English, M.A. Program
Program Description
The university offers the Master of Arts degree in English which provides students with a strong generalist preparation to work in literary studies, composition studies, or with adult English learners. 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. Students seeking a degree must observe the general university requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements stated here..
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an M.A. in English from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
- analyze and interpret various kinds of diverse texts in clear and cogent prose;
- discuss diverse theoretical perspectives about literature, pedagogy, or linguistics;
- demonstrate facility with conducting research in traditional/nontraditional ways, including print and electronic library research and data analysis;
- demonstrate the ability to learn collaboratively and independently.
- Demonstrate expertise within their chosen concentration.
Admission for the M.A. in English (Literature, Composition, Creative Writing)
To apply for admission to the Master of Arts program in English, students must complete the online university application at CALSTATE Apply. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for details on additional materials to be sent directly to the English Department. The Office of Graduate Admissions will then send the application to the English Department where it will be accepted or rejected.
To be admitted to the M.A. program in English, applicants must:
- hold the B.A. degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in English, and
- have an undergraduate GPA in English courses of at least 3.0.
- Submit a writing sample (academic or professional, at least 500 words)
If applicants cannot comply with these requirements, they may petition the department by letter for special consideration.
Upon admittance to the graduate program in English, students should immediately arrange through the English Department Office to consult a graduate adviser on selecting courses.
“Classified Graduate” Status and Advancement to Candidacy
Students are normally admitted to the program in English as a “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student. One condition to their being a “Classified Graduate” is that they pass ENGL 600 with a grade of “A” or “B”. There may be other conditions to the “Classified Graduate” status if they have been admitted to the program with deficiencies; students should consult with a graduate adviser to determine whether this is the case. After all conditions have been met, students will be granted “Classified Graduate” status as a graduate student in English. To Advance to Candidacy for the M.A. in English, students must complete 20 semester-units of graduate coursework (including ENGL 600) acceptable for the M.A.
Applying for Graduation
Students must apply formally to graduate with a master’s degree, by submitting a “Candidate for Degree” application by the filing deadlines (March 1 for Summer/Fall graduation or October 1 for Spring graduation).
English Degree Requirements (32 units)
The ENGL MA degree requires 32 units of coursework. Students must complete, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, the course work (16 units) and capstone experience (4 units) outlined below and one concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (12 units) or Literature and Pedagogy (12 units).
Required Courses
The following four (4) courses for 16 units are required:
Capstone Requirement
Students must complete either the Thesis experience or Comprehensive Exams experience described below.
University Thesis Experience
Students undertaking the Thesis Experience must complete the following:
- Four (4) units of ENGL 691 (University Thesis) or ENGL 699 (Department Thesis) to write a critical, pedagogical, or creative thesis.
- One (1) exit examination in one of the following areas:
- an historical period of American or British literature
- lnguistics and pedagogy
- composition studies
Please note: 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.
Students who submit a university 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.
Comprehensive Exams Experience
Students undertaking the comprehensive exams experience must complete the following:
- One (1) 4-unit course in ENGL numbered 601 or higher
- Two (2) exit examinations in the following areas:
- an historical period of British or American literature
- linguistics and pedagogy
- composition studies
Other Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the University requirements for graduation as described throughout this catalog. These include the 70% unit residence requirement; the five-year rule on currency of subject matter; the minimum number of units in 600-level courses; the “C” minimum grade for each graduate course; and the 3.00 cumulative grade point average.
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