Master of Arts in English Literatures

The MA Program in English Literatures prides itself on its intellectual rigor, diversity of subjects and approaches, and commitment to excellence in teaching. Course offerings balance traditional literary history with new work in such fields as postcolonial studies, food studies, digital literacies, environmental humanities, cultural studies, literature and psychology, narrative, lyric, and performance theories, and feminist studies. Students in the program have the flexibility to design and personalize their master's program to meet their diverse interests and provide opportunities for professionalization in the field.

The MA Program serves the needs of those whose goal is teaching in junior or community colleges or private high schools, pursuing a Ph.D., or advancing skills and knowledge in reading and writing about literature. Our graduates work as teachers in high schools and community colleges, enter the field of publishing, write for journals, magazines, and online publications, earn PhDs, enter law school, start their own businesses, and work for non-profits, foundations, and government agencies.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to produce well-supported and clearly articulated literary arguments that demonstrate their expertise in a historical field.

2. Students will be able to produce well-supported and clearly articulated literary arguments that draw on appropriate theoretical paradigms.

3. Students will be able to present their work orally in various academic contexts.

4. Students will be able to select, analyze, interpret, and evaluate a range of printed and electronic primary and secondary literary and literary-cultural source materials and integrate them into their own writing, using proper citation methods.

5. Students will be able to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical debates in the field.

Admission to the program is competitive. In order to be considered for the program, applicants should submit:

University Cal State Apply application

Department application for MA: English Literatures (available from the English Department website)

A statement of purpose, detailing the applicant's intellectual interests, the basis of his or her engagement in the field, and professional goals
An academic writing sample
Transcripts from each college or university attended
Two or more academic letters of recommendation
Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalareate degree.
IELTS - 6.5, TOEFL IBT-80, PBT-550, PTE- 59