English (Literature, Composition, Creative Writing), M.A.

Program Description

The university offers the Master of Arts degree in English. Although there is no separate degree offered in Creative Writing, it is possible to satisfy the thesis option for the M.A. in English by work in fiction, poetry, or drama. The student seeking a degree must observe the general university requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements stated here. (Note: See the M.A. TESOL Program  listed in the Programs of Study chapter.)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.A. in English from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

1. analyze and interpret various kinds of texts in clear and cogent prose;
2. discuss several theoretical perspectives about literature or about applied linguistics (e.g., pedagogy, second language learning);
3. demonstrate facility with conducting research in traditional/nontraditional ways, including library research, the Internet, and data collection and analysis.
4. demonstrate the ability to learn independently.

Students graduating with an M.A. in English-T.E.S.O.L. option from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

1. communicate effectively in the profession both orally and in writing;
2. apply information literacy principles in their work as TESOL professionals;
3. draw on knowledge of language ability to shape their instructional choices;
4. use pedagogical content knowledge appropriate for a particular group of language learners;
5. integrate principles of diversity and inclusiveness in their classrooms;
6. select life-long learning strategies to stay current in the profession.

Students completing the M.A. degree in English will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of two areas including British/American literature, and literature or composition theory or creative writing; those in the TESOL option will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of adult ESL pedagogy and the linguistic underpinnings of this enterprise.

Admission

To apply for admission to the Master of Arts program in English, the student must fill out the proper forms obtained from and returned to the Admissions Office. (Contact the Graduate Coordinator for details on additional materials to be sent directly to the English Department.) The Admissions Office will then send the application to the English Department where it will be accepted or rejected. Also see admission requirements for the TESOL Option.

To be admitted to the M.A. program in English, the student must:

1. hold the B.A. degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in English, and
2. have an undergraduate GPA in English courses of at least 3.0. If the student cannot comply with these requirements, he or she may petition the department by letter for special consideration.

Upon admittance to the graduate program in English, the student should immediately arrange through the English Department Office to consult a graduate adviser on selecting courses and satisfying the department’s M.A. Foreign Language Requirement (see “Foreign Language Requirement” in the “Degree Requirements” section).

All students except those who are “Classified or Conditionally Classified Graduate” students in English must have the written permission of an English graduate adviser to enroll in a graduate course in English.

“Classified Graduate” Status and Advancement to Candidacy

The student is normally admitted to the program in English as a “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student. One condition to his or her being a “Classified Graduate” is that (s)he pass ENGL 6001  with a grade of “A” or “B”. Another is that the student must satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement. There may be other conditions to his or her “Classified Graduate” status if (s)he has been admitted to the program with deficiencies; the student should consult with a graduate adviser to determine whether this is the case. After all conditions have been met, the student will be granted “Classified Graduate” status as a graduate student in English. To Advance to Candidacy for the M.A. in English, the student must satisfy the department’s M.A. Foreign Language Requirement and complete 20 quarter-units of graduate coursework (including ENGL 6001 ) acceptable for the M.A. Also see admission requirements for the TESOL Option. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, 48 quarter-units of credit approved by a graduate adviser. At least 32 of these units must be in 6000-level courses (excluding ENGL 6900 , ENGL 6909 , and ENGL 6910 ) and must include ENGL 6001  (4 units); an additional FOUR 6000- level literature courses (one in American literature, one in British literature, two in literature before 1900) (16 units); and an additional THREE 6000-level courses in literature, creative writing, composition studies, or linguistics (12 units). The remaining 16 units may include ENGL 6910 , University Thesis (a maximum of 4 thesis units may be counted for the degree), ENGL 6900  or ENGL 4900 , Independent Study (a maximum of 4 independent study units may be counted for the degree), and 4000-level and/or 6000-level courses. ( ENGL 6909 - Departmental Thesis , may NOT be used for the regular M.A. degree in English. It is the thesis specifically required in the M.A. TESOL degree option.)

The university thesis, ENGL 6910 , is optional. Students may petition to take 1-4 units to write a thesis or equivalent work in fiction, poetry, drama, or non-fiction prose. (Note: Students who wish to submit a thesis for the degree must register for at least one unit of ENGL 6910 .) Students who elect to submit a thesis must comply with the thesis instructions of the Department of English as well as those in the University Thesis Writing Guide available online at: www.csueastbay.edu/thesiswritingguide. Thesis proposals must be approved by two regular members of the English faculty, one as ‘director’ and one as ‘second reader’, before a thesis can be undertaken. Faculty members are not obliged to accept thesis proposals or to direct theses.

For those who elect to submit an approved thesis, ONE exit examination in a historical period of British and/or American literature or in composition studies is required. For those who do not elect to submit an approved thesis, TWO exit examinations in the areas named above are required. Students should consult a graduate adviser for details.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a foreign language. Students should consult a graduate adviser for details. (American Sign Language may be used for the foreign language requirement, in which case, a year of college-level coursework is required.)