Program Overview

English, MA

Introduction

The English Studies graduate program provides a strong foundation in primary knowledge areas, including the major genres and the theory of genre, approaches to literacy, English language study, and the impact of technology on reading and writing. The program invites MA candidates to build on this foundation by developing an expertise in teaching, and by expanding their content knowledge with courses in rhetoric, literature, film, and applied linguistics.

Program Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 ENGL credit hours.
2. Students must complete all courses at the graduate (5000 and above) level.
3. Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in all courses that apply to the degree and must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
4. Students must complete a minimum of 21 ENGL credits with CU Denver faculty.

Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations

1. All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.
2. All courses must be completed in the ENGL subject code.
3. Students must complete all required coursework satisfactorily.
4. Students must demonstrate a commitment to language diversity through one of the following ways:
   • A language other than English is spoken in the home and competency is confirmed by the CU Denver department of Modern Languages or an equivalent body.
   • Completion of two semesters (or the equivalent) at the college level of any second language, including Old English, American Sign Language, computer coding, translation.
   • Completing ENGL 5601 Teaching English Language Learners: Theory and Practice, as an elective course.
5. Compliance with all graduate education policies and requirements is required.
6. Graduate students may only count six credit hours of Independent Study toward the English MA degree.
7. Candidate for Degree: Graduate students must be registered for at least one credit hour during the semester that they graduate.
8. Teaching Assistantships: Graduate students who receive a teaching assistantship must take ENGL 5913 Practicum in Language and Rhetoric in the fall during their first semester as a teaching assistant.

Course List

• Complete the following required courses:
  • ENGL 5100: Introduction to Graduate Studies
  • ENGL 5135: Linguistics & Global Englishes
  • ENGL 5145: Theory (Literary and Rhetorical Theory)
  • ENGL 5155: Genres of Writing
  • ENGL 5165: Technologies of Writing
• Complete 12 ENGL graduate (5000-level or higher) credit hours.
• Students may choose to concentrate English graduate courses in a particular area of study that meets the student's goals in the program.
• Complete a three credit hour portfolio exam or a minimum of three credit hours designing and defending a thesis.
  • ENGL 6970: Portfolio Exam
  • ENGL 6950: Master's Thesis
• Total Hours: 30

Student Learning Outcomes

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.