English, M.A.

Learning goals and student learning outcomes

The following goals and outcomes have been established for students pursuing the MA degree in English.

Students will complete a course in Introduction to Graduate Studies and be required to take at least one course from three or four discipline areas and five elective courses chosen from these areas.

• Become familiar with the breadth of study that defines the discipline of English Studies

Students will regularly read and analyze primary and secondary texts; conduct independent research; engage in analytic, didactic, and informed oral and written discussions with peers, faculty, and disciplinary experts; and write multiple extensively researched and analytically structured essays and/or generically appropriate creative texts.

• Develop the ability to evaluate current knowledge in the field and to deepen and extend their own and others' understanding of this knowledge

Students will develop a portfolio that is consistent with the professional direction they intend to take upon graduation.

• Devote sustained time to preparing for and understanding the professional options available to graduates with a master's degree in English.

Students will write a project paper of their own design, supervised by a faculty member, and approved by the supervisor and a project-writing instructor.

• Demonstrate the ability to complete one extensive, independently designed research or creative project.