English (M.A.)

Indiana University
Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department of English and Linguistics
College of Arts and Sciences
Hardin Aasand, Chair
M. L. Stapleton, Graduate Program Director
260-481-6841 Fax: 260-481-6985
www.ipfw.edu/engl ~ Liberal Arts Building 145

To earn this degree, you must complete at least 36 credits in courses administered by the department (courses are generally 3 credits each). You must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 or better in courses taken to fulfill degree requirements; no course with a grade below B will count toward the degree.

Your program must include three courses in professional scholarship, one course in critical theory, and two 700-level seminars offered by the Department of English. Courses in Liberal Studies will not fulfill this requirement. It must include at least four courses in one of five available concentrations: (1) British literature before 1700; (2) British literature after 1700; (3) American literature; (4) English language and linguistics, and (5) Writing Studies.

You may, with your advisor’s approval, apply courses that satisfy core requirements to your concentration requirements. If you do, you must still complete enough approved elective courses to meet the required minimum of 36 credits.

You must complete all M. A. degree requirements within five years of your admission to the program.

Teaching Assistantships

Students may qualify for appointment as a teaching aide. An interview with the Director of Writing and a course in composition theory and practice are required. Such appointments (with the title graduate aide) carry a stipend as well as partial remission of fees. Aides typically teach one or two sections of freshman or developmental composition.

Master of Arts in English Requirements

At least 6 hours of the concentration or Electives must be 700 – level seminars offered by the Department of English. Courses in Liberal Studies will not fulfill this requirement.
It is recommended that a student who plans to pursue a doctorate in literary study demonstrate reading proficiency in an approved foreign language under the auspices of the Department of International Language and Culture Studies by passing:
- A 300-level literature course in a foreign language with a grade of A or B, or
- A written examination that demonstrates a student’s proficiency in reading and translating a foreign language.
It is also recommended that a student who plans to pursue a doctorate in literary study elect to write a Master’s Thesis (3–6 Credit Hours).

Core (12 credits)

Concentration (12 credits)

Four courses from one of the following:

(1) British literature before 1700
(2) British literature after 1700
(3) American literature
(4) Language and Linguistics
(5) Writing Studies

Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Enough courses applicable to the degree to bring the program to at least of at least 36 credit hours.