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The MA in English is designed to provide a broadly inclusive course of advanced study in English and American literature together with preparatory training and scholarly background for the PhD. Applicants must have completed the equivalent of the undergraduate major in English (i.e. 30 units of upper-division literature courses) with a grade-point average of at least 3.50 in literature courses. Candidates for the MA must take a total of 30 units of graduate coursework (of which 24, or 8 classes, must be in regularly scheduled literature courses unless otherwise approved by the Program Director), demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language, and pass a final examination based on reading lists approved by the faculty.
The English Department maintains four degree-granting graduate programs:
Each of these programs is separately administered and has a separate application procedure. In general (some programs may make exceptions or have a different deadline) applications are due in early January (for matriculation the following August). Admissions are highly selective. The department therefore urges prospective applicants to confer, by early autumn at the latest, with the Director of the individual program in which they are interested.
To access the landing page for an individual program, click on its name below. On these pages you will find contact information for each program, as well as information about graduate study in the department.
General MA
The Department also offers a General MA, a flexible program that includes curricula from Literature, RCTE, and EAL.
Additional Resources
English Graduate Union (EGU), represents all English graduate students
Financial Opportunities: please email program assistant for information regarding financial support available to graduate students in the Department of English.
Lynda Zwinger
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of English
1. Apply through the Graduate College online portal. Students should apply to the MA in ENGLISH ONLY if they are not interested in the possibility of continuing for the PhD. If you are admitted to the program having completed this MA application and then decide to go on to the PhD here, you will have to re-apply, submitting all required documents and fees again. If you think you may want to continue for the PhD, you should apply directly to the PhD in English (even if you will be entering the program at the MA level).
This will include the following:
• Graduate College application
• Domicile Affidavit
• Application fee ($85), payable to the University of Arizona
2. Complete the Literature Program Online Application (either English MA or PhD):
The application will include the following elements:
• Curriculum Vita
• Statement of purpose
• Official copies of transcripts from all colleges attended-you may download unofficial on-line for review purposes. If you are admitted, you will need to mail official transcripts to the program.
• Three academic letters of recommendation (your recommenders will be able to submit their letters through the online application system)
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Subject test is optional. Ask that your scores be sent to Institution Code #4832 Must be dated within 5 years of enrollment
• A writing sample (in the form of a critical paper; recommended length 10-20 pages, maximum of 25 pages)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY:
• TOEFL 550-paper or 79 internet. Scores must be dated within 2 years of enrollment.
Required test for both domestic and international students:
General GRE
Required test for international:
TOEFL
Minimum TOEFL: 79 internet
Minimum IELTS: Composite score of 7
Recommended tests:
GRE Subject test
Please see our webpage: http://english.arizona.edu/literature/financial-opportunities#overlay-context=literature/financial-aid-teaching-fellowships-awards
Applications are due around January 15 each year for the following fall semester. We have no spring admission.
4832
Candidates for the MA must take a total of 30 units of graduate coursework (of which 24, or 8 classes, must be in regularly scheduled literature courses unless otherwise approved by the Program Director), demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language, and pass a final examination based on reading lists approved by the faculty. In consultation with the Graduate Literature Program Director, students select one of two plans of study, as outlined below. Candidates take the final MA exam shortly after completing coursework, normally no later than the fourth semester in the program. A candidate who fails the MA Examination may, upon the recommendation of the committee and the Graduate Literature Director, be granted a second examination. The results of the second examination are final.
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