Program: English/Literature, MA - Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Apr 06, 2025

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog

Program code: ENGLAH-LITR

The three MA in English programs at IUP respond to the needs of four groups of students: those interested in gaining a generalist background in graduate English studies, students wanting to concentrate on literature, students seeking secondary English certification or desiring to enhance their existing skills in teaching English, and students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages.

The MA in Literature and MA in Composition and Literature requires 30 credit hours, either of course work (ten courses) or a combination of course work and an internship or thesis. Each option has its own set of requirements for distributing those 30 hours, and each has its own admissions committee. Students applying for admission must indicate which degree option they wish to pursue.

The Composition and Literature (MA Comp- Lit) option is designed for students who wish to combine coursework in composition and literary studies–the two primary subfields of the English discipline–in order to pursue teaching at the community-college level or for beginning advanced doctoral work. The literature (MA/LIT) option is for active professionals who wish to further their expertise in literature and for students who wish to prepare for work on a PhD in literature and criticism. Students in either program who complete Post-Baccalaureate English Certification will be qualified and certified to teach in postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania. The MA/TESOL option prepares students in the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages in a variety of settings within (English as a Second Language) and outside (English as a Foreign Language) the United States.

Program Requirements

MA/Literature

The MA in Literature Program responds to the needs of four groups of students: Students interested in gaining a generalist background in graduate English studies, students wanting to concentrate on literature and research, students seeking secondary English certification or desiring to enhance their existing skills in teaching English, and students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages. Students who combine the MA in Literature program with a Post- Baccalaureate English Certification will be qualified and certified to teach in postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania.

The MA in Literature Program requires 30 credit hours, either of course work (ten courses) or a combination of course work and an internship or thesis. Each option has its own set of requirements for distributing those 30 hours, and each has its own admissions committee. Students applying for admission must indicate which degree option they wish to pursue.

IUP’s MA in Literature offers courses during both summer sessions and during the academic year. As there is no specific residency requirement for the MA at IUP, students are not required to attend the program full time during the academic year; some of the work may be accomplished over the course of several summers—although certain courses required in several of the programs are offered only during the normal academic year. However, the final six credits must be taken at IUP. Students attending full time can complete the MA in Literature degree in as little as a single year or may spread their work out over two or three years. Thus, the MA in English at IUP offers the advantages of both professional focus and personal flexibility.

MA/Literature Course Requirements:

I. Core Courses (9 cr.)

ENGL 674 - Research Trends in English Credits: 3
ENGL 676 - Critical Approaches to Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 753 - Studies in Literature as a Profession Credits: 3
or
ENGL 698 - Internship Credits: 3-6

II. Period Courses (9 cr.)

Choose three courses:

ENGL 761 - American Literature before 1870: Credits: 3
ENGL 762 - American Literature since 1870 Credits: 3
ENGL 763 - British Literature before 1660: Credits: 3
ENGL 764 - British Literature Since 1660: Credits: 3

III. Courses in Approaches to the Literary Canon (3 cr.)

Choose one course:

ENGL 766 - Comparative Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 771 - Postmodern Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 772 - Women’s Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 773 - American or British Minority Literature Credits: 3

IV. Literature Electives (6 cr.)

Choose two courses:

ENGL 518 - Young Adult Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 757 - Digital Composition, Literature, and Pedagogy Credits: 3
ENGL 760 - Teaching College Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 761 - American Literature before 1870: Credits: 3
ENGL 762 - American Literature since 1870 Credits: 3
ENGL 763 - British Literature before 1660: Credits: 3
ENGL 764 - British Literature Since 1660: Credits: 3
ENGL 765 - Literature as Genre: Credits: 3
ENGL 766 - Comparative Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 771 - Postmodern Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 772 - Women’s Literature: Credits: 3
ENGL 773 - American or British Minority Literature Credits: 3

V. Open Electives (3 cr.)

Three semester hours approved by the director of Graduate Studies in Literature from other graduate offerings in Literature, courses in Composition and TESOL, or courses outside the department in a related and appropriate field.

Minimum TOEFL (or equivalent) score 560

English/Literature, MA