Master of Arts in English Postgraduate Program By Case Western Reserve University |Top Universities

Master of Arts in English

Subject Ranking

# 251-300QS Subject Rankings

Main Subject Area

English Language and LiteratureMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Study Level

Masters

The Department of English offers programs in American and English literature and language leading to the Master of Arts degree. At either the MA or PhD level, students may elect a project concentration in Writing History and Theory. Candidates for graduate work in English should present an undergraduate major in English or a minimum of 18 semester hours of English (or its equivalent) beyond the freshman level. In some cases, students will be required to make up deficiencies without graduate credit. The department requires all candidates for admission to submit their scores on the aptitude sections of the Graduate Record Examination. Candidates are also required to submit a writing sample, consisting of at least 15 pages of academic writing. A maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit will be accepted from another institution, provided they were earned in graduate-level courses, with the approval of the department and the dean of graduate studies. Such courses must have been taken within five years of matriculation at Case Western Reserve University and passed with grades of B or better. The department accommodates part-time students in certain circumstances. Teaching is viewed as an essential part of the education of graduate students aspiring to academic posts, and is required of all students working under assistantships. The department provides opportunities for graduate assistants to gain teaching experience in a variety of courses and in the Writing Resource Center. New and continuing graduate students are normally supported with graduate assistantships providing tuition remission and a living stipend. Assistantships are awarded by the dean on recommendation of the department. Applicants to the PhD program with previous teaching experience are preferred. All graduate assistants are required to take university- and department-level training courses in their first semester of work at the University. Students initially admitted to the MA degree complete 27 hours of course work and a written examination. Students take three courses in the first semester and two per semester for the balance of the degree. All MA students take English 510: Research Methods; English 400: Composition and the Teaching of Writing; and English 487: Literary and Critical Theory (or an equivalent course in theory). Students must also take at least one and no more than four from each of the following areas: British Literature to 1800 British Literature since 1800 American Literature Other Departmental offerings at the 400- or 500-levels, including linguistics, rhetoric, critical theory, film, and creative writing. (Note that some of these courses are by permission of the instructor.) In normal circumstances, students take the MA Comprehensive Examination in their third semester (fall of the second year). The examination is a week-long take-home exam covering a reading list of approximately 15 works ranging across genres, historical periods, and national traditions. MA Exam List 2015 (editions) In exceptional cases, students may be able to write a Master’s thesis. Students pursuing the Thesis Option complete 21 hours of course work and write a thesis over the course of the second year that reflects 6 credits of writing and research. While there is no comprehensive examination for students pursuing the Thesis Option, students must nevertheless earn a unanimous “pass” on the thesis and the thesis defense from a supervisory committee. Beginning in 2015-16, the Department expects to offer a three-semester MA for students admitted directly from the BA to the PhD degree. Requirements remain the same, though the timetable for course completion is slightly accelerated.

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Study Level

Masters

The Department of English offers programs in American and English literature and language leading to the Master of Arts degree. At either the MA or PhD level, students may elect a project concentration in Writing History and Theory. Candidates for graduate work in English should present an undergraduate major in English or a minimum of 18 semester hours of English (or its equivalent) beyond the freshman level. In some cases, students will be required to make up deficiencies without graduate credit. The department requires all candidates for admission to submit their scores on the aptitude sections of the Graduate Record Examination. Candidates are also required to submit a writing sample, consisting of at least 15 pages of academic writing. A maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit will be accepted from another institution, provided they were earned in graduate-level courses, with the approval of the department and the dean of graduate studies. Such courses must have been taken within five years of matriculation at Case Western Reserve University and passed with grades of B or better. The department accommodates part-time students in certain circumstances. Teaching is viewed as an essential part of the education of graduate students aspiring to academic posts, and is required of all students working under assistantships. The department provides opportunities for graduate assistants to gain teaching experience in a variety of courses and in the Writing Resource Center. New and continuing graduate students are normally supported with graduate assistantships providing tuition remission and a living stipend. Assistantships are awarded by the dean on recommendation of the department. Applicants to the PhD program with previous teaching experience are preferred. All graduate assistants are required to take university- and department-level training courses in their first semester of work at the University. Students initially admitted to the MA degree complete 27 hours of course work and a written examination. Students take three courses in the first semester and two per semester for the balance of the degree. All MA students take English 510: Research Methods; English 400: Composition and the Teaching of Writing; and English 487: Literary and Critical Theory (or an equivalent course in theory). Students must also take at least one and no more than four from each of the following areas: British Literature to 1800 British Literature since 1800 American Literature Other Departmental offerings at the 400- or 500-levels, including linguistics, rhetoric, critical theory, film, and creative writing. (Note that some of these courses are by permission of the instructor.) In normal circumstances, students take the MA Comprehensive Examination in their third semester (fall of the second year). The examination is a week-long take-home exam covering a reading list of approximately 15 works ranging across genres, historical periods, and national traditions. MA Exam List 2015 (editions) In exceptional cases, students may be able to write a Master’s thesis. Students pursuing the Thesis Option complete 21 hours of course work and write a thesis over the course of the second year that reflects 6 credits of writing and research. While there is no comprehensive examination for students pursuing the Thesis Option, students must nevertheless earn a unanimous “pass” on the thesis and the thesis defense from a supervisory committee. Beginning in 2015-16, the Department expects to offer a three-semester MA for students admitted directly from the BA to the PhD degree. Requirements remain the same, though the timetable for course completion is slightly accelerated.

Admission Requirements

7+

Scholarships

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