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English

Kevin Swafford,
Graduate Program Coordinator

Danielle Glassmeyer, Kevin Swafford, Laurie Vickroy,
Graduate Advisors

The Master of Arts in English provides post-baccalaureate students with study in the theory and practice of English. It is intended to prepare students for professional advancement and for further study in either literature or writing. The literature track emphasizes the study of literary texts with related study of writing, theory, and methods. The literature track also requires an internship within the context of an undergraduate literature course, a portfolio of written work, and a written comprehensive exam over selected work taken in the program. The writing track emphasizes the study and practice of writing with related study of literature, theory, and methods. The writing track also requires an internship within the context of an undergraduate writing course, a portfolio of written work, and a written comprehensive exam over selected work taken in the program. It also affords the opportunity to practice modes of creative writing via intensive poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting workshops.

Because the master’s program is predicated upon the complementary relationship between theory and practice in the study of English, both tracks of the program require ENG 500 Theory and Practice of English, another course in theory, and the internship. Students in either program not only will become familiar with the aesthetic, formal, and theoretical underpinnings of their field of study, but also will learn how to address their audiences by means of professional discourse. In this way, the program enriches students’ professional lives and enhances their uses of the discipline in the classroom and the workplace.

Special Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of Graduate Education, the applicant shall present the following material with the application:

  1. An essay of under 1500 words stating what the applicant expects to achieve from the study of English (literature or writing) at the master’s level.
  2. A writing sample (professional, critical, creative) that the applicant deems to be representative of the quality of his or her work. The sample may be an undergraduate paper, professional work, or work prepared for personal use. (The sample will not be returned. Submit a copy.)
  3. Two letters of recommendation from references whose discipline is English literature or writing or from employers who have experience in the field of literature or writing. For those applicants who no longer have contact with either, the recommendations should be from those who can comment on the applicant’s ability to benefit from a graduate program in English.

Programs of Study

  • 15 hours of required courses:
    • ENG 500 Theory and Practice of English - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 550 Language Theory or ENG 560 Writing Theory or ENG 570 Contemporary Literary Criticism or ENG 580 Theories and Methods of Teaching Composition - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 630 American Periods - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 640 English Periods - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 690 Internship in Literature or ENG 691 Internship in Writing - 3 hrs.
  • 15 hours of elective courses from literature, writing, theory, or independent study from the following list:
    • ENG 503 Intensive Creative Non-Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 506 Writing in the Professions - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 507 Intensive Poetry Workshop - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 508 Intensive Fiction Workshop - 3 hrs.
    • ENG 509 Intensive Screenwriting 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 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.

30 hrs.

This is the official catalog for the 2024-2025 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.