English, MA
Administrative Unit
The program is administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research through the Faculty of English, Department of Literature and Languages, College of Arts and Humanities.
Objectives
The purposes of the Master of Arts program in English are at least five-fold: (1) to train students to work with the materials of literature with scholarly competence and maturity; (2) to prepare students to teach English in schools and colleges; (3) to provide additional professional training for English teachers currently employed in elementary and secondary schools; (4) to prepare students for such non-teaching vocations as publishing, advertising, editing, civil service, and management; (5) and to offer sound professional training on the Master's level for students who intend to pursue a doctorate elsewhere in literary studies, including rhetoric, and composition.
Competencies
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in English program, students will be able to:
- Advanced Literary and Rhetorical Analysis
Demonstrate advanced rhetorical and analytical skills in argumentation, interpretation, criticism, or explication through sustained scholarly work.
- Scholarly Research and Use of Sources
Exhibit scholarly competence in the research and effective use of primary and secondary sources in literary, rhetorical, or cultural studies.
- Depth of Disciplinary Knowledge
Demonstrate mastery of one focused area within English studies, such as literature, rhetoric and composition, cultural studies, or a related field.
- Cultural and Scholarly Contextualization
Analyze texts within appropriate historical, cultural, and theoretical contexts and demonstrate awareness of current scholarship in the discipline.
- Capstone Scholarship and Professional Writing
Produce a substantial capstone project—such as a thesis, scholarly article, project, or professional portfolio—that reflects graduate‑level research, writing proficiency, and disciplinary knowledge.
Admission Requirements
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
Regular Admission Status
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours
- Writing sample:
- A 2-3 page statement of purpose explaining motives and goals for choosing to complete an MA degree in English at the University of Texas Permian Basin and your aptitude/strengths for success in graduate study.
Conditional Admission Status
Applicants who do not meet the Regular admission requirements may be considered for Conditional admission. Evaluation of materials is done on a case-by-case basis.
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA below 3.0 but not lower than 2.5 in the last 60 credits.
- The program will evaluate the applicant's academic preparation to determine potential academic performance. Leveling courses may be required.
- Writing sample:
- A 2-3 page statement of purpose explaining motives and goals for choosing to complete an MA degree in English at the University of Texas Permian Basin and your aptitude/strengths for success in graduate study.
- Applicant must submit a resume that lists relevant experiences.
Required Course
| ENGL 6300 | Theory and Practice English Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
American Literature: 2 courses are required
British Literature: 2 courses are required
| ENGL 6324 | Studies in Later British Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 6323 | Studies in Early British Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 6360 | Film and Media Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 6332 | Literature And The Visual Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Electives - 6-11 hours - depending on Capstone hours (i.e. 12 remaining hours minus Capstone hours)
Capstone