English, MA
Advocacy, Communication, Community, Criticism, Culture, Education, Ethnic Studies, Gender, Multilingual, Research, literacy, literature, media, rhetoric, writing
Study with an English department that is a national leader in its innovative approach to the discipline. Guided by world-class faculty, you'll gain analytical and communication skills that are valued in academic, industry and nonprofit sectors.
The Master of Arts program in English offers multiple pathways of learning and a choice of modalities (in-person and online) so that you can find the best path through the program. You have opportunities for internships and professional development.
Online: English studies
In the English studies track, you learn how to interpret complex cultural, historical, literary and language-related materials. The online program includes a capstone course that enables you to review your experience and articulate the skills and knowledge you've gained to current or future employers. This track doesn't include a thesis option. Instead, in the capstone course, you create projects that can be used for professional and career growth.
Tempe campus
At the Tempe campus, you select one of two tracks: literature; or writing, rhetorics and literacies. The in-person program culminates in the choice between a thesis and an applied project.
- Literature --- You develop skills in literary and cultural analysis, explore social and historical contexts, address theoretical issues and pursue interdisciplinary modes of inquiry.
- Writing, rhetorics and literacies --- You engage with various approaches to the history, theory and practices of rhetoric and the pedagogies of writing and composition.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
This video provides an overview of the English, MA degree program at ASU.
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours and a thesis - Literature Track, or
30 credit hours and a thesis - Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593) - Literature Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593) - Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track, or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (ENG 597) - English Studies Track
Required Core (3 credit hours) Track Coursework (12 or 18 credit hours) Literature Track (18 credit hours) Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Track (12 credit hours) Electives (3-12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students must choose one of the following tracks: English studies; literature; or writing, rhetorics and literacies. Students complete 12 or 18 credit hours of track coursework and three to 12 credit hours of electives, depending on their track and culminating experience. The capstone culminating experience option is available to students in the English studies track only. Students in this track must take the capstone. Students in one of the other tracks must select an applied project or thesis for the culminating experience.
ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
English Studies Track (18 credit hours)
one course in linguistics (3)
one course in literature (3)
one course in writing, rhetorics and literacies (3)
one course in English education (3)
two additional courses (6)
ENG 502 Contemporary Critical Theories (3)
one course in early literatures and cultures (3)
one course in modern and contemporary literatures and cultures (3)
one course in global, ethnic, and transnational literatures and cultures (3)
one course in methods and approaches (3)
one course in language and linguistics (3)
one course in composition theory (3)
one course in rhetoric theory (3)
two 600-level courses (6)
ENG 593 Applied Project (3) or
ENG 597 Graduate Capstone Seminar (3) or
ENG 599 Thesis (6)
Students should see the academic unit for the approved lists of track coursework.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- resume or curriculum vitae
- two letters of recommendation
- academic writing sample relevant to the field
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applications are not processed without valid proof of English proficiency. Official scores must be sent to ASU for the application to be processed.
The two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose should detail the applicant's background, reasons for wanting to pursue graduate work in the specified track, and plans for the future.
Two academic letters of recommendation are required, with a third being optional. Applicants to the English studies track can submit academic or professional letters of recommendation.
An academic writing sample is required for applicants to the literature; and writing, rhetorics and literacies tracks. Applicants to the English studies track are not required to submit a writing sample (the statement of purpose serves as the writing sample).
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/22 | Final |
| Session A/C | Online | 07/23 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 09/16 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/14 | Final |
| Session A/C | Online | 12/15 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 02/16 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 04/20 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 06/03 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Analyze (break into constituent parts) a relevant creative, literary, rhetorical or linguistic artifact or other cultural phenomenon, using concepts from a discipline in English studies, according to standards of rigor in the field.
- Compose a compelling case or argument relevant to English studies that meets or exceeds standards of rigor in the field.
- Use theories, concepts and methods from a discipline in English studies to sustain an evidence-based line of reasoning that makes a grounded, situated and qualified contribution according to standards of rigor in the field.
Professionals with expertise in all areas of English studies are able to articulate and translate complex ideas for a general audience. Graduates are prepared for career opportunities in public humanities, business, digital media, teaching, museums, nonprofits and arts organizations. In addition, their advanced skills in writing, oral presentation and critical thinking are valuable assets for any career.
Career examples include:
- communications specialist
- copywriter
- editor or author
- educator
- higher education administration
- human resources specialist
- market research analyst
- publishing
- social media manager
- technical writer
- web content writer or specialist
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
enggrad@asu.edu
480-965-3168
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
