English, M.A.

English

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English, M.A.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English is offered through the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU. Its curriculum allows students to explore standard areas of Literary and Cultural Studies, as well as topics related to Writing Studies and Popular Culture. The courses are designed as seminars and graduate students may expect highly individualized mentoring from the graduate faculty.

Graduate study in English engages in the deep and intense study of literature and writing, language, and theory, undertaken for the special growth in knowledge and understanding of the world of human expressions and experiences that such studies bring. It also provides preparation and training for careers within and outside of the academy. Students who attain degrees in this program enrich each other through their diversity of experiences and perspectives and take the cultural and intellectual wealth of their interactions and knowledge into their communities with them as they integrate their lives beyond the seminar room.

Pursue the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in English at MTSU with a nationally and internationally recognized faculty teaching diverse courses in literature, writing, film, and various expressions of language and culture. Students are encouraged to think and create freely within a structure that provides support from peers, guidance from faculty, resources for research, challenging goals, and rigorous standards. The relatively small size of graduate seminars allows for encouraging individualized attention. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. Assistantships are available, as well as awards and fellowships.

Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information
Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information

News Briefs

Sarah Hicks, Middle Tennessee State University English graduate student, right, recently wrapped up a summer internship at the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., working with the CEO Tara MacDougall, left, and others as the first student in the English graduate program to take advantage of its new internship experience course. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Barrette)

English grad student interns at Discovery Center thanks to new course [+VIDEO] 

Graduate student Sarah Hicks is not the typical English graduate program student. She returned to school after working four years as an English as a second language, or ESL, teacher but not to further her classroom career. She wants to pursue a niche career as a show writer or narrative and experience designer.  “I want to create stories that [ Read More ]

News Briefs

Sarah Hicks, Middle Tennessee State University English graduate student, right, recently wrapped up a summer internship at the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., working with the CEO Tara MacDougall, left, and others as the first student in the English graduate program to take advantage of its new internship experience course. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Barrette)

English grad student interns at Discovery Center thanks to new course [+VIDEO] 

Graduate student Sarah Hicks is not the typical English graduate program student. She returned to school after working four years as an English as a second language, or ESL, teacher but not to further her classroom career. She wants to pursue a niche career as a show writer or narrative and experience designer.  “I want to create stories that [ Read More ]

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CAREERS

English, M.A.


English M.A. Careers

The M.A. program in English enjoys a highly successful placement record for its graduates. Some potential professional careers include:

  • academic/university staff
  • academic or career advisor
  • advertising/public relations executive
  • brand strategist 
  • communications officer 
  • community college professor
  • content manager
  • copywriter  
  • creative writer
  • director/support staff for non-profit organizations
  • editor
  • human resources generalist 
  • instructional designer
  • internal communications executive 
  • lawyer (after law school)
  • librarian
  • manager
  • marketing associate 
  • playwright
  • poet
  • professional/technical writer
  • public servant
  • publisher
  • reporter
  • researcher
  • reviewer
  • school administrator
  • search engine optimization (SEO) specialist 
  • show writer
  • social media manager 
  • software developer
  • teacher
  • translator 
  • writing coach

Master’s graduates have gone on to study for doctorate degrees at a number of institutions including:

  • Boston College
  • University of California at Santa Barbara
  • Duquesne University
  • Emory University
  • Florida Atlantic University 
  • Florida State University
  • Georgia State University
  • University of Houston
  • Indiana University Bloomington 
  • Kent State University
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Memphis
  • Michigan State University
  • North Carolina State University   
  • Southern Illinois University
  • State University of New York, Albany
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Texas Tech University
  • West Virginia University

Employers of MTSU alumni include

  • Accurate Healthcare Professionals 
  • University of Alabama, Huntsville 
  • Alabama State University
  • Appalachian State University
  • Auburn University 
  • C. S. Lewis Foundation (Oxford, England)
  • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 
  • University of the Cumberlands
  • Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 
  • Ingram Books
  • Ingram Content Group
  • Judson College
  • Kennesaw State University
  • Lipscomb University
  • Madisonville Community College 
  • Metro-Nashville Public Schools
  • Michigan State University
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • University of Mississippi 
  • University of Montana
  • Motlow State Community College
  • University of North Alabama
  • Northern Virginia Community College 
  • Northrop Gurmman 
  • Oaklands High School 
  • Premier Industrial Solutions 
  • Riverdale High School 
  • Rust College 
  • Rutherford County Schools
  • Savannah State University
  • Smyrna High School 
  • Southern Adventist University 
  • Stonebridge Wealth Management 
  • Tennessee State University
  • Tennessee Tech
  • Volunteer State Community College
  • Watkins College of Art and Design
  • West Virginia University 
  • Western Kentucky University
MTSU Career Development Center

MTSU’s Career Development Center

MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.  

Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career

Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake

Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides. 

REQUIREMENTS

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FACULTY

INFORMATION

Admission Process for Graduate Program in English:

You may apply on-line or by filling out and sending in an application (found in the back of the graduate catalog). A $35 application fee is due at the time of application. In order to complete your application, you will need to see that the following materials are sent to the College of Graduate Studies, Sam H. Ingram Building, MTSU Box 42, Murfreesboro,TN 37132:

  • All undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation (These can be emailed to [email protected])
  • GRE scores (We look primarily at the Verbal and Analytical portions of the General exam; the English subject test, though not required, is recommended.)
  • A short statement of purpose (500 words or so) in which you present your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in English (your professional plans, areas of interest, etc.) as well as any relevant experience that prepares you for graduate studies.

APPLICATION DEADLINES for fall semester admission:

February 1st for those wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships

March 1st for all others

APPLICATION DEADLINES for spring semester admission must be completed by October 1.

For more information, visit the English Department section of the Graduate CatalogGraduate English Student Resources, and Admissions to the College of Graduate Studies.

Assistantships

If you would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship, in addition to the material required for the general application, you will need to fill out an application for an assistantship and send it to the Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department (P.O. Box 70, Department of English, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132) along with a short statement of purpose (500 words or so) in which you present your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in English (your professional plans, areas of interest, etc.) as well as any relevant experience that prepares you for graduate studies.

M.A.-level graduate assistants:
Until students have completed 18 hours of course work, they are generally assigned as tutors in the Writing Center for 20 hours a week. Some students may be given 20-hour assignments to work as a classroom assistant for particular professors. Once students have completed 18 hours of course work, they may serve as teaching assistants, under the guidance of our supervisor of teaching assistants. During their first year in the program, they are required to enroll in Seminar in Teaching Composition (ENGL 6821/7821).

Our M.A. assistants receive a stipend of $6500 distributed over a nine-month period with a waiver of tuition fees and out-of-state fees if the GA is a non-resident.

For more information, visit the MTSU Graduate College site.

Awards

In addition to providing full tuition to graduate assistants, MTSU rewards excellence by offering the Albert and Ethel Carver Smith Award ($2,000). The English Department offers the following awards to qualified graduate students:

  • The Peck Award
  • The Neil D. Frazier Writing Award
  • The William R. Wolfe Graduate Writing Award
  • The John McDaniel Excellence in Teaching Awards
  • The Kevin J. Donovan Graduate Award for Excellence in Scholarship

Other Resources

Please visit the department's grad student resources page for more information.

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