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Planning your Master's Degree

Southern student speaking at 2019 Literature and Social Justice Graduate Symposium

Spring 2025 English Master's Courses

Getting Started on the Master’s Degree

English MA Curriculum

Coursework and Making Progress

Beyond the Graduate Classroom

Getting Started on the Master’s Degree

Upon admission to the English graduate program, you’ll meet with the Graduate Coordinator or MFA director to design a personalized planned program of study, based on your academic and career goals. You have the option to attend full-time (9 credits per semester) or part-time (3-6 credits per semester).

Full-time students typically finish the English Master’s degree in 15 months to 2 years; part-time students take anywhere from 2 ½ to 4 years. 

For MA students, the first course you’ll register for is ENG 517 Research Methods, which will give you a grounding in how to write, do research, and read literary criticism at the graduate level. You can monitor the rest of your own progress throughout your coursework using Degree Evaluation in Banner. 

English MA Curriculum

The following are the degree requirements for the English MA (30 credits). See the separate degree requirements for the MFA in Creative Writing (48 credits) here. 

English MA (30 credits)

Required Courses 
• ENG 517 Research Methods - 3 credits

Area Requirements
• Contemporary Critical and Theoretical Approaches (ENG 508, 509, or  521) – 3 credits
• Early English and Global Literatures (Pre-1700) – 3 credits
• One British Literature course (any period) – 3 credits
• One American Literature course (any period) – 3 credits

Electives
• Five free electives - 15 credits* 

*Optional: Specialization in African American Literature

Capstone
• Master’s Comprehensive Exam (offered every fall and spring), or
• Masters Thesis (students must apply separately to pursue the thesis option; comprises 6 credits of electives)

 

Specialization in African American Literature*
To complete the optional specialization in African-American Literature, students take a minimum of three free electives (9 credits) in African-American literary studies: e.g., Contemporary African-American Literature, Harlem Renaissance, Wright, Ellison, and Baldwin, or approved ENG 586 special-topic seminar. 

 

Coursework and Making Progress 

Each fall, spring, and summer, we offer 6-8 graduate courses in English research and theory, British, American, or global literature, poetry and fiction writing, and advanced special topics, from new courses on Trans-Atlantic Speculative Fiction to seminars on Thomas Pynchon or poetic theory.

Here is a list of recent English grad literary and theory classes (excluding poetry and fiction workshops): 

Fall 2024 English Master’s Courses
Spring 2024 English Master’s Courses
Fall 2023 English Master's Courses
Spring 2023 English Master's Courses
Fall 2022 English Master's Courses
Spring 2022 English Master's Courses
Fall 2021 English Master's Courses
Spring 2021 English Master's Courses
Fall 2020 English Master's Courses
Spring 2020 English Master's Courses

This array of courses is designed to help you complete the degree at your own pace, and to deepen your work in English studies, developing your own voice as a researcher and thinker in the process. With the exception of summer courses, all classes meet evenings at 5:00 PM or 7:35 PM in the English seminar rooms in Engleman Hall.  

What’s the best way to make progress toward the degree during your coursework?

  • Stay in regular touch with the English Graduate Coordinator each semester about your coursework, including any changes to your full- or part-time status
  • Develop relationships with English faculty mentors and explore other avenues for advancing your graduate coursework, like teaching internships, research fellowships, independent studies, etc. 
  • Plan ahead early for the graduate capstone, whether you plan to complete the Master’s Exam or Thesis 
  • Register early for English graduate courses in Banner as soon as they become available for the spring and fall
  • Check the English Graduate Handbook for program requirements, like grade standards or what happens when you need to take a leave of absence

Beyond the Graduate Classroom 

Photo of English MA, MS, and MFA students at 2019 Graduate Commencement

Beyond your evening classes, there are many ways to get involved in the English Graduate program, whether you are pursuing your degree part-time on top of your career or want to be actively involved in the weekly and daily life of the English Department.