English, M.A.

Location(s): Statesboro

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The graduate program in English at Georgia Southern University prepares its students for a variety of careers in fields such as secondary and higher education, editing, marketing, research, public service and public relations, and also for advanced doctoral work.

Students who are accepted into the Master of Arts program in English enjoy the engaging atmosphere of graduate study and work closely with faculty members. Graduate English faculty at Georgia Southern are published scholars with various specialties. Faculty members create a stimulating and innovative learning environment for graduate students. Interdisciplinary centers, like The Center for Irish Research and Teaching, also provide unique dimensions to the graduate English program.

The program fosters a genuine sense of community while providing students with opportunities for professional development unusual for our size. The department also houses two international journals-The Journal of Commonwealth and Postcolonial Studies and Exemplar: The Journal of South Asian Studies-and faculty from the department coordinate, organize, and direct a number of regional, national, and international conferences including the British Commonwealth and Postcolonial Studies Conference, the American Literature Association Symposium, and the national American Literature Association Conference. These programs enable students to become actively involved in editorial work, professional conferences, and advanced research.

Degree Requirements: 36 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

Regular

Completed requirements for the Bachelor’s degree at a college or university accredited by an appropriate institutional accreditor.
A 3.0 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average or higher on all undergraduate work.
Two letters of recommendation by persons familiar with the applicant’s academic experience.
A sample of the applicant’s scholarly writing, 8 pages or longer. Students intending to focus on creative writing should also include: 10-15 pages of poetry, single-spaced, with each poem starting on a new page OR up to 25 pages of prose, double-spaced, with each creative nonfiction or fiction piece starting on a new page.
Statement of Purpose (250-500) words. This statement should:

articulate the applicant’s research or creative interests and goals
indicate how the applicant’s experience has prepared them for successful graduate work in their area of interest
explain why and how Georgia Southern’s English MA program meets the applicant’s interests and goals

Provisional

Provisional admission is sometimes possible if a candidate has a 2.75 (4.0 scale) or higher cumulative grade point average on undergraduate college work. Students who do not meet provisional requirements may appeal to a departmental graduate committee for admission.

Program of Study

Required Courses: 21-22 Credit Hours

ENGL 6000 - Introduction to Graduate Studies (3 Credit Hours)
ENGL 7618 - Thesis Preparation (1 Credit Hour)
ENGL classes at the 6000 and 7000 level (17-18 Credit Hours*)

*Graduate assistants take ENGL 6701 (Fundamentals of Pedagogy, 1 credit hour) and ENGL 6702 (Pedagogy Colloquium, 1 credit hour) as part of these required hours.

Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Electives are ENGL courses at the 5000G, 6000, or 7000 level
Up to 6 graduate credit hours may be taken in other departments upon approval of the Director.

Thesis: 5-6 Credit Hours

In cooperation with a major professor and committee, the student will complete a thesis. Several options are available including an analytical thesis, a creative thesis, a critical edition, and a pedagogical project. The Graduate Director must approve the student’s choice of project, and the major professor, in consultation with the committee, must approve the project in its final form. See the Graduate Student Manual on the department website for additional information.

Total Credit Hours: 36

Advisement

Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit Graduate Academic Advisement .

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for more information about their program director.
Phone: 912-478-COGS (2647)
Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu