English Major (M.A.)
Programs of Study
The Department of English offers graduate courses in British literature, American literature, and critical theory, as well as writing, leading to a Master of Arts. A master’s degree in English provides the basis for a wide range of career and professional choices. At Seton Hall, the M.A. in English serves as preparation for a doctoral degree program in literature, the Master of Fine Arts in Writing, and professional degrees in law or business, as well as careers in creative writing, secondary education, publishing, and professional writing. The diversity of student goals and interests is accommodated through a choice of four programs of study, as outlined below. Students should consult the Director of Graduate Studies for details of these programs and for guidance in selecting the programs and courses best suited to their needs.
Undergraduate English majors at Seton Hall who qualify for the dual degree B.A./M.A. program in English can complete the M.A. in one year beyond their B.A. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA in the major, apply in the second semester of their junior year, and may start taking graduate classes in their senior year. See the Undergraduate Catalogue for full description and admission requirements.
Modality
In addition to our in -person classes, the program is also offered in a synchronous online format. Students may opt to take courses from the comfort of their homes or offices, without commutes or the need for childcare, but with all the live and active discussion of a traditional classroom.
General Admission
In addition to the general University requirements for admission to graduate studies, the Department of English requires at least 18 undergraduate credits in English and American literature and/or writing. The GRE General Test is no longer required for admission.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general University and College requirements, the Department of English requires a reading knowledge of French, German, Italian or Spanish as attested by the Department of Modern Languages. Subject to approval, Latin, Greek or another language may be substituted. Reading knowledge will be demonstrated through a foreign language translation examination. Students who cannot pass the language exam may take the Rapid Reading and Translation course, offered in the Spring, in its place. This course is offered in French or Spanish every other year.
A final written comprehensive examination is required of all M.A. candidates.
Concentrations
All students pursuing the Masters of Arts in English will select a concentration depending on their interests and goals. The Literature concentration is intended for students who plan to go on to a doctoral program or whose primary interest is in continuing literary study. The Writing concentration is designed for students who plan to teach English at the secondary level, are already teaching, or plan to pursue a career involving advanced writing skills. The Creative Writing concentration is designed for students who are interested in becoming writers, teaching creative writing, or hoping to pursue an M.F.A. or a Ph.D. in creative writing. The Professional Writing concentration trains students for careers in public relations, publishing, technical communication, and other writing-centered fields. The General concentration is designed for students primarily pursuing the degree for enrichment.
New program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses * | ||
| ENGL 6010 | Intro-Literary Research | 3 |
| ENGL 7010 | Thesis | 3 |
| Concentrations | ||
| Select one of the following tracks | 24 | |
| Literature | ||
| Writing | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| General | ||
| Professional Writing | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
These courses are not required for the Professional Writing Track.
Note: In addition to the 30 credits required for the M.A. degree, all students holding Teaching Assistantships must enroll in ENGL 6513 Composition for Teachers Composition for Teachers during their appointment.
Literature Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one writing class: | 3 | |
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Modern Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Scientific and Tech Writing | ||
| Composition Theory and Pract | ||
| Linguistic History of English | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Adv Creative Writing Workshop | ||
| Sem-Special Topics-Internship | ||
| Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
| Select seven Literature classes: | 21 | |
| Shakespeare I | ||
| Shakespeare II | ||
| Intro to Digital Humanities | ||
| Eighteenth Century Literature | ||
| Major Brit Writers 1900-1945 | ||
| Maj Brit Writers from 1945 | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| American Romanticism | ||
| Maj Amer writers From 1945 | ||
| American Poetry | ||
| English Novel Begin to 19 Cent | ||
| Modern British Drama | ||
| Approaches to British Lit | ||
| Approaches to American Lit | ||
| Studies in Criticism | ||
| Studies in Medieval Lit | ||
| Studies in Long 18th Century | ||
| Studies in Victorian Lit | ||
| Studies in American Literature | ||
| Seminar-Special Topics | ||
| Seminar-Special Topics | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Writing Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four writing classes: | 12 | |
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Modern Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Scientific and Tech Writing | ||
| Composition Theory and Pract | ||
| Linguistic History of English | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Adv Creative Writing Workshop | ||
| Sem-Special Topics-Internship | ||
| Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
| Select four electives of any concentration: | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Creative Writing Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three literature classes | 9 | |
| Shakespeare I | ||
| Shakespeare II | ||
| Intro to Digital Humanities | ||
| Eighteenth Century Literature | ||
| Major Brit Writers 1900-1945 | ||
| Maj Brit Writers from 1945 | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| American Romanticism | ||
| Maj Amer writers From 1945 | ||
| American Poetry | ||
| English Novel Begin to 19 Cent | ||
| Modern British Drama | ||
| Approaches to British Lit | ||
| Approaches to American Lit | ||
| Studies in Criticism | ||
| Studies in Medieval Lit | ||
| Studies in Long 18th Century | ||
| Studies in Victorian Lit | ||
| Studies in American Literature | ||
| Seminar-Special Topics | ||
| Seminar-Special Topics | ||
| Select five creative writing classes: | 15 | |
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Modern Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Sem-Special Topics-Internship | ||
| Adv Creative Writing Workshop | ||
| Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
General Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four writing classes: | 12 | |
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Modern Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Scientific and Tech Writing | ||
| Composition Theory and Pract | ||
| Linguistic History of English | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Adv Creative Writing Workshop | ||
| Sem-Special Topics-Internship | ||
| Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
| Select four electives of any concentration: | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Professional Writing Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6XXX Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | 3 | |
| Select one American Literature Course: | 3 | |
| Select one British Literature Class: | 3 | |
| ENGL 6XXX Professional Internship | 3 | |
| Select six Professional Writing Classes | 18 | |
| Intro to Digital Humanities | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Modern Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Scientific and Tech Writing | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
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