Master of Arts in English - Writing Studies

The University of Maine Master of Arts in English engages MA candidates as scholars, teachers, and artists who understand that individual excellence is developed within a community that values respectful exchange and a strong network of peer and mentor support. All of our program's areas of expertisepoetics, writing studies, literature, creative writingcentralize dialogue, experimentation, and collaboration. We responsibly challenge received ideas in our disciplines with a passion for new approaches and a nuanced understanding of our histories. Our degree culminates with a professional portfolio our graduates use to advance their goals toward PhD or MFA programs, teaching careers, employment in the private or public-sector, or personal growth. Students who seek a learning environment that supports them even as it challenges them to enhance their knowledge, explore new ideas, and gain experience in literary analysis, research, writing, and teaching will find themselves at home with us. Our critical strength is our diversity of approaches and the kinds of experiences we offer. MA candidates can expect to grow in different and sometimes unexpected directions as they explore many different facets of English studies. While deepening and widening their knowledge of literature, our MA candidates find themselves preparing technical documentation, editing a short story, writing an innovative assignment sequence or grant application, and/or taking up the challenges of poetics, empirical field-research on writing, and literary and rhetorical theory.

The concentration in Writing Studies allows students to develop an interest in the theory and practice of teaching composition and empirical research in writing studies. The student may choose from among available courses in composition theory, pedagogy, linguistics, literacy, and rhetoric.

Have official undergraduate transcript(s) sent to the UMaine Graduate School
Ask three people to write letters of recommendation
Revise and polish your writing sample(s)
Applicants normally are expected to have at least a 3.0 grade-point average in English from an accredited institution, and to provide us with three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a personal statement, and a 10-20 page sample of formal literary analysis (applicants to the creative writing concentration must also submit a 10-20 page sample of creative work.)
Applicants who wish to complete one of the concentrations should indicate this on their application forms.
IELTS - 6.5
TOEFL IBT - 80
Duolingo English Test - 105