Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog. | View this program in the current bulletin.

Admission Requirements

  • Comply with the regular admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
  • have either:
    a) a bachelor's degree in English, or
    b) a minimum of 30 credit hours in undergraduate English courses, or equivalents, demonstrating broad familiarity with literature in English, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0.  Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

All Applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and fee.  
  2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
  3. A statement of purpose describing their interest in the program (and if applying for a teaching assistantship, their preparedness for teaching).
  4. A resume or curriculum vitae.
  5. A 10- to 20-page writing sample consisting of one or two critical essays on a topic, or topics, within the field of English, or a related field.
  6. Three letters of recommendation that speak to their academic abilities (and if applying for a teaching assistantship their potential as a teacher).

Those applying for a graduate assistantship must also include 

Application Due Dates

For full consideration, applicants should apply by February 1 for Fall semester admission (and teaching assistantship consideration) and by September 1 for Winter semester admission.

MA in English Curriculum

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the English department page.

Total Credits Required 32
Required Course  
EN 504 Introduction to Critical Theory 4
 
Concentration 16-28
Choose: 1) Literature, 2) Writing and Literacy Studies, or 3) Literature and the Environment (see below)  
   
General Electives 0-12
Choose from 400 and 500 level courses approved for graduate credit. Courses taken outside the English Department must be approved by the Program Director.  Students who are granted teaching assistantships are required to take EN 509 Teaching Colloquium (4 cr.) during their first semester. This course will count as a General Elective.  
 
Capstone Project 0-8*
Choose one course from the following; see descriptions below:  
EN 591 MA Practicum (1 - 6 cr.)  
EN 592 Portfolio Project (0 cr.)  
EN 594 Professional Essay (1 - 4 cr.)  
EN 599 Thesis (1 - 8 cr.)  
*Up to 4 credits in EN 591 or up to 8 credits in EN 599 may be counted toward capstone requirement. EN 592 is a zero-credit capstone; students who choose this option must take additional coursework. The capstone must relate to the chosen concentration.  
Literature Concentration 16-28
 
    Required Courses 8
    Choose 8 credits from the following:  
     EN 570 Seminar in American Literature (4)  
     EN 580 Seminar in World Literature (4)  
     EN 590 Seminar in British Literature (4)  
 
    Concentration Electives 8-20
    Choose 8-20 credits from the following:  
     EN 520 Topics in Literary and Critical Theory (1-4)  
     EN 530 Major Authors (4)  
     EN 540 Seminar in Film Studies (4)  
     EN 560 Literary Movements (4)  
     EN 570 Seminar in American Literature (4)  
     EN 580 Seminar in World Literature (4)  
     EN 590 Seminar in British Literature (4)  
EN 570, EN 580, and EN 590 can each be counted as a requirement or as an elective but not as both.  No more than 4 credits at the 400-level may count toward the concentration.  
 
Writing and Literacy Studies Concentration 16-24
 
    Required Course 4
     EN 510 Writing and Literacy Studies: Theory and Practice 4
 
    Literature Requirement 4
    Choose 4 credits from the following:  
     EN 520 Topics in Literary and Critical Theory (1-4)  
     EN 530 Major Authors (4)  
     EN 540 Seminar in Film Studies (4)  
     EN 560 Literary Movements (4)  
     EN 570 Seminar in American Literature (4)  
     EN 580 Seminar in World Literature (4)  
     EN 590 Seminar in British Literature (4)  
 
    Concentration Electives 8-16
     EN 502 Nonfiction Workshop (1-6)  
     EN 503 Research in Technical and Professional Writing (4)  
     EN 507 Teaching of College-Level Online Writing Courses (4)  
     EN 511 Teaching of College-Level Reading and Writing (4)  
     EN 512 Teaching of College-Level Literature (4)  
     EN 514 Seminar in the English Language (4)  
     EN 515 English Grammar and Usage (4)  
     EN 516 Second Language Acquisition (4)  
     EN 517 TESOL Methods and Materials (4)  
     EN 518 Rhetorical Theory and Practice (4)  
     EN 519 Research Methodologies (4)  
No more than 4 credits at the 400-level may count toward the concentration.
Literature and the Environment Concentration 16-20
 
    Required Course 4
     EN 506 Ecocriticism and Environmental Literature 4
 
    Literature Requirement 4
    Choose 4 credits from the following:  
     EN 520 Topics in Literary and Critical Theory (1-4)  
     EN 530 Major Authors (4)  
     EN 540 Seminar in Film Studies (4)  
     EN 560 Literary Movements (4)  
     EN 570 Seminar in American Literature (4)  
     EN 580 Seminar in World Literature (4)  
     EN 590 Seminar in British Literature (4)  
 
    Concentration Electives 8-12
     EN 508 Seminar in Nature Writing (4)  
     EN 525 Topics in Literature and the Environment (4)  
     NAS 440 Awesiinh: Wild Animal Relations (4)  
     PR 432 Environmental Campaigns (4)  
     SP 432 Environmental Communication (4)  
At least 4 credits of concentration electives must be taken at the 500 level.  
 

Graduation Requirements

Graduates must meet the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

  • Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree 
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Successfully complete capstone practicum, project, professional essay, or thesis

EN 591 Practicum (1-6 cr.) - up to 4 credits may be applied to a capstone

Sometimes an appropriate form for a student’s final project is a practicum or practical experience. Students who complete a practicum as their capstone project must work with a faculty supervisor or a site supervisor on a defined project approved by the thesis selection committee that meets objectives suitable to the student’s ability and goals. The prospectus for a practicum should be three to five pages long and include objectives, nature of activities, a description of the site and the participants. The project will include 50 practical hours for each hour of academic credit, a concluding report of 35-40 pages, which must include the original prospectus, the data and materials generated, samples of writing produced, as well as conclusions on the effectiveness of the project.

 

EN 592 Portfolio Project (0 cr.)

A long thesis, research project or internship may not be the best capstone alternative for particular students, such as current teachers, technical writers or administrators. Such students might benefit more from additional course work and a portfolio development project. EN 592 Portfolio Project requires at least two exemplary works of scholarly or professional writing within the student's chosen concentration. The portfolio should be a minimum of 30 pages. Papers may be new works or revisions of previously written papers. 

 

EN 594 Professional Essay (1-4 cr.)

The student will write an essay suitable for publication under the guidance of a faculty director. The essay topic and scope must be approved by the capstone director and the English Graduate Studies Committee. Appropriate capstone forms must be approved at least one semester prior to final submission. The student should consult with the department and the College of Graduate Studies for specific requirements.

 

EN 599A Thesis (1-8 cr.) - up to 8 credits may be applied to a capstone

This option requires a thesis chair and a reader. A 500-word proposal is submitted to the thesis selection committee. The thesis will focus on the student’s area of concentration.


Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.