4+1 Accelerated Master of Arts in English Studies

Top-level students thriving in the English major are encouraged to consider this program, which allows students to earn two degrees in five years instead of six and skip a year’s worth of tuition and class time. A streamlined application and immediate decision saves the hassle of completing long graduate school applications and the stress of waiting for decisions.  Graduates will be stronger applicants for MFA and PhD programs and better prepared for careers in a variety of public and private sectors.

Admissions Criteria for the 4+1 Master of Arts in English Program 

  • Personal statement including desired emphasis (see below)
  • Current resume
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 and five upper division undergraduate English courses

Students apply for one of three emphases: literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition. 

  • Fall – Senior Year

    6000-level: Critical Methodology

    Spring – Senior Year

    5000-level Literature
    5000-level Creative Writing

    Summer – Graduate Year

    5000-level Literature

    Fall – Graduate Year

    5000-level Literature (British) or 5000-level Rhetoric
    5000-level Literature (British) 
    6000-level Literature (Major/author/period/genre)

    Spring –  Graduate Year

    6000-level: Contemporary Critical Theory
    5000-level Creative Writing or 5000-level Literature (American)
    6000-level Literature (Major author/period/genre)

  • Fall – Senior Year

    6000-level: Critical Methodology

    Spring – Senior Year

    5000-level Creative Writing
    5000-level Literature

    Summer – Graduate Year

    5000-level Creative Writing

    Fall – Graduate Year

    5000-level Literature (American)
    5000-level Literature (British) or 5000-level Rhetoric
    6000-level Creative Writing

    Spring – Graduate Year

    6000-level: Contemporary Critical Theory
    5000-level Creative Writing
    6000-level Literature (Major author/period/genre)

  • Fall – Senior Year

    6000-level: Critical Methodology

    Spring – Senior Year

    5000-level Linguistics or Reading Theory
    5000-level Literature

    Summer – Graduate Year

    5000-level Literature

    Fall – Graduate Year

    5000-level Theory of Teaching Writing & Literature
    5000-level Rhetoric
    6000-level Literature (Major/author/period/genre)

    Spring – Graduate Year

    6000-level: Contemporary Critical Theory
    6000-level Rhetoric
    6000-level Literature (Major author/period/genre)