The MA in English Literature
About Our Program
The Master of Arts (MA) program in English Literature, offered both in-person and
online, equips graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary both to the
outstanding teacher and to the well-prepared candidate for further graduate study
while providing for personal and professional enrichment through advanced study of
literature. Master's candidates follow a course of advanced study that leads to a
comprehensive knowledge of English and American literature. Candidates are also given
training in the principles of literary criticism and in the use of bibliographic tools
so that they will have a general competence in criticism and research. In addition
to our 30-hour degree program, we offer a 12-hour graduate certificate in English
Literature and Composition Pedagogy that can be completed online and paired with the
MA degree. Our BA students can also pursue the master's degree in our dual/accelerated
bachelor's to master's degree program.
A Flexible Curriculum Taught by WSU Faculty
All our classes, both in-person and online, are taught by regular WSU faculty. Our curriculum regularly offers courses in British and American literature, major authors, the genres of drama, poetry, and fiction, image literacy in film and graphic novels, publishing, teaching practicums, digital humanities, professional, technical, and scientific writing, linguistics, and many more! We also provide enrolled students with expansive experiential learning opportunities to further their education through co-operative internships (including an internship with Dzanc Publishers), research assistantships, and mentorship programs.
Advance Your Career with the MA
Our graduate program has been a leader in developing innovative and interdisciplinary courses that target the changing career needs of our student body. Students craft individualized plans of study that meet their professional goals and are mentored by faculty associated with their disciplinary interests.The online degree is especially designed to aid the modern learner, providing professional development opportunities for high school teachers and other industry professionals in need of an adaptable schedule yet desirous of a quality learning experience. Students seeking a traditional classroom experience similarly will find our small class sizes to be intellectually stimulating and academically rewarding. Recent graduates have found success as media designers, high school teachers, PhD candidates, and community college faculty, among other career paths.
Invest in Your Future
Wichita State offers competitive tuition rates, including a single tuition rate for
resident and nonresident students in the online program, as well as tuition reduction
programs. Graduate scholarships and travel finding are available for both in-person
and distance learners; assistantships may be available for qualified in-person students.
The department also offers competitive fellowships, including the MA Fellowship and
the prestigious Gordon Parks Fellowship, as further finanical assistance to qualified
students.
"Pursuing a Master’s degree in English has been the best thing I have done for my career as a teacher. Because of the program and the English department at WSU, I’ve become a more conscientious teacher, reader, and writer. The professors have allowed me the freedom and flexibility to apply the content knowledge to my own craft of teaching, which has benefitted my students directly."
-Becky Timberlake, high school teacher, 2018