English/Composition and Literature, MA

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/Composition and Literature

IUP’s MA in Composition and Literature program 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 Composition and Literature in as little as a single year or may spread their work out over two or three years. The MA in Composition and Literature thus offers the advantages of both professional focus and personal flexibility.