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Master of Arts Degree in English
The 34-hour M.A. in English is designed for students desiring 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 Language and Literature track is designed for students who wish to combine graduate study of literature with the study of linguistics and/or composition and rhetoric. This track is recommended for students interested in teaching in community colleges or secondary schools and for students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in composition and rhetoric or linguistics.
The Manuscript, Print Culture, and Editing track is designed for students who wish to combine the study of literature with the study of book history, print culture, and editing. This track is recommended for students interested in editorial careers, offering several internship experiences in print and online media, and for students interesting in pursuing the Ph.D. in book history and print culture.
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 the English language, which may include graduate courses in linguistics and/or composition
and rhetoric; or on manuscript, print culture, and editing studies. 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 34 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 (a critical essay),
- three letters of recommendation,
- and a statement of purpose
Please allow time so that all of the materials will be available for consideration by
September 15 for spring semester and January 15 for fall semester.
General Requirements
Students with a Literature or Language and Literature
concentration must earn 34 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
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