Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in English and Media Studies offers students the opportunity to work closely with internationally known faculty, pursue independent research, and attend a wide range of classes designed to advance candidates in various careers. The program covers traditional and emerging fields in English, as well as applied topics in editing, pedagogy, and writing.

Program Details

The faculty has research interests that cover all historical periods of Anglophone literature, in addition to rhetoric, linguistics, journalism, creative writing, and digital studies. The program boasts a vibrant graduate student community grounded in activities at the Rutgers–Camden Writers House, which includes an annual NEA-funded Writers in Camden reading series, the Cooper Street Workshops, and a lively roster of creative and scholarly events.

Admissions Criteria

To apply, students will need to submit:

• An official transcript from their undergraduate institution
• 3 letters of recommendation
• A personal statement outlining the student’s professional goals
• An academic writing sample of 15-20 pages Please note that the GRE examination is no longer required.

Curriculum

Students Matriculated Prior to Fall 2018

To view the curriculum requirements for students matriculated before Fall 2018, please refer to the M.A. Matriculated pre-Fall 2018 section.

Students Matriculated Fall 2018 and After

To receive the M.A. in English and Media Studies degree, each student must complete:

• 30 credits, including:
  • 1 Professional Seminar in English Studies – 3 credits
  • 1 Seminar in Theory and Criticism – 3 credits
  • A minimum of 7 electives, one of which must have a “DIV” designation – 21 credits
  • 1 Independent Study: Capstone Project – 3 credits
• A Capstone Project

Required Courses

• Professional Seminar in English – 3 credits: This course introduces students to graduate-level research methods and writing skills. Students will learn how these skills can be applied to a variety of academic and professional careers in digital studies, pedagogy, library science, and scholarly editing among others.
• Theory and Criticism – 3 credits: This course introduces students to a wide-range of theoretical frameworks and schools of cultural criticism that will be central to their academic research and writing.
• Electives – 21 credits: Students will take 7 additional elective classes. One of these classes must have a Diversity “DIV” Designation.
• Independent Study: Capstone Project – 3 credits: In their final semester, students should register for this credit-bearing course while they conduct the research, production, and/or writing necessary to complete their capstone project.

Diversity Designation

Each student must take at least 1 elective course with a “DIV” for Diversity Designation. These courses will cover a wide variety of issues related to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, physical and mental ability, and aging.