Master of Arts with a Major in English
The M.A. program in English equips students with the skills to engage with, interpret, and analyze multiple forms of texts as they create original forms of scholarship, theory, pedagogy, and creative and professional writing. The graduate faculty in English prepare graduate students whose knowledge of texts and their languages informs their intellectual and ethical understanding, and whose critical thinking and communication skills (in digital as well as print formats) allow them to contribute to their regional, national, and international communities in a variety of careers and positions.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The M.A. program in English is designed to cultivate advanced mastery of content within the discipline, refined skills in professional and scholarly writing, comprehensive knowledge of critical practices, and a keen awareness of contemporary issues in the study of literature. Graduate students will be able to demonstrate advanced mastery of content within the discipline by answering comprehensive questions about specific writers, genres, texts, and literary periods that they have studied and that they have achieved refined skills in professional and scholarly writing. This expectation presumes a command of pertinent critical assumptions, methodologies, and practices.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/English
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Classes are available with a mix of face-to-face and synchronous online offerings, but this program cannot be completed 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 6
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Students accepted into the program may choose either a thesis (Plan I), or capstone (Plan II) option. Students enrolled in the M.A. English degree program must take at least 80% of their coursework at the 6000 (graduate seminar) level.
Plan I: Thesis consists of 30 credit hours, of which 24 are coursework and 6 are thesis (ENGL 6399). Within the 24 hours of coursework (8 courses), a minimum of 7 courses (21 hours) must be at the 6000-level. The 6 hours of thesis work cannot be used to satisfy this requirement for work at the 6000 level. Students on the thesis track must register for thesis hours (ENGL 6399) in the semester(s) they prepare and submit the thesis project. A minimum of 21 hours of the coursework must be in English, and students wishing to use courses from other disciplines for credit toward the degree must get approval from the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in English. Students may meet the thesis requirement by either writing a scholarly work (a minimum of 65 pages in length) or a creative writing work (a collection of poems, creative nonfiction, or fiction that includes a critical and/or theoretical introduction). The thesis must be defended and approved by the student's thesis committee, composed of the student's major professor and two other graduate faculty readers.
Plan II: Capstone consists of 27 hours of coursework (9 courses) and 3 hours of Thesis (ENGL 6399). A minimum of 24 hours (8 courses) must be in English, and 21 credit hours (7 courses) must be at the 6000 level. In addition, students will complete a capstone project in their final semester of study. The 3 hours of capstone work (ENGL 6399) cannot be used to satisfy the requirement for work at the 6000 level. Critical projects should be approximately 20-35 pages, engage in original scholarly research, and demonstrate advanced mastery of pertinent critical assumptions, methodologies, and practices in the discipline. The parameters of creative projects are comparable to those of the critical project but are determined by the student's project director in accordance with the genre in which the student is writing. Critical and creative projects must be defended and approved by the student's capstone committee, composed of the student's major professor and two other graduate faculty readers.
Under both plans, students must get the approval of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in English for their course selections each semester. An oral defense of the thesis or capstone is required. The Director of Graduate Studies must approve all courses taken outside of English or they will not count toward the degree. Students must provide an acceptable rationale for courses taken outside of English that indicates how the courses relate to their overall professional goals in completing the degree.
Note: Students should consult with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies as they choose a project director and readers for their committee and will work with their committee to schedule and plan for the project defense. All graduate students in English are required to demonstrate awareness of diversity and global studies issues by completing at least one program course with a built-in diversity element such as courses with significant content in African American literature (including film), Native American literature, Global or Postcolonial Literature, theoretical approaches focused on global/diversity perspectives or similar topics. Students who have taken an ENGL 4XXX course as an undergraduate at West Georgia cannot receive credit toward the M.A. degree in English for the concurrent ENGL 5XXX course unless the student and/or instructor can provide evidence that the content of the course (readings, topics, etc.) is significantly different than when he/she took it as an ENGL 4XXX course. Students may repeat specific 5000 and 6000-level courses for credit, if the course covers a different subject or period (e.g. ENGL 6105: Seminar in British Literature I, Medieval Literature and ENGL 6105: Seminar in British Literature I, Renaissance Literature).
General
A tightly focused examination of some aspect of pre-nineteenth-century British literature in its historical, ideological, and/or cultural context. The topic for this course varies. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
A tightly focused examination of some aspect of pre-Civil War American literature in its historical, ideological, and/or cultural context. The topic for this course varies. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
A tightly focused examination of some aspect of post-nineteenth-century British literature in its historical, ideological, and/or cultural context. The topic for this course varies. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
A tightly focused examination of some aspect of post-Civil War American literature in its historical, ideological, and/or cultural context. The topic for this course varies. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
Study of a specific theme, critical approach, and/or concept that transcends boundaries established by the other 6000-level offerings in the program. Typical offerings may include Transatlantic Influences in Modernist Literature, Literature of Migration and Settlement, and Theory and Praxis of Creative Writing. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
Research and preparation of an M.A. thesis under the supervision of an approved faculty advisor. Must be taken in the semester(s) the thesis project is prepared and submitted.
Kevin Casper, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Chad Davidson, Ph.D.
School of the Arts Director and Professor of English
Patrick Erben, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Matt Franks, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Gregory Fraser, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Rebecca Harrison, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Leah Haught, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English & Coordinator for Publishing and Editing Certificate
Angela Insenga, Ph.D.
Professor of English and Coordinator of Film Studies
Joshua Masters, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Laura Miller, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Margaret Mitchell, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Alison Umminger, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Graduate Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in English or equivalent course work in English, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
- Three positive letters of recommendation from professional sources qualified to address the candidate's specific disciplinary strengths.
- Personal Statement: A persuasive narrative statement that articulates the candidate's reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in English.
All decisions on admission will be made by the Graduate Program Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies, subject to final administrative approval.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
678-839-1394
graduate@westga.edu
For program specific information:
Director of Graduate Studies in English
Dr. Alison Umminger
aumminge@westga.edu
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Graduate students will demonstrate advanced master of content within the discipline by answering comprehensive questions about specific writers, texts, and literary periods in four major areas: British Literature, American Literature, and a Specialist Area (e.g. theory, pedagogy, film, creative writing, publishing and editing)
Graduate students will demonstrate an advanced facility in connecting literary works to their specific historical and cultural contexts in four major areas: British Literature, American Literature, and a Specialist area.
Graduate students will demonstrate an advanced understanding of contemporary critical and theoretical methodologies that are applicable to the study of literary and cultural texts.