English (MA)

Affiliation: School of Arts and Humanities

The discipline of English is incredibly diverse, and Truman’s English MA program is no exception. Our faculty draw many different analytical approaches, including cognitive studies, reader-response, feminist theory, and disability studies. We study literature, film, and other cultural texts from virtually all corners of the world, from the Medieval period to the present. Many of us are also creators of our own original works, including poetry, young adult fiction, short stories, films, screenplays, and historical fiction.

Our English graduate course offerings reflect the program’s emphasis on flexibility and possibility. Although some of our students enter the program with a clearly defined area of interest, the majority of students find a particular area of interest after taking a number of courses, interacting with fellow students, and engaging with the program faculty. The Director of English Graduate Studies also works with each admitted student to plan a course of study that best meets their personal, scholarly, and career goals.

The English MA program thus guides each individual in leadership development within a community of outstanding students and professors, each building on a unique set of strengths. We nurture a lifetime commitment to writing and to the study of literature, film, and other cultural texts. Many of our students pursue further study at the doctoral level or go on to attain law, master’s in fine arts, or library science degrees. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to fulfilling Truman’s general Graduate Programs: Admission Requirements, applicants to the Master’s program in English generally meet the following eligibility guidelines:

• Hold an undergraduate degree in English or a related field AND/OR have completed a minimum of 20 semester credits in literature, writing, film, and/or other courses typically taught in English or related fields AND
• Earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0-scale or equivalent.
• Non-native English speaking graduate international applicants must demonstrate English language competency at or above IELTS 6.5 or an equivalent score on another acceptable test of English proficiency.

Successful applicants demonstrate:

• Clear written communication skills
• Aptitude for close reading, critical textual analysis, and self-reflection
• Attention to audience and nuances of expression
• Ability to articulate personal, creative, scholarly, and professional goals related to the graduate degree they wish to pursue
• Ability to articulate how Truman’s program will help them meet their goals
• Ability to identify literary topics, creative projects, critical approaches, genres, forms, and/or cultural or historical contexts of interest to them

Students can pursue their degrees as either part-time or full-time students, and they can move back and forth between part-time and full-time status. Students who prefer to apply for admission as Non-Degree Seeking Graduate students will find the necessary information here.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

An application will only be reviewed by English graduate faculty once all required materials are submitted as part of the online application. International students can find additional information here.

1. Online application and $40 fee.
2. A writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages, as described below:
   • contains examples of sustained, thoughtful, and clear analytical writing of a literary or cultural text if your focus in the program will be on literary/textual study (sample may include one or two pieces) OR
   • contains examples of strong creative writing in your planned form(s) or genre(s), if you intend to pursue a creative thesis (sample may include on or multiple pieces) OR
   • contains shorter samples of both literary/textual criticism and creative writing not to exceed 25 pages total if you have interest in both literary/textual criticism and creative writing.
3. A professional statement, sometimes referred to as a personal statement (750-1,000 words) that describes:
   • the scholarly, creative, and/or professional goals that you plan to pursue in Truman’s MA program in English
   • examples of research and/or creative projects that you have pursued in the past and/or hope to pursue in the future
   • the literary topics, critical approaches, genres, forms, and cultural or historical contexts that interest you
   • why Truman’s program is a good fit for your needs and interests
     • If you’re looking for ideas for your professional statement, check out these suggestions from Petersons for tips on how to write an effective statement.
4. A professional resume or curriculum vita (CV). If you’re not sure about the difference between these, you might want to consult this resource from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University for an overview and examples. If you have already crafted a resume that includes the kinds of preparation and experience graduate programs look for, it is fine to use that for your application. Otherwise, a CV emphasizing your academic qualifications and experiences is recommended.
5. Two letters of recommendation from faculty or others acquainted with your scholarly work and qualified to comment upon your preparation for graduate study. When you create your profile for the online application, you will be asked to submit the contact information of your recommenders. They will then automatically receive a link with information on how to upload their letters to the system.
   • If you are applying to both the English MA and the MAE Secondary English programs, you may request letters from the same recommenders for both programs. Make sure to let your recommenders know what sorts of qualifications each program is looking for when evaluating applications. Alternatively, you may ask different individuals to write letters in support of your applications to each program.
   • If you plan to apply for an administrative and/or teaching assistantship (GAA/GTRA), be sure to provide your recommenders with the job descriptions of the positions for which you are applying and ask them to address your qualifications; job titles and descriptions are listed on English MA GTRA/GAA Application.
   • If you feel your application will be best supported by having a third recommendation letter, that is absolutely fine though not expected.
6. Transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you earned college credit, including high school dual credit. If you are a currently enrolled Truman student, you do not need to upload your Truman transcript, but please list Truman in the “Academic History” portion of your application.

OVERVIEW OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The English MA program offers two kinds of assistantships that help fund students’ education and provide sought-after professional skills that make their resumes stand out.

1. English Graduate Administrative and Editorial Assistant (GAAs) work closely with their supervisors to gain expertise in areas such as managing the Department’s social media accounts, editing departmental publications, providing advising support for undergraduate students, and planning events.
2. English Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTRAs) work with a dedicated supervisor who assists them in teaching a first-year writing course for Truman students (ENG 190).

If you are interested in applying for a funded position as a Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) and/or a Graduate Teaching Research Assistant (GTRA), you’ll find detailed information and current deadlines on the MA English Assistantships webpage.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• GTRA/GAA applications are considered after admissions decisions have been made.
• GTRAs and GAAs are required to reside in the State of Missouri for the duration of their employment contracts.
• GTRAs must teach in person and therefore reside in Kirksville. 

ONLINE PROGRAM DELIVERY

The English MA program is designed so that it can be completed online. With the exception of courses focusing on in-person instructional techniques, clearly labeled (IP) in the list of courses, all 600-level ENG courses are offered online. Currently approximately half of these are taught synchronously, starting after 5PM. The other half are taught asynchronously. The program is delivered in such a way that remote students and working adults are able to earn their degrees with us. However, students who are located in the Kirksville area are welcome to meet with faculty and fellow local students in person.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Courses:	32-35 Credit Hours	(Depending on Culminating Project)
Culminating Project:	1-4 Credit Hours	(See Culminating Project Options below Courses)
Degree Total:	36 Credit Hours	(At least 18 of which must be at the 600-level)

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Courses are taught online unless otherwise marked (IP) for in-person instruction.
• Most courses may be repeated under different topics. See the full catalog description for each course for details. Specific topics are listed each semester in open course lists.
• Many of our 600-level courses are offered with 1-, 2-, or 4-credit variations. See the semester open course list for details.
• No more than 12 combined credits of ENG 609G  and ENG 650G  may count toward the MA in English.
• All first-year English GTRAs are required to take 2 credits of ENG 698G - Teaching Practicum: Writing as Critical Thinking  (IP); 1 credit in the fall and 1 credit in the spring to coincide with their first year of teaching of ENG 190  .