English MA/MS

Students seeking a master’s degree in English may choose either a 30-semester hour program that includes a thesis (ENG 518 Thesis counting for 6 semester hours) or a 36-semester hour program that includes an independent research project (ENG 595 Research Lit/Techniques Non-Thesis counting for 3 semester hours). Both programs of study lead to an MA degree for students who demonstrate foreign language proficiency or to an MS degree for students without a foreign language.

All master’s students should consult with the Director of English Graduate Studies about which program would be most relevant to their future plans. Most coursework for both 30 and 36 semester hour programs is elective, but students will want to select courses that reflect their interests and future needs and that will prepare them to write a final project (ENG 595 Research Lit/Techniques or ENG 518 Thesis ). Final projects may be written on literature, composition, linguistics, children’s literature, or some combination thereof. With agreement of the student’s committee, the project also may focus on creative writing by the student.

  • Course required for all Graduate Teaching Assistants: ENG 675 Colloquium: Teaching College Reading and Writing can be used toward Master's degree in English.

Foreign Language Requirement for MA

A candidate for the Master of Arts degree must meet the language requirement:

  1. Successful completion of at least 12 semester hours (college/university level) in one foreign language.
  2. Successful completion of 6 semester hours (college/university level) and 2 years of high school credit in one foreign language.
  3. Successful completion of 3 semester hours (college/university level) and 3 years of high school credit in one foreign language.
  4. Successful completion of 12 semester hours of American Sign Language (ASL).
  5. Completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree from A&M-Commerce
  6. Department - Foreign Language Proficiency Exam (FLPE)
  7. Successful completion of the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages examination with a minimum score/rating of intermediate proficiency in one of the following areas:
  • Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or
  • Oral Proficiency Interview - Computer (OPIc) or
  • Written Proficiency Test (WPT)

Students who do not satisfy the foreign language requirement will receive an MS degree rather than an MA

Master of Arts/Master of Science in English - Option I Thesis

Thesis (6 semester hours)
ENG 518Thesis (6 semester hours required)3-6
Examination: Written and oral proposal of Thesis and final defense
Only 6 semester hours of credit for 518 will be given upon satisfactory completion of the requirement
Required Core Courses (9 semester hours)
9 semester hours in English to be selected in consultation with advisor.9
Methods of Research (3 semester hours)
ENG 599Bib & Methods of Research3
or ENG 776 Methods and Methodologies in Writing Studies
Electives (12 semester hours)
12 semester hours of electives12
Total Hours30

Master of Arts/Master of Science in English - Option II Non-Thesis

Research (3 semester hours)
ENG 595Research Lit/Techniques (3 semester hours required)3
Required Core Courses (18 semester hours)
18 semester hours in English to be selected in consultation with advisor18
Methods of Research (3 semester hours)
ENG 599Bib & Methods of Research (3 semester hours)3
or ENG 776 Methods and Methodologies in Writing Studies
Electives (12 semester hours)
12 semester hours of electives12
Total Hours36

Note:  Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is required of all students.

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