The Master of Arts in English at Mason offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills of reading, writing, research and teaching with courses that encompass the wide range of contemporary English studies. Students can work in and across concentrations in literature, professional writing, rhetoric, cultural studies, film, folklore, linguistics, and the teaching of writing and literature. It offers the MA in field-specific concentrations as well as the opportunity to combine a concentration in one field with a certificate from another one. Many students use the MA for professional enhancement, or as an entry into teaching, professional writing, or doctoral study.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MA in English, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Satisfactory Progress

Students have six years to complete the MA. Students writing a thesis must have an approved proposal by the end of their fifth year as an MA candidate in English and may not make significant changes to that proposal during their sixth year. By the end of the first semester of their sixth year, thesis students need to demonstrate that they have completed their research and are well advanced in developing their analysis and argument, generally by submitting to their advisors a completed rough draft of the thesis or evidence that they have completed their fieldwork and analysis. A student may be dropped from the program if, in the judgment of the thesis advisor and graduate director, evidence of satisfactory progress on the thesis has not been provided by the end of the first semester of a student’s sixth year.

Banner Code: LA-MA-ENGL

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 30 credits in one concentration as specified below. 

Students in the concentrations of cultural studies, linguistics, literature, and teaching of writing and literature must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a foreign language in one of the following ways: submitting an undergraduate (or continuing education) transcript that includes courses corresponding to intermediate proficiency; completing a Mason foreign language course numbered 202 or higher; passing a proficiency exam administered by the English department.

Concentration in Cultural Studies (CULT)

Required Courses
ENGH 500Research in English Studies3
ENGH 676Introduction to Cultural Studies3
CULT 802Histories of Cultural Studies3
Two Courses
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Introduction to Literary Theory
Seminar in Global Culture
Seminar in Film and Media Studies
Feminist Theory and Criticism
Selected Topics, Movements, or Genres of Literature in English 1
Literary Theory and Criticism 1
Three to Five Courses of Literature
Select 9-15 credits from the following:9-15
Graduate Literature Survey
Topics in Literary and Cultural Studies
Special Topics in the History and Criticism of Children's Literature
Topics in Folk Narrative
Topics in Folklore Studies
Seminar in British Literature
Seminar in American Literature
Seminar in Advanced Research
Seminar in African-American Literature
Seminar in Global Culture
Seminar in Film and Media Studies
Advanced Topics in Folklore Studies
Selected Topics, Movements, or Genres of Literature in English
Literary Theory and Criticism
Projects in Literary Studies
Optional Project or Thesis
Select 3-6 credits of a project or a thesis from the following:3-6
Project: 2
Projects in Literary Studies (3 credits)
Thesis: 3
Thesis (6 credits)
Total Credits30
1

ENGH 685 Selected Topics, Movements, or Genres of Literature in English, and ENGH 705 Literary Theory and Criticism may be repeated once with permission of the director of graduate studies.

2

Students who choose a project take 3 fewer credits of literature.

3

Students who choose a thesis take 6 fewer credits of literature.

Concentration in Folklore Studies (FLKS)

Core Courses
FOLK 501Advanced Introduction to Folklore and Folklife3
FOLK 510Folklore and Ethnographic Research Methods3
FOLK 601Folklore Theory and History3
Required Courses
FOLK 550Topics in Public and Applied Folklore3
FOLK 560Topics in Genre and Theory3
FOLK 570Topics in Regional Folklore Studies3
Electives
Choose 6 credits from the following. These topics courses can be repeated for credit when topic differs from the topic taken to meet the required course requirement above.6
Topics in Public and Applied Folklore
Topics in Genre and Theory
Topics in Regional Folklore Studies
Courses outside of FOLK when topic is related and with approval of graduate director.
Experiential Learning
FOLK 690Field School for Cultural Documentation3
or FOLK 699 Internship
Capstone
FOLK 790Project3
or FOLK 799 Thesis
Total Credits30

Concentration in Linguistics (LING)

The linguistics concentration combines courses in linguistics with courses in some related area of language study, such as teaching English as a second language, bilingual education, foreign language teaching, or computational linguistics. This course of study is designed to prepare students for teaching in one of these fields or for doctoral work, or employment in the tech industry. The certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) can be earned concurrently.

Foundation Course (Optional)
Choose one of the following if desired:0-3
Linguistic Variation
Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
Methods Course
Choose one of the following:3
Experimental Methods
Statistical Methods in Linguistics
Linguistic Field Methods
Computational and Quantitative Methods in Lingusitics
Core Courses
Choose four of the following courses:12
Phonetics
Phonology A
Phonology B
Morphology
Syntax A
Syntax B
Semantics and Pragmatics 1
Breadth Courses
Choose one of the following:3
First Language Acquisition
Second Language Acquisition 1
Second Language Acquisition 2
Psycholinguistics
Sociolinguistics
Typology
Computational Linguistics I
Computational Linguistics II
Experiential Learning (Optional)
Choose one of the following if desired:0-3
Practicum in TESOL
Laboratory Research Experience
Electives
Choose two - four LING courses not used to fulfill another requirement (except for LING 998 and LING 999), or other approved course. This can include a thesis option. 16-12
Thesis option (minimum of 6 credits)
Directed Reading and Research
Thesis
Total Credits: 30
1

In consultation with an advisor, chosen from courses that reflect one or more areas of language study. Electives can be in such areas as linguistics, the teaching of reading or writing, literary criticism, bilingual education, or a foreign language, and may include 6 credits of thesis.

Concentration in Literature (LIT)

Required Courses 1
ENGH 500Research in English Studies3
ENGH 551Introduction to Literary Theory3
Literature
Select 18 credits from the following: 218
Graduate Literature Survey
Topics in Literary and Cultural Studies
Special Topics in the History and Criticism of Children's Literature
Topics in Folk Narrative
Topics in Folklore Studies
Seminar in British Literature
Seminar in American Literature
Seminar in Advanced Research
Seminar in African-American Literature
Seminar in Global Culture
Seminar in Film and Media Studies
Advanced Topics in Folklore Studies
Selected Topics, Movements, or Genres of Literature in English
Literary Theory and Criticism
Projects in Literary Studies
Two Electives or Thesis6
Select 6 credits of Electives 3
Thesis
Total Credits30
1

Must be taken in the first 12 credits of the degree. Another course in literary theory and criticism may substitute for ENGH 551 Introduction to Literary Theory with prior written approval of the graduate director.

2

Courses fulfilling this requirement must include at least three 600-level ENGH seminars. Graduate seminars involve focused study of a topic with significant attention to scholarship in the field.

3

Electives taught within the English department may be taken without permission of the graduate director. A maximum of six credits of related study outside the department may substitute for the equivalent number of elective credits, with permission of the graduate director.

4

Students who choose a thesis take 6 fewer credits of literature or electives.

Concentration in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW)

Required Courses
ENGH 501Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing 13
ENGH 502Research Methods in Professional and Technical Writing3
ENGH 503Theory and Practice of Editing3
ENGH 505Document Design3
Professional Writing
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Internship
Research for Narrative Writing
Web Authoring and Design
Digital Rhetoric
Proposal Writing and Development
Online Writing
Studies in Rhetoric
Cultures of Professional Writing
Technical Communication
Proseminar in Composition Instruction
Advanced Proposal Writing
Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric
Northern Virginia Writing Project Teacher/Research Seminar
Composition Theory
Theory
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Digital Rhetoric
Introduction to Literary Theory
Studies in Rhetoric
Feminist Theory and Criticism
Introduction to Cultural Studies
Electives in English
Select 0-3 credits of electives in English0-3
Project or Thesis
Select 3-6 credits of a project or thesis3-6
Project: 2
Projects in Professional and Technical Writing (3 credits)
Thesis:
Thesis (6 credits)
Total Credits30
1

ENGH 501 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing should be taken in the first semester of study, if possible.

2

Students who choose a project take one additional elective of 3 credits.

Concentration in the Teaching of Writing and Literature (TWL)

Research Courses
ENGH 500Research in English Studies3
ENGH 602Pedagogical Research3
Teaching Writing
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Proseminar in Composition Instruction
Northern Virginia Writing Project Inservice Program 1
Visiting Writers 2
Teaching Literature
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Proseminar in Teaching the Reading of Literature 3
Northern Virginia Writing Project Inservice Program 1
Composition Theory
ENGH 697Composition Theory3
or ENGH 611 Studies in Rhetoric
Literature Courses
Select 6 credits from courses in the Literature Concentration6
Linguistics Course
Select 3 credits from the following. 43
LING 520
Field Work in Applied Linguistics
Applied Linguistics: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
English Grammar and Pedagogy
Methods of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
LING 581
Electives
6 credits of electives6
Optional Thesis
Select 6 credits of thesis in place of elective requirement.
Thesis (6 credits)
Total Credits30
1

Offered only to full-time teachers through school district contracts.

2

NVWP Summer Institute, open to full-time teachers on an invitation basis. 

3

Open to non-TAs in the spring semester. 

4

Note all courses, with exception of LING 520 , have prerequisites.

Bachelor's Degree (any)/English, Accelerated MA (Folklore Studies Concentration)

Overview

Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in their chosen major and an MA in English with a concentration in folklore studies in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Polices and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see the department's website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits and a minimum overall GPA of 3.50 or above.

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.50
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each)

  • FOLK 501 Advanced Introduction to Folklore and Folklife
  • FOLK 510 Folklore and Ethnographic Research Methods
  • FOLK 550 Topics in Public and Applied Folklore
  • FOLK 560 Topics in Genre and Theory
  • FOLK 570 Topics in Regional Folklore Studies
  • FOLK 601 Folklore Theory and History
  • FOLK 690 Field School for Cultural Documentation

Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program

  • FOLK 501 Advanced Introduction to Folklore and Folklife
  • FOLK 510 Folklore and Ethnographic Research Methods
  • FOLK 550 Topics in Public and Applied Folklore
  • FOLK 560 Topics in Genre and Theory
  • FOLK 570 Topics in Regional Folklore Studies
  • FOLK 601 Folklore Theory and History
  • FOLK 690 Field School for Cultural Documentation

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

Bachelor's Degree (any)/English, Accelerated MA (Linguistics Concentration)

Overview

Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in English with a concentration in linguistics in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Polices and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • Completion of LING 300 Linguistic Variation or LING 306 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Mason Core) and one other upper-division LING course.
  • Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)

Students who have already taken the undergraduate equivalents of these courses, before entering the BAM program, can substitute other graduate-level LING courses, as needed, with the approval of the academic advisor.

LING 514 Experimental Methods
LING 515 Statistical Methods in Linguistics
LING 516 Linguistic Field Methods
LING 517 Computational and Quantitative Methods in Lingusitics
LING 531 Phonetics
LING 532 Phonology A
LING 533 Phonology B
LING 535 Morphology
LING 536 Syntax A
LING 537 Syntax B
LING 538 Semantics and Pragmatics 1
LING 542 Second Language Acquisition 1
LING 641 First Language Acquisition
LING 643 Psycholinguistics
LING 651 Sociolinguistics
LING 653 Typology
LING 671 Computational Linguistics I
 

Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program

500- or 600-level LING courses

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

Program Outcomes

  • expand knowledge and skills by joining and participating in a diverse community of teachers, writers, and scholars
  • strengthen and develop writing skills
  • become more experienced at working collaboratively
  • develop arguments through research methods defined by specific disciplines of English studies
  • evaluate and produce theoretical positions as defined by specific disciplines of English studies
  • develop as professionals and/or gain knowledge of what it means to be a professional in one or more particular fields of English studies
  • work on projects that make meaningful contributions to communities and/or contexts outside of the classroom