Students may elect to write a scholarly thesis as a capstone project or take additional coursework and complete a non-thesis project.

Depending on emphasis, the M.A. in English prepares students to go on to Ph.D. programs in literature, rhetoric and composition, or creative writing (or M.F.A. programs in creative writing); students may also prepare to work in business and industry as professional writers or writing consultants.

The department awards up to ten Graduate Teaching Assistantships to our top applicants each year. Graduate Teaching Assistants will work for their first year in the University Writing Center and will teach introductory writing courses in their second year.