English (M.A.)

The Master of Arts in English at UNF gives you a rigorous foundation in literary study across British, American and world traditions. In small graduate seminars with active faculty scholars, you will sharpen your critical reading and writing, engage with poetry, drama, fiction, film and contemporary literary theory and develop the analytical depth that prepares you for doctoral study, teaching and professional advancement.

The program is 33 credit hours across 11 courses. Students who want classroom teaching experience can enroll in graduate teaching practica after completing 18 hours of graduate study.

Students interested in college-level classroom experience or independent research may work directly with faculty members to arrange a practicum or directed independent study after completing six courses. In the program's 11 courses, students may enroll in a maximum of two practica, two independent studies or one of each.

Graduate students concentrating in Creative Writing develop their craft while deepening their understanding of literary genres and traditions. Dynamic workshops, independent studies and special topic offerings explore techniques and trends in the contemporary literary writing environment.

Alongside courses that examine influential authors and literary movements, graduate work in Creative Writing provides dedicated time to experiment with forms, hone editorial skills and work closely with faculty actively engaged in the writing world. The goal is for each student to master form, style and voice.

A number of graduate students in the M.A. program go on to teach writing at community colleges, and some teach in UNF's Writing Program. The Concentration in Composition and Rhetoric is designed for students pursuing those pathways, as well as careers in technical writing, editing and publishing.

The concentration is nine credit hours across three courses. Students take courses in theory, research, pedagogical issues and technical writing. A teaching practicum is available following the completion of background courses in composition and rhetoric.

This concentration is also recommended for secondary-level English teachers who provide writing instruction and want to deepen their professional qualifications.

The Accelerated B.A. to M.A. in English is designed for high-achieving undergraduates who want to earn both degrees in approximately five years. In your senior year, you take up to three graduate courses that count toward both your bachelor's and master's degrees, giving you a significant head start before you graduate.

The financial advantage is real. Because those graduate credits are taken while you still hold undergraduate status, you may be able to apply undergraduate financial aid and scholarships toward them. You also enter the M.A. program without taking the GRE.

To be eligible you will need to:

• Be majoring in English at UNF with a 3.5 GPA in your English courses
• Complete 21 hours of English major requirements, including ENG 4013 Approaches to Literary Interpretation, before applying
• Meet with the COAS English Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Program Director at the start of your junior year
• Submit two letters of recommendation from UNF Department of English faculty

The application happens during your junior year, so the earlier you start planning the better. Graduate classes replace nine hours of undergraduate study, so undergraduate courses must be planned carefully to ensure the right classes are available to replace with graduate coursework.

Applicants must satisfy both the State University System general requirements and the specific requirements of the Department of English M.A. program.

Requirements

1. A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last two years (60 semester hours) of undergraduate coursework.
2. A B.A. in English or a related field.
3. A course in literary criticism, such as ENG 4013 or ENG 4014, with a grade of B or higher. Applicants who lack such a course but who otherwise meet the admissions requirements may take ENG 4013 or ENG 4014 as part of the admissions process. While not required, LIT 3213 (The Art of Critical Reading) is recommended.
4. A writing sample submitted to the Graduate Coordinator. The sample should be four to seven pages of literary criticism, composition research or rhetorical analysis, not creative writing or personal essay. A paper written for an undergraduate literature class is appropriate.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place in the M.A. program. Candidates need to demonstrate that their previous studies have given them the tools to complete graduate-level work successfully. For more complete coverage of procedures, see the Graduate Handbook.

Admission Sequence

1. Complete the university's application forms.
2. Once the Admissions Office receives your transcripts and writing sample, an Admissions Officer will forward a Graduate Referral to the Graduate Coordinator, who will make the final decision concerning acceptance.
3. An Admissions Officer will then send a formal letter with the Graduate Coordinator's decision.
4. Meet with the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible to review your program of study.

The English Graduate Organization is a social and pre-professional organization for graduate students in UNF's English department. EGO gives graduate students a way to contribute to the life of the department, advise one another and navigate graduate study together.

EGO co-hosts the Annual English Graduate Student Conference, holds readings of critical and creative writing and organizes sessions on topics of interest to graduate students.

Biannual Graduate English Conferences

Since 2000, the English Graduate Program and EGO have sponsored a graduate English conference every year in which current graduate students and alumni deliver scholarly papers. The event gives students and alumni experience in one of the central activities of university-level critical writing. Starting in 2009, EGO and the program expanded to two conferences per year, one in fall and one in spring. A free lunch is served.

Benefits of Presenting a Paper

Students are encouraged to ask their instructors whether presenting a conference paper can count for course credit in their 6000-level courses. All students in the program should try to deliver a paper at least once. It is one of the most direct ways to build a scholarly record before entering the academic job market or applying to doctoral programs.