English M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in English at UT Tyler provides exciting opportunities for study in the fields of literature, writing, and rhetoric. Its mission is to graduate students who have mastered advanced skills in critical thinking, textual interpretation, rigorous researching, and analytical writing. The program offers students a deepened understanding of literature’s cultural intellectual legacy, the ability to write well and with discernment, and the skills needed to effectively acquire knowledge and to communicate ideas in preparation for employment or doctoral study.

Master of Arts in English--Total Semester Hours=36

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
2. A satisfactory GRE score on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam. Emphasis will be placed on scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections of the test. GRE scores must be submitted by the end of the first semester of enrollment or 9 hours of course work, whichever comes first. Students who do not have satisfactory scores on the GRE may still be admitted upon the condition that they complete two courses selected in consultation with the Graduate Director. The student must have a cumulative grade of “B” or higher for all courses completed during the period of conditional enrollment.
3. A minimum grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 point scale on all upper-division course work.
4. A minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.0 point scale on twenty-one hours of undergraduate English courses including at least twelve hours of upper-division work.
5. An essay of maximum 500 words stating the applicant’s purpose of pursuing an English MA. This essay should be single-spaced and word-processed. The Statement of Purpose (as with all application materials) should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

   US Postal Service: The University of Texas at Tyler, The Office of Graduate Admissions, Tyler, Texas 75799 Email: [e-mail] . Fax: [phone]

6. Consideration is also given to one or more of the following: the applicant's demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, status as a first generation college graduate, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and family responsibilities.

Degree Requirements

A total of thirty-six semester hours of graduate work is required. No more than nine hours of graduate credit in which a “B” or better has been earned may be transferred from another institution. All transfer work is subject to approval by the student’s advisor. No more than six semester hours in independent study courses and six semester hours in travel/study courses may be applied to this degree. Twelve hours of a single foreign language or an equivalent competency is a requisite for this degree. Subject to departmental approval, hours may be transferred from another institution of higher learning and/or a previous degree. Neither a student's native language nor English as a second language may be used to meet this degree requirement.

Option l: Master of Arts in English with Thesis (36 hours)

 

ENGL 5300	Bibliography and Methods of Research
ENGL 5397	Guided Individual Study
ENGL 5395	Thesis
	or
ENGL 5396	Thesis

 

Two of the following (6 hrs.):

ENGL 5367	Studies in Creative Writing
ENGL 5369	Topics in English
ENGL 5379	History of the English Language
ENGL 5385	Literary Theory and Criticism
ENGL 5388	History and Practice of Rhetoric
ENGL 5390	Studies in Composition
ENGL 5392	History, Theory and Practice of Writing Centers

 

Select from the following (21 hrs.):

Early/Early Modern Literature (at least 6 hours)

Later Literature (at least 6 hours)

Electives in ENGL (at least 9 hours)

Notes: 

ENGL 5300 should be taken as soon as possible upon entering the program

ENGL 5390 required for Teaching Assistants

Option II: Master of Arts in English Without Thesis (36 hours)

ENGL 5300	Bibliography and Methods of Research
ENGL 5397	Guided Individual Study

 

Two of the following (6 hrs.):

ENGL 5367	Studies in Creative Writing
ENGL 5379	History of the English Language
ENGL 5385	Literary Theory and Criticism
ENGL 5388	History and Practice of Rhetoric
ENGL 5390	Studies in Composition
ENGL 5392	History, Theory and Practice of Writing Centers

 

Select from the following (24 hrs.):

Early/Early Modern Literature (at least 6 hours)

Later Literature (at least 6 hours)

Electives in ENGL (at least 12 hours)

Notes:

ENGL 5300 should be taken as soon as possible upon entering program

ENGL 5390 required for Teaching Assistants

Graduation Requirements

1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate work attempted.
2. Successful completion of ENGL 5397 and an exit examination.
3. Twelve hours or equivalent, or demonstrated reading knowledge, of a foreign language.

Time Limitation: Degree requirements for graduate programs at UT Tyler must be completed within a six-year period.

Other Course Offerings

Although UT Tyler does not offer graduate degrees in Philosophy or Spanish, courses in these areas are offered as electives within the Department of Literature and Languages for students seeking graduate degrees in other disciplines. Both Spanish and Philosophy are available as a second or third field in the Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs in interdisciplinary studies.