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 the 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 for professional degrees in law or business, as well as for 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.
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.
Hub and Spoke Program
All students pursuing the Master of Arts in English will complete a 12-credit “Hub” of core requirements. Students can then choose to pursue one of four “Spokes,” depending upon their interests and goals. The Literature Spoke is intended for students who plan to go on to a doctoral program or whose primary interest is in continuing literary study. The Writing Spoke 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 Spoke 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 General Spoke is designed for students primarily pursuing the degree for enrichment.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hub | ||
| ENGL 6010 | Intro-Literary Research | 3 |
| 6000-level American Literature elective | 3 | |
| 6000-level British Literature elective | 3 | |
| ENGL 7011 | Studies in Criticism | 3 |
| Spokes | ||
| Select one of the following Spokes: | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
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 Spoke
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| Select three Literature electives | 9 | |
| Select one 7000-level Seminar | 3 | |
| ENGL 7010 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Writing Spoke
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| 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 | ||
| Select two Literature electives | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
One 7000-level Seminar | ||
| Thesis (with departmental approval) | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Creative Writing Spoke
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits of electives | 12 | |
| Writing Workshops | ||
| Select 9 credits of Writing Workshops: * | 9 | |
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Non-Fiction Workshop | ||
| Select one 6000- or 7000-level Literature elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Requirements | ||
| ENGL 7410 | Adv Creative Writing Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 7010 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Students may take any of the workshops twice.
Note: Students may take Travel Writing in Italy (which runs as the graduate course Special Topics in Literary Studies) in place of one of the workshops.
General Spoke
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any combination of Literature and Writing courses * | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- *
Excluding ENGL 7010 Thesis.
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