The Department of English offers the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and a minor at the graduate level. Both degree programs provide students with opportunities to integrate advanced training in traditional and emerging areas of English studies with teaching experience and pedagogical training.

The English M.A. degree, one of the oldest in the state, is a non-specialized program that offers advanced studies in American and British literature, popular culture and film, the English language, rhetoric and composition, and linguistics. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered.

The Ph.D. program allows for specialization in a number of areas, including American Literature; Anglophone Literature; British Literature; Children's and Young Adult Literature; Folklore; Linguistics; Literary Theory; Popular Culture and Film; and Rhetoric, Composition, and Pedagogy.

Admissions decisions for both programs are based on the department’s judgment of the applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study.

Master’s or doctoral applicants should have completed at least 30 semester hours of English at the undergraduate level. Ph.D. candidates without an M.A. will be expected to have completed at least 20 hours of graduate coursework in English.

The graduate programs in English have enjoyed a highly successful placement record for students. The department's M.A. degree also has a national reputation for preparing students for doctoral study at prestigious programs throughout the nation. Some potential professional careers include

academic/university official advertising/public relations executive
author
college professor
content manager
creative writer
director/support staff for non-profit organizations
editor
lawyer (after law school)
librarian
manager
playwright
professional/technical writer
public servant
publisher
researcher
reviewer
school administrator
software developer
teacher
writing coach