Master of Arts in English

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog. The program-specific requirements for English include:

  1. Twenty semester credits of English beyond the communication requirement with a 3.00 grade point average or better.
  2. A writing sample of 10-15 pages on topics or in modes appropriate to the proposed program of study. Applicants who plan to major in creative writing should also submit an analytical paper.
  3. A resume or CV is recommended for applicants seeking a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Applications will be considered for both fall and spring admission. Application deadlines can be found on the UND website.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Arts degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the English Language and Literature Department.

Thesis Option

  1. A minimum of thirty credit hours are needed for the M.A., including the required courses listed below, the thesis (4 credits), and any Readings/Research courses (maximum 4 credits).
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  3. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  4. ENGL 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies; ENGL 501 Teaching College English and ENGL 501L Teaching College English Laboratory (for Graduate Teaching Assistants only); and either ENGL 510 History of Literary Criticism or ENGL 511 Problems in Literary Criticism. Courses must be completed with grades of A or B (S for ENGL 501L Teaching College English Laboratory).
  5. Up to 4 credits of Readings and Research courses (ENGL 590 Readings and ENGL 593 Research) may be used to supplement the standard graduate offerings.
  6. Four credits are allowed for the thesis.
  7. Required courses:
  8. ENGL 500Introduction to Graduate Studies2
    ENGL 501Teaching College English3
    ENGL 501LTeaching College English Laboratory1
    ENGL 510History of Literary Criticism3
    or ENGL 511 Problems in Literary Criticism
    Electives17
    ENGL 998Thesis4
    Total Credits30

Non-Thesis Option

  1. A minimum of thirty-two credit hours are needed for the M.A., including the required courses listed below, ENGL 598 Portfolio Workshop and ENGL 995 Scholarly Project, and any Readings/Research courses (maximum 4 credits).
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  3. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  4. ENGL 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies; ENGL 501 Teaching College English and ENGL 501L Teaching College English Laboratory (for Graduate Teaching Assistants only); and either ENGL 510 History of Literary Criticism or ENGL 511 Problems in Literary Criticism. Courses must be completed with grades of A or B (S for ENGL 501L Teaching College English Laboratory).
  5. Up to 4 credits of Readings and Research courses (ENGL 590 Readings and ENGL 593 Research) may be used to supplement the standard graduate offerings.
  6. The Critical Introductory Statement to the Portfolio will serve as the written comprehensive exam.
  7. Required courses:
  8. ENGL 500Introduction to Graduate Studies2
    ENGL 501Teaching College English3
    ENGL 501LTeaching College English Laboratory1
    ENGL 510History of Literary Criticism3
    or ENGL 511 Problems in Literary Criticism
    ENGL 598Portfolio Workshop3
    Electives18
    ENGL 995Scholarly Project2
    Total Credits32