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Please note that while we have a rolling application review process all year long, we give priority, in our review process, to applications that are received by April 15 for fall admission, and by November 1 for spring/summer admission.

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English - Literature, Master of Arts

This plan fosters your understanding of concepts, periods, authors, and issues fundamental to the advanced study of literature in English.

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Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
    Read the full policy.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion36
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
ThesisThesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
ResearchIndividualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study

Purpose Statement

In the Literary Studies Emphasis of the English MA, students acquire a strong foundation in literary theory and research and develop an advanced understanding of traditional and emerging literary histories and fields of scholarship. The course of study for this flexible program includes foundational coursework in literary theory, rhetorical theory, and literary research methods, while additional courses build upon these foundations by developing expertise in specific genres, periods, and topics. The program provides opportunities for students to work on closely mentored, individualized projects directed toward practical professional goals like writing and submitting essays for publication in journals and for presentation at conferences. This degree is ideal for students seeking preparation for PhD work or community college teaching in literature, and for secondary teachers and others seeking additional training in literary studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Theory and Knowledge

  • Students will learn the theoretical foundations and research methods in advanced literary studies, and gain expertise in specific genres, periods, and topics in the field.


Analysis and Critical Thinking

  • Students will learn to critically analyze how written, digital, visual, and spoken texts shape and are shaped by diverse local, national, global, historical, aesthetic, and ideological contexts.
  • Students will learn to evaluate and synthesize appropriate research, scholarship, and methodologies as demonstrated in advanced-level scholarly projects, creative work, discussion and presentation, and other appropriate assignments.


Research and Application

  • Students will learn to construct course-related projects directed at investigating, understanding, and applying scholarly approaches and criticism in the field of literary studies.
  • Students will learn to participate in advanced professional activities (conferences, publications, practicum experiences, research projects, and other activities).

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts.
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy.
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • 2 letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay 
    • Writing sample
    • Resume or curriculum vitae
Master's Requirements
  • This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

    • Common Course Requirements: 9 units
    • Five Literature Courses: 15 units
    • Electives: 12 units
    The 36 units required for the degree must include at least 6 units of Global Learning Initiative (GLI) -focused coursework.
     

    Take the following 36 units:

    Common Course Requirements 

    • ENG 500, ENG 560, ENG 562 (9 units)
    Literature Courses
    • Select five courses from the following literature courses (15 units):
      • ENG 515, ENG 516, ENG 523, ENG 524, ENG 525, ENG 545, ENG 546, ENG 547, ENG 551, ENG 553, ENG 576,ENG 641, ENG 642, ENG 643, ENG 644, ENG 645, ENG 646, ENG 651, ENG 655, ENG 662, ENG 666
    • Electives (12 units)
      • Select four ENG Elective Courses; up to 9 units of non-ENG coursework may be counted toward this requirement with advisor approval.

    The 36 units required for the degree must include at least 6 units of Global Learning Initiative (GLI) -focused coursework, at least three units of which must be taken from the following list:
    • ENG 516, ENG 525, ENG 545, ENG 546, ENG 547, ENG 551, ENG 644, ENG 651
    • Note: ENG 562 counts as a GLI course, which thus fulfills three required GLI units.
Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Flagstaff
  • Online

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Karen J Renner
Associate Professor
Department of English
Karen.Renner@nau.edu
+1 928 523-6012
Liberal Arts , room 331
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Donelle R Ruwe
Associate Dean of Professional Education Programs; Professor, English
Professional Education Programs
Donelle.Ruwe@nau.edu
+1 928 523-6729
Eastburn Education , room 119
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KT Thompson
Associate Professor
Department of English
KT.Thompson@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5140
Liberal Arts , room 115A
What we look for in applications for the MA in Literature program is a demonstration that an applicant possesses strong critical thinking and writing skills, a strong academic background in literature (or related humanities field), and an ability to manage the demands of a graduate program (as shown by a good academic record, relevant work experience, strong motivation or support, or similar factors).
Master’s study involves a person’s substantial investment, and we want to help you ensure that your money and time are well spent.
The personal statement (500-1,000 words) can discuss your individual qualities in light of the general expectations just mentioned. Can you offer specific information that supports your ability to succeed in an MA Literature program? How does your educational background or work or extracurricular experience translate into the critical reading, writing, and thinking skills you will need? This statement might include discussion of (1) your preparation and motivation for graduate-level study in literature, (2) your immediate hopes or plans for your studies while you are a graduate student, and (3) your long-term objectives for your degree. After you complete it, what will this degree mean to you personally and professionally in five or ten years?
For the writing sample, it is most helpful to have an essay that demonstrates your ability to work in a scholarly, critical, or interpretive manner. Such a paper might demonstrate a strong critical argument about a literary work (or similar text), including adequate textual analysis and interpretation and possibly outside research. Most desirable would be an 8-15-page essay that demonstrates your writing, critical thinking, and research skills in close relationship to literature.
For both personal statement and writing sample, you should copy-edit and proofread so that you submit writing as polished as possible.
Your recommenders can help, too. Letters of support that address your academic training and skills are preferred and are the references most helpful to our purposes. If you do not have any recent academic coursework and cannot get letters of reference that speak to your academic training, you might then seek out recommenders who have been your direct supervisors and who can attest that you are a disciplined, responsible, well-regarded person.
People considering graduate study in our program have sometimes found it helpful to test their preparation or upgrade their application by enrolling at NAU as a non-degree student in order to take one or two graduate literature classes. These courses can count toward a degree if a person is subsequently accepted int the program as a regular degree student. View information at the “Non-degree admission” tab on this page: https://nau.edu/graduate-college/admissions/.
Find our more about our faculty and current students.

Questions? Contact the MA in Literature Program

Email:
Steven.Rosendale​@nau.edu
Call:
(928)523-1967
Department of English
Location
Room 140 Building 18
Liberal Arts
705 S. Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6032
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6032
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6032
Email
english@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-4911