Program Overview

Master of Arts in English

The Master of Arts in English at Chapman University's Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is designed for students seeking continuing education, a foundation for doctoral work (Ph.D., Ed.D., JD) and/or a credential qualifying them to teach literature and composition courses at junior and community colleges. Full-time students complete the degree in two years. All graduate classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening.

Program Highlights

• Small seminars in literature, rhetoric and composition, cultural studies and digital humanities to deepen and develop your skills in research and analysis.
• Literary events that bring national/international authors to campus and literature to life such as the John Fowles Center Literary Arts Reading Series every spring, the Tabula Poetica Reading Series every fall, and Pub(lishing) Crawl in April.
• The Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) program allows select second-year students to earn valuable teaching experience as the instructor of record for our undergraduate English Composition courses.
• Flexible scheduling with classes offered in late afternoon and evening and part-time options so you don't have to put your life on hold and can earn your degree at your own pace.
• Welcoming to in-service teachers seeking additional credentials as well as undergraduate students interested in building a foundation for doctoral work or law school.
• The program also offers an integrated BA/MA Program for current Chapman undergraduate students to start a master's degree in English during their senior year of undergraduate study.

Alumni Highlight

Allie Vernon, MA '20, notes, "The MA in English at Chapman University was a rich and rewarding educational experience. Not only did I grow as a scholar, but I also developed important relationships with professors and peers in my field that proved fruitful for future career opportunities."

Faculty Highlights

• Dr. Ian Barnard teaches Rhetoric and Composition, Queer Studies.
• Dr. Rei Magosaki teaches Multicultural Literatures of the U.S., Asian-American Literature, U.S. Fiction after 1950, Contemporary U.S. literature, American Short Stories, Japanese Literature in Translation.
• Dr. Lynda Hall teaches Introduction to Fiction, Literature into Film, Jane Austen studies.

Application Requirements

To apply, all applicants must provide the following materials:

• Official transcripts from all degree-granting (bachelor's or master's degrees) colleges and universities attended.
• Your resume or curriculum vitae.
• A statement of intent; an essay expressing your reasons for wanting to join the MA in English program. What are your personal and career goals, and how will this particular degree from Chapman University help you reach those goals? Your essay should be double spaced, size 12 font, and 2-4 pages in length.
• A completed 12–15-page literary essay that focuses on an analysis of one or two literary texts. The essay should be informed by contemporary literary, rhetorical, and/or cultural theory and criticism, and demonstrate analytical strengths and critical writing skills.
• A graduate admission test is required for applicants with a bachelor's degree cumulative GPA below a 3.0. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99, may be considered for admission by submitting a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum scores of Verbal: 154, Quantitative: 147, and Analytical Writing: 4.0 or by demonstrating significant relevant professional experience.
• Two letters of recommendation that speak to academic and/or professional preparation, intellectual ability, and aptitude for graduate study.

Curriculum

Students complete 33 credits of academic coursework and successfully complete a master's thesis project in literature or rhetoric. For further information on degree prerequisites, admission requirements and a list of courses view the Graduate Course Catalog.

Funding Opportunities

While the program does not offer traditional teaching/research assistantships or tuition fellowships, MA in English students have access to the following funding opportunities:

• Paid Graduate Teaching Assistantships: For select second-year students, the competitive Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) program allows first-year students who take the spring class in Teaching Composition to apply for one of the GSI positions for the fall of their second year. Selected GSIs each teach a section of composition in the fall while also enrolled together in a second pedagogy class. This position does not come with an award that covers tuition but does come with a teaching stipend worth approximately $6,852.
• Paid Graduate Assistantships: Ranging between $36.89 an hour for 9 to 19 hours per week, select students can start as early as their first year of study with either department faculty members or in offices across the larger university in research or administrative support.

Application Deadlines

Applications are due by:

• February 1 for Fall Semester
• November 1 for Spring Semester Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a rolling basis as space is available.