Master of Arts - English

The Master of Arts in English at Washington State University (WSU) offers two emphases. 

Master of Arts in English: Literature Emphasis

This broad program provides a solid foundation for more specialized doctoral study in English or American literature, American studies, comparative literature, or postcolonial anglophone literatures, as well as for professional training in such areas as law, information technology, divinity, journalism, and business. Students pursuing an M.A. in literature may choose either to write a thesis or to prepare a final portfolio.

Master of Arts in English: Rhetoric and Composition Emphasis

This program allows students to specialize in the theory and pedagogy of composition. The degree is designed to prepare candidates for teaching positions at the college level or for doctoral programs with a specialization in composition and rhetoric. Language proficiency requirements are based on the candidate’s expected needs and may be met by linguistics or other language studies. Candidates in this degree option must fulfill the following requirements.

Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of contemporary English Studies and its various sub-disciplines.
• Demonstrate substantial knowledge of more specialized areas within English Studies, accompanied by the ability to locate and synthesize scholarship in such.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct original research in such sub-disciplines as literary studies, rhetorical theory, composition studies, digital technology, second-language learning, etc.
• Demonstrate the ability to present original research findings to appropriate academic audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to write scholarly essays or to create texts of other kinds which articulate new claims and present the results of original research and thinking.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach a range of courses in English Studies, including, for example, Freshman Composition, Writing Research Papers, introductory courses in literary or rhetorical study, etc.