UMKC College of Arts and Sciences
Master of Arts Degree in English
The Department of English offers three 33-hour programs of study leading to the master of arts in English. Through courses in British and U.S. literature, creative and expository writing, film, linguistics, composition/rhetoric, and literary criticism, these programs of study are designed to prepare students for teaching, research, and writing careers, and for further study at the doctoral level.
The English Literature M.A. provides a general background in English and American literature and is strongly recommended for students planning further graduate study in English and/or American literature.
The English Language and Literature M.A. combines graduate study of literature with the study of linguistics and/or composition and rhetoric. This M.A. prepares students for teaching or pursuing the Ph.D. in composition and rhetoric or in linguistics.
The M.A. in English with a Creative Writing emphasis trains students in creative writing. Students elect a concentration in poetry or fiction.
Faculty
English Department faculty has a broad range of professional competence
in the study of literature and language, and its members are trained
to teach courses in U.S. and British literature, linguistics, American
culture, film, creative writing, journalism, and composition. The
Department believes the study and teaching of literature and language
to be an important means of preserving and vitalizing our humanistic
tradition.
Real-World Opportunities
The Department and the College of Arts and Sciences publish New
Letters, a continuation of The University Review,
which for over 50 years published the works of new and distinguished
writers.
The Department sponsors the publication Number One a magazine of student poetry and fiction, and The Sosland Journal, a collection of award-winning student essays from the Illus W. Davis contest. BkMk (Book Mark) Press, operated under the auspices of the College of Arts and Sciences and housed in the department, publishes books of poetry and prose of high quality by professional writers.
The M.A. Program
Students may plan their graduate programs and coursework along one of three lines. The first is a traditional curriculum of literature courses that attempts to familiarize students with most periods and genres of English and American literature. The other two focus on specific areas of interest: creative writing or English language (which may include graduate courses in linguistics and/or composition and rhetoric). A maximum of 18 hours in the field of specialization will count toward the degree, but the student's programs should include at least 12 hours in the area of specialization.
Students entering the M.A. program are required to fulfill the equivalent of two undergraduate years of one foreign language. Students who wish to take the ETS exam may do so. They must pass this exam by scoring at the 50th percentile or higher. Creative writing students submit a portfolio of their work. The portfolio must be approved by the student's full committee and accepted by the graduate committee of the department at the end of their last semester (or summer session, under special circumstances).
Application Process
The application process is competitive. Applicants must have a B.A.
in English or a B.A. that includes at least 30 hours of sophomore-,
junior-, and senior-level English courses or the equivalent. Applicants
with fewer than 30 hours of undergraduate English courses may be
assigned coursework in addition to the 33 hours required for graduation.
Applicants need a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a 3.0 average
in English coursework. In unusual circumstances, the principal graduate
advisor may review applications with a lower grade point average.
A complete application includes a UMKC application (sent to the Office of Admissions in Room 120 of the Administrative Center) and the following five items (sent to the Department of English, Cockefair Hall 106):
- the English Department M.A. application,
- a score at or above the 60 percentile on either the verbal section of the Graduate Record Exam or GRE Major Field Test in English,
- writing sample (an essay if applying to literature program; creative work or the Creative Writing Emphasis),
- three letters of recommendation,
- and a statement of purpose
Please allow time so that all of the materials will be available for consideration by January 15 for summer and fall semesters.
General Requirements
Students with a Literature or Language and Literature
concentration must earn 34 graduate credits and students with a
Creative Writing concentration must earn 33 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degrees.
At least 15 hours must be at graduate level (courses
numbered 500 and above) and taught by a member of the graduate faculty,
and at least 9 hours must be in 500-level seminars or other 500-level
courses with 400-level courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 average
(B) grade point average to remain in the M.A. program and to complete
the degree. Students must fulfill a foreign language requirement
by satisfactorily completing (with a "C" or better) two years of
one foreign language or by completing satisfactorily the final exam
of a second-semester language course.
Students must complete a formal "Program of Study" and have it signed within a year after admission and must complete all coursework within seven years.
Assistantships
The department awards on a competitive basis a limited number of
graduate teaching and research assistantships. The application
deadline is January 15 for Fall Semester.
Awards and Scholarships
Graduate students with a concentration in creative Writing in the English Department may compete for the
Gary William Barger Memorial Scholarship. A complete description,
application instructions, and deadline can be found on the scholarships
page.
Careers
The UMKC Career Service Staff will help you throughout your time
at UMKC and beyond. Free software programs and career counselors
can help you with a vast array of information about career opportunities.
As graduation approaches, UMKC will help with resume preparation,
on-campus interviews and large job fairs. To learn more, call UMKC
Career Services at (816) 235-1636 or log on at www.career.umkc.edu
.
English Department
(816) 235-1305
http://cas.umkc.edu/english
UMKC Admissions
(816) 235-1111
www.umkc.edu
Office of Admissions
120 Administrative Center
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499
