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Resources for Graduate Students in English

• Contact Information for the Director of Graduate Studies
• Important Dates
• Procedures Governing the M.A. ProgramGraduate School Website

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    • Print Graduate Application
      • Graduate Assistantship Application Checklist
      Letter of Recommendation Form

M.A. in English

 

M.A. and M.S. graduates of American universities credit their post-graduate study with:

• sharpening their ability to link theory and practice;

• refining their analytical and communication skills;

• broadening their perspective of their field.

Additionally, employers regard master's degree holders as "far more competent and confident" than employees who hold only bachelor's degrees.

Eastern Illinois University's M.A. program in English provides students valuable opportunities:

• to improve their abilities to think critically and communicate effectively;

• to broaden their knowledge and deepen their understanding of literature and language;

• to prepare for further graduate or professional education;

• to enhance their credentials for careers in teaching, writing and editing, government, or business.

Graduate Curriculum

Please see the official description of the M.A. in English on the Graduate School's website.Checklist for the program's concentrations can be found below:

• Checklist for Graduate Students in Literary Studies
• Checklist for Graduate Students in Literary Studies with Creative Writing Emphasis
• Checklist for Graduate Students in Composition/Rhetoric
• Checklist for Graduate Students in Professional Writing

 

Graduate Faculty

All members of Eastern's graduate faculty in English hold Ph.D. degrees from major U.S. universities. The wide variety of research interests and creative talents represented on the faculty makes it possible for graduate students to carry out supervised research and write theses in an impressive number of literary and critical fields.

As well as being active scholars and writers with numerous books and other publications to their credit, graduate faculty members are also committed teachers who work closely with students and are readily available for consultation and discussion.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships available through the English Department are awarded on a competitive basis. As of September 2010, stipends were $860 per month; tuition (though not fees) is waived for graduate assistants. In addition to financial aid, graduate assistantships provide valuable training and experience. Assistants tutor in the University’s Writing Center, assist with Writing across the Curriculum, and/or serve as editorial or research assistants. Assistants who complete the required sequence of training in composition pedagogy may apply to teach first-year writing courses.

Applications for graduate assistantship appointments effective the following academic year should be complete by early March. (Please refer to the calendar of important dates for additional details.) Applicants for graduate assistantships are required to complete the graduate assistantship application available at the Graduate School website. At least one week before the due date in March, a complete application for admission must be on file in the Graduate School (application form, official transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores). The Graduate School will forward these materials to the department’s graduate coordinator. By the due date, the applicant should also have sent these supporting documents directly to the graduate coordinator: personal statement, CV or resume, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. GA applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

English Department Graduate Assistantship Application Checklist

Letter of Recommendation Form

 

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to degree candidacy include:

• a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university;

• a minimum gradepoint average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale;

• a documented score on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.

Application Procedures

Applications for admission should be sent directly to the Graduate School, accompanied by a check or money order to cover the application fee. Official transcripts and GRE test reports should also be sent to the Graduate School (copies may be sent to the Department to support assistantship application). The application form and catalog are available online:
EIU Graduate School Application
EIU Graduate Catalog

 

Further information on Graduate Studies in the English Department and on graduate assistantships is available from the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Ruth Hoberman.