English - MS

The MS in English with the specialization in Literature, Culture, and Composition (LCC) study subjects as varied as Nordic mythology, the influence of reggae in contemporary world literature, and agency in the teaching of composition. Students with a strong background and interest in critical thinking, reading, and writing are encouraged to apply.  

In this specialization, students are required to take at least one course in each area—literature, culture, and composition—and concentrate in one area for their thesis, which they develop in collaboration with a faculty mentor and a thesis committee. In addition to traditional projects, students have written theses on the intersection of Harry Potter and social media, Star Wars as it moves from the screen to the page, and how race factors into writing instruction. The degree caters especially to those who plan to continue their studies by seeking a Ph.D. in English education, rhetoric and composition, literature, or cultural studies, as well as to future two-year college instructors and secondary educators.  

Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits (including thesis credits) for the Master of Arts or the Master of Science degree.  

Students’ Program of Study should include at least one in-person course in each area: one Literature class (3 credits), one Culture class (3 credits), and one Composition class (3 credits). Courses may not be double-counted. For instance, American Literature and Culture can count for the “Literature” category requirement but not also for the “Culture” category requirement, even though the course is classified in both categories. The Practicum in Teaching English (a pedagogy class for new Graduate Instructors) does not count for the “Composition” category requirement.  

Students must complete a thesis project. Most students complete a Plan B thesis project, a scholarly exploration of an applicable topic that may come in a variety of forms, such as a journal-length essay, a review of literature, a personal essay, or a combination of several forms (e.g., multimedia) that are the equivalent of 30–50 pages of writing. However, a predominantly creative work such as a collection of poems or a creative nonfiction essay, while acceptable in the Creative Writing specialization, would not be appropriate for the Plan B thesis in the LCC specialization.   

Depending on their project, a student’s Supervisory Committee chair may encourage them to do a Plan A project, a critical study of 50–100 pages in length that involves 3 additional credits of Thesis and one fewer seminar. 

Students should take coursework that supports the topic of their thesis. For example, if they want to write a thesis on science fiction literature, they should take as many literature courses as possible.  

The MA/MS in English with a Specialization in Creative Writing allows students to do advanced work in creative writing, concentrating on poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction. Students with a strong background in creative writing who desire to continue on that path are encouraged to apply. In this specialization, students take creative-writing workshops in all three of the genres before concentrating on one genre for their thesis on which they work closely with a faculty member and their thesis committee. Hybrid theses that cross genre boundaries are also welcome. The aim of this specialization is to allow students additional time after their undergraduate work to hone their craft, continue their apprenticeship as a writer, complete a substantial body of work, and pursue publication. The degree caters especially to those who plan to continue their studies in creative writing by seeking a PhD or MFA in creative writing, as well as to future two-year college instructors and secondary educators. For more details, refer to the Creative Writing Specialization.

Students should take graduate creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction (one workshop per semester) as well as other coursework that supports their theses. For example, if students want to write a poetry thesis, they will benefit from enrolling in as many poetry-oriented literature courses as possible.