectors.
The Master of Arts program in English allows for a variety of studies within four distinct tracks, and opportunities for internships and professional development:
Comparative literature --- Students interpret cultural productions in English and at least one other language, using approaches such as textual criticism, critical theory, and translation and cultural studies.
English studies --- Students in this online track learn how to interpret complex cultural, historical, literary and language-related materials, as well as articulate and mobilize this knowledge for general audiences through a series of courses from across disciplinary areas of study.
Literature --- Students develop skills in literary and cultural analysis, explore social and historical contexts, address theoretical issues and pursue interdisciplinary modes of inquiry.
Writing, rhetorics and literacies --- Students engage with various approaches to the history, theory and practices of rhetoric and pedagogies of writing and composition.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours and a thesis - Comparative Literature Track, or
30 credit hours and a thesis - Literature Track, or
30 credit hours and a thesis - Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593) - Comparative Literature Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593) - Literature Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593) - Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track, or
30 credits hours including the required capstone course (ENG 597) - English Studies Track
Required Core (3 credit hours)
ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
Track Coursework (12-18 credit hours)
Comparative Literature Track (15 credit hours)
one course in concept and methods (3)
four courses in a language other than English (12)
English Studies Track (18 credit hours)
one course in linguistics (3)
one course in literature (3)
one course in writing, rhetorics and literacies (3)
one course in English education (3)
two additional courses (6)
Literature Track (18 credit hours)
ENG 502 Contemporary Critical Theories (3)
one course in early literatures and cultures (3)
one course in modern and contemporary literatures and cultures (3)
one course in global, ethnic, and transnational literatures and cultures (3)
one course in methods and approaches (3)
one course in language and linguistics (3)
Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track (12 credit hours)
one course in composition theory (3)
one course in rhetoric theory (3)
two 600-level courses (6)
Electives (3-12 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
ENG 593 Applied Project (3) or
ENG 597 Graduate Capstone Seminar (3) or
ENG 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students should see the academic unit for the approved lists of track coursework.
Students must choose one of the following tracks: comparative literature; English studies; literature; or writing, rhetorics and literacies. Students complete 12 to 18 credit hours of track coursework and 3 to 12 credit hours of electives depending on their track and culminating experience.
The capstone culminating experience option is available to students in the English studies track only. Students in this track must take the capstone. Students in one of the other tracks must select an applied project or thesis for the culminating experience.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- resume or curriculum vitae
- letters of recommendation
- academic writing sample relevant to the field
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Students should see the Department of English website for specific details about English proficiency requirements. Applications are not processed without valid proof of English proficiency. More information about English proficiency requirements can be found on the department's admission website. Official scores must be sent to ASU for the application to be processed.
Applicants to the comparative literature track must prove fluency in a foreign language at a level sufficient for graduate study.
The two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose should detail the applicant's background, reasons for wanting to do graduate work in the track to which the applicant is applying, and plans for the future.
Three letters of recommendation are required for applicants to the comparative literature; literature; and writing, rhetorics and literacies tracks. Applicants to the English studies track are required to submit two academic or professional letters of recommendation; a third recommendation letter is optional.
An academic writing sample is required for applicants to the comparative literature; literature; and writing, rhetorics and literacies tracks. Applicants to the English studies track are not required to submit a writing sample (the statement of purpose serves as the writing sample).
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/22 | Final |
| Session A/C | Online | 07/24 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 09/17 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/14 | Final |
| Session A/C | Online | 12/15 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 02/16 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 04/21 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 06/04 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Graduates from the MA program in English at ASU will be able to use concepts from a discipline in English studies to analyze (break into constituent parts) a relevant creative, literary, rhetorical or linguistic artifact or other cultural phenomenon according to standards of rigor in the field.
- Graduates from the MA program in English at ASU will be able to compose a compelling case, argument or creative work relevant to English studies that meets or exceeds standards of rigor in the field.
- Graduates of the MA program will be able to use theories, concepts and methods from a discipline in English studies to sustain an evidence-based line of reasoning that makes a grounded, situated and qualified contribution according to standards of rigor in the field.
Professionals with expertise in all areas of English studies are able to articulate and translate complex ideas for a general audience. Graduates are prepared for career opportunities in public humanities, business, digital media, teaching, museums, nonprofits and arts organizations. In addition, their advanced skills in writing, oral presentation and critical thinking are valuable assets for any career.
Career examples include:
- communications director
- copywriter
- editor or author
- human resources specialist
- instructor
- library or museum administrator
- market research analyst
- publisher
- social media manager
- technical writer
- web content writer or specialist
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
enggrad@asu.edu
480-965-3168
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
