Gain a deeper understanding of how literature, theory, language and culture have relevance in the modern world at our Carnegie R-1 institution. Faculty members take their roles as mentors very seriously, giving students the careful attention that helps them define and achieve their professional goals.
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Build connections and thrive with close faculty mentoring in a supportive community. Keeping our program small ensures students enjoy a sense of community and can benefit from close faculty mentoring.
Director of Graduate Studies
Contact James Mardock, Ph.D. if you have questions about our program.
Application deadline
Complete your application by December 15 for Fall admission.
Fast-track your future
Earn your BA and MA in English in less time through our accelerated program.
The Department of English offers four areas of emphasis within its M.A. program. Those emphases allow students to pursue research goals that align most closely with their personal interests. No matter which emphases you choose, you can expect to find qualified and caring mentors within the Department of English faculty. These professors are experts in topics such as rhetoric, composition theory, British literature, American literature, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, digital media, gender studies and public engagement.
To complete their degree, graduate students are subject to our general degree requirements and those of their selected area of study.
Select an area to find emphasis-specific degree requirements in our Graduate Student Handbook:
Language and Linguistics
Designed for students with some background in linguistics, this emphasis complements degrees in anthropology, psychology, philosophy, English, and more. It can serve as a terminal M.A. or prepare students for linguistics Ph.D. programs.
Literature
Explore English, American, and Anglophone literature through courses focused on cultural studies, narrative, archival research, and literature's connection to environment and science. Faculty specialize in Renaissance, Victorian, and global 20th-century studies, offering diverse critical perspectives.
Public Engagement
Ideal for students pursuing careers in teaching, nonprofits, or Ph.D. programs, this emphasis blends literature, writing, and rhetoric with a focus on power, place, and publics. Coursework is tailored with advisors to meet academic and career goals, starting with a required seminar in public intellectualism.
Rhetoric and Writing Studies
This emphasis strengthens writing skills and deepens understanding of language and literature. Students may focus on composition pedagogy, writing workshops, or related fields like linguistics or literacy studies.
Graduate school admission requirements
Graduate school admission requirements vary for domestic, international, and graduate special applicants. Select from the options below to learn more.
Virtual open houses
Each fall and spring semester, the Graduate School hosts multiple free, online Virtual Open Houses. Register in advance to learn about the University’s on-campus and online graduate programs and get questions answered by faculty, staff and current graduate students.
Graduate student housing
Interested in living on campus? Learn more about Ponderosa Village, an on-campus community for graduate students and their families.
