Master of Arts in English

The master’s degree in English is a 30 credit-hour program that strengthens your understanding of literature and writing as you pursue a career in education or other writing professions.

Taking Your Future Forward

Whether you’re a teacher looking to round out your literary knowledge or you’re pursuing other careers in writing, Bradley has you covered. By letting you tailor your degree with an emphasis in either literature or writing, you’ll walk away with a broadened and personalized perspective on writing theory and communication practices, a completed internship, and a portfolio under your arm.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Learn more about graduate admission standards and application requirements on our Requirements page.

Program Admission Requirements

• English essay of under 1500 words stating what you expect to achieve from the study of English (literature or writing) at the master’s level
• Writing sample (professional, critical, creative) that’s representative of the quality of your work. The sample may be an undergraduate paper, professional work, or work prepared for personal use.

Graduate Program Requirements

Literature Emphasis Requirement

Required Courses - 24 hrs.

• ENG 600: Theory and Practice of English - 3 hrs.
• ENG 550: Language Theory - 3 hrs.
  OR ENG 560: Writing Theory - 3 hrs.
  OR ENG 570: Contemporary Literary Criticism - 3 hrs.
• ENG 630: American Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 640: English Periods - 6 hrs.
• ENG 650: Selected Authors - 3 hrs.
• ENG 660: Genres - 3 hrs.
• ENG 690: Internship in Literature - 3 hrs.

Elective Courses (choose three) - 9 hrs.

• ENG 503: Intensive Creative Nonfiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 506: Writing in the Professions - 3 hrs.
• ENG 507: Intensive Poetry Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 509: Intensive Screenwriting Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 510: Intensive Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 550: Language Theory - 3 hrs.
• ENG 560: Writing Theory - 3 hrs.
• ENG 570: Contemporary Literary Criticism - 3 hrs.
• ENG 580: Theories and Methods of Teaching Composition - 3 hrs.
• ENG 630: American Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 640: English Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 650: Selected Authors - 3 hrs.
• ENG 660: Genres - 3 hrs.
• ENG 680: Advanced Topics in Writing - 3 hrs.
• ENG 695: Independent Study - 1-3 hrs.

Writing Emphasis Requirement

Required Courses - 30 hrs.

• ENG 600: Theory and Practice of English - 3 hrs.

Two of the following - 6 hrs.

• ENG 503: Intensive Creative Non-Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 507: Intensive Poetry Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 509: Intensive Screenwriting Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 510: Intensive Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.

One of the following - 3 hrs.

• ENG 550: Language Theory - 3 hrs
  OR ENG 560: Writing Theory - 3 hrs.
  OR ENG 570: Contemporary Literary Criticism - 3 hrs.

Two of the following - 6 hrs.

• ENG 630: American Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 640: English Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 650: Selected Authors - 3 hrs.
• ENG 660: Genres - 3 hrs.
• ENG 691: Internship in Writing - 3 hrs.

Elective Courses (choose three) - 9 hrs.

• ENG 503: Intensive Creative Nonfiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 506: Writing in the Professions - 3 hrs.
• ENG 507: Intensive Poetry Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 509: Intensive Screenwriting Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 510: Intensive Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
• ENG 550: Language Theory - 3 hrs.
• ENG 560: Writing Theory - 3 hrs.
• ENG 570: Contemporary Literary Criticism - 3 hrs.
• ENG 580: Theories and Methods of Teaching Composition - 3 hrs.
• ENG 630: American Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 640: English Periods - 3 hrs.
• ENG 650: Selected Authors - 3 hrs.
• ENG 660: Genres - 3 hrs.
• ENG 680: Advanced Topics in Writing - 3 hrs.
• ENG 695: Independent Study - 1-3 hrs.