Graduate Studies in English

Programs

Master of Arts

The M.A. Program in English usually requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit. At least 18 hours must be in 6000-level English courses. The department encourages students to take as many 6000-level courses as possible.

Course Requirements :

• One introductory course (ENGL 6280: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English, ENGL 6230: Premodern Sources of English Literature, or ENGL 6231: Literary Theory
  
  
• One course in each of the following fields:
  
  1. British Literature to 1660
  2. British Literature after 1660
  3. American Literature
  4. Rhetoric and Writing
  
  
• Fifteen hours (five courses) of electives
  
  Up to 12 hours of graduate credit may be transferred from other institutions.
  
  The Comprehensive Examination
  
  Upon completion of their studies, students take a four-hour written comprehensive examination based upon reading lists and course work in two of the four fields listed above.
  
  Proficiency in a Foreign Language
  
  Degree candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a foreign language through course work or through performance on a translation exam administered by the English Department.
  
  The Thesis (Optional)
  
  Students who select the thesis option develop a topic in close consultation with the director of a three-member committee of graduate faculty. Most students write theses in British literature, American literature, Rhetoric and Composition, or Linguistics, but creative theses in fiction or poetry are also possible. A one-hour defense of the thesis takes place when the committee approves a final draft. M.A. theses are typically 30-40 pages long and carry three hours of credit.
  

Master of Arts in English Teaching

The M.A.E.T. program requires completion of 36 hours of credit, distributed between English and Education courses. A flexible curriculum allows students to take 21-27 hours of English and 9-15 hours of Education.

Course Requirements :

English

Students develop specialized areas of concentration within the two following fields:

Literature. Students choose one of three areas: American Literature, British Literature to 1660, and British Literature after 1660.

Rhetoric and Writing. Students choose one of three areas: Contemporary Research, Theory and Pedagogy; Classical Rhetoric; and Professional Writing. Students building a concentration in writing may enroll in the summer writing institute (Greater New Orleans Writing Project); graduate courses in creative writing are available as well.

Education

Courses are usually chosen from among four fields: Methods for Secondary English, Reading, Curriculum and Instruction, and Language Arts. Within these fields, students may pursue concentrated study in such areas as teaching reading and writing, teaching in a multicultural setting, or teaching English as a second language.All M.A.E.T. students must take at least 15 hours of 6000-level courses (12 hours in English and 3 hours in Education). Up to 12 hours of graduate credit may be transferred.

The Comprehensive Examination

Each student takes a three-part written examination covering the two chosen English areas and Education.

The Thesis (Optional)

Students who elect the thesis option must take either English 6280 (Introduction to Graduate Studies in English) or Educational Foundations and Research 6700 (Educational Research). Most theses are in British or American Literature, or Education, but creative theses in fiction or poetry are possible. The thesis carries three hours of credit.