Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, distributed as follows, with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better. The program must be completed within six consecutive years.

A. English Studies (3 credits)

• ENG 500 - English Studies: Issues and Methods (3)

B. Theory (3 credits)

A course in literary or composition/rhetorical theory from:

• ENG 563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice (4)
• ENG 567 - Survey of Modern Composition Theory (3)
• ENG 568 - Basic Writing: Theory and Practice (3)
• ENG 570 - Modern Literary Theory (3)
• ENG 571 - History of Literary Criticism (3)
• ENG 572 - Narrative Theory (3)

C. Focus Electives (9 credits)

One course from each of the following areas:

Literature

• ENG 522 - Topics in British Literature to 1800 (3)
• ENG 525 - Topics in British Literature since 1800 (3)
• ENG 526 - Topics in Post-Colonial Literature (3)
• ENG 527 - Topics in Irish and Scottish Literature (3)
• ENG 531 - The American Novel I (3)
• ENG 532 - The American Novel II (3)
• ENG 533 - American Poetry (3)
• ENG 534 - American Drama (3)
• ENG 537 - Topics in American Literature to 1900 (3)
• ENG 538 - Topics in American Literature since 1900 (3)
• ENG 539 - Themes in Multicultural American Literatures (3)
• ENG 555 - Studies in Genre (3)
• ENG 587 - Special Topics in Literature (3)

Linguistics

• ENG 507 - Discourse Analysis (3)
• ENG 508 - Language and Human Nature (3)
• ENG 509 - American English (3)
• ENG 549 - History of the English Language (3)
• ENG 588 - Special Topics in Linguistics (3)
• LIN 520 - Linguistics for Teachers (3)
• LIN 521 - First Language Acquisition (3)

Writing

• ENG 560 - Topics in Writing and Rhetoric (3)
• ENG 561 - Writing and Publishing (3)
• ENG 562 - Creative Writing Workshop (3)
• ENG 563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice (4)*
• ENG 566 - Teaching College Composition (3)
• ENG 567 - Survey of Modern Composition Theory (3)*
• ENG 568 - Basic Writing: Theory and Practice (3)*

*May not also be counted toward theory requirement

D. Additional Electives (15 credits)

Additional courses in English to bring total credit hours to 30

E. Portfolio

Optional Concentration

Students may specialize in one of two concentrations by completing twelve (12) credits as follows. Only one concentration may be completed. The following courses do not count toward the concentration:

• ENG 590 - Directed Study (1-3)
• ENG 592 - Thesis I (3)
• ENG 593 - Thesis II (3)

Writing and Rhetoric Concentration

A course in rhetorical theory:

• ENG 563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice (4)
• ENG 567 - Survey of Modern Composition Theory (3)
• ENG 568 - Basic Writing: Theory and Practice (3)

or

• A theory course approved by the program director
• Three (3) courses in composition, rhetoric, or creative writing

Literature Concentration

A course in literary theory:

• ENG 570 - Modern Literary Theory (3)
• ENG 571 - History of Literary Criticism (3)
• ENG 572 - Narrative Theory (3)

or

• A theory course approved by the program director
• Three (3) courses in literature

Cognate Areas

Where appropriate, and after consultation with an advisor, students may fulfill program requirements with courses from cognate graduate areas such as Education, Social Sciences, and Liberal Studies.

Transfer of Credit

Up to six (6) semester credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Requests for transferring additional coursework may be made by submitting a petition to the program director.

Additional information on the Master of Arts in English Language and Literature including course descriptions can be found in the catalog.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with major or significant coursework in English or related fields from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

To be considered for admission, submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library:

• Application for Graduate Admission
• $55 application fee (non-refundable)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Statement of Purpose: In 500-800 words, please discuss the intellectual and professional experiences that you bring to the program and your reasons for pursuing an MA in English at the University of Michigan-Flint. The Admissions Committee will be reviewing the content of your statement, as well as using it to assess your writing ability. Focused statements indicating clear goals and familiarity with our program will be given preference.
• Three letters of recommendation: Letters should be from people who are familiar with your work in academic or professional contexts, rather than personal ones, and who can comment on your critical thinking skills, your ability to undertake independent projects, and your capacity for collaborating with colleagues.
• International students must submit additional documentation. Visit the International Students page for details.

Admission decisions are made by the program director in consultation with the program faculty following the receipt of all application materials.

Application Deadlines

The program has rolling admissions and reviews completed applications each month.

Application deadlines are as follows:     

• Fall (early deadline*) – May 1
• Fall (final deadline) – August 1
• Winter – November 15
• Spring – March 15
• Summer – May 15

*You must apply for admission by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

International students are required to apply earlier than the deadlines posted here. The final deadlines for international students are May 1 for the fall semester, September 1 for the winter semester, and January 1 for the spring term.