English - Master of Arts
New Mexico State University offers MA programs in two areas of emphasis; each one requires 33 hours of graduate-level work.
Emphasis: Literature
Students electing this emphasis can choose to work in various areas of literature, criticism and film. Students are required to
- complete 33 hours of coursework while satisfying area requirements (in early and modern literatures, in British and American Literatures, and in critical theory) with advisor-approved courses;
- demonstrate competency in a foreign language;
- deliver a public presentation on their research;
- write a master essay or thesis; and
- complete their program by passing an oral examination.
See advisor for list of courses satisfying theory and distribution requirements.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework 1 | ||
| Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Advisors may approve another Literature course to fulfill this requirement as appropriate, based on subtitle | ||
| Graduate Study in Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Literature and Theory | 3 | |
| Literature | 18 | |
| Must include both early and late periods, and both British and American Literature. Courses listed below under each category automatically fulfill that requirement. Advisors may approve other Literature courses to fit each requirement based on subtitle. | ||
| Early | ||
| Chaucer | 3 | |
| Shakespeare I | 3 | |
| Shakespeare II | 3 | |
| Victorian Literature | 3 | |
| Late | ||
| Modern and Contemporary American Poetry | 3 | |
| Modern British Fiction | 3 | |
| Postmodern Fiction | 3 | |
| Latino/a Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| British | ||
| Graduate Study in Chaucer | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Shakespeare I | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Shakespeare II | 3 | |
| Victorian Literature | 3 | |
| Modern British Fiction | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in English Literature | 3 | |
| American | ||
| Modern and Contemporary American Poetry | 3 | |
| Latino/a Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Graduate in American Literature | 3 | |
| Literature courses to complete the 18 credits | ||
| Graduate Study in Chaucer | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Shakespeare I | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Shakespeare II | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in a Literary Period or Movement | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in a Literary Form or Genre | 3 | |
| Graduate Study of a Major Author | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in a Major Text | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Comparative Literature | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Film and Digital Media | 3 | |
| Victorian Literature | 3 | |
| Modern and Contemporary American Poetry | 3 | |
| Modern British Fiction | 3 | |
| Postmodern Fiction | 3 | |
| World Literatures | 3 | |
| Latino/a Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in English Literature | 3 | |
| Documentary Film Theory and Criticism | 3 | |
| Graduate in American Literature | 3 | |
| Women's Literature | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Literature and Theory | 3 | |
| Elective courses in English Department | 9-12 | |
| Master's Thesis or Master Essay | ||
| ENGL 599 | Master's Thesis 2 | 3-6 |
| or ENGL 598 | Master's Essay | |
| Total Credits | 33-39 | |
- 1
Graduate assistants must take 3 hours of ENGL 571 Composition Pedagogy and Practicum, during their first semester of teaching.
- 2
Students must take 6 credits of ENGL 599 Master's Thesis to complete this requirement.
Emphasis: Rhetoric and Professional Communication
Students electing this emphasis take core courses across a wide range of topics within rhetoric and professional communication and choose from one of four areas of specialization:
- Composition,
- Critical/Cultural Studies,
- Rhetoric and
- Professional and Technical Communication.
Students conclude their program by writing a thesis, composing a portfolio of work completed in the program, or writing a master essay and by passing an oral examination. Students develop individualized plans of study in consultation with an advisor.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| Proseminar | 3 | |
| Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Methods Course | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Empirical Research | 3 | |
| Qualitative Research | 3 | |
| Digital Research Methods | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
Advisor-approved elective in English and/or related field | ||
| Internship | 3 | |
Note: with advisor approval, student may substitute an elective for the Internship course | ||
| Internship in Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Capstone Course | 3-6 | |
Select one from the following: 2 | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop: RPC Capstone | 3 | |
| Master's Essay | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis 1 | 6 | |
| Core Courses | 12 | |
Select two core courses from area of specialization. | ||
Select two core courses from any of the other three core areas | ||
| Core Composition Courses | ||
| Graduate Study in Literacy | 3 | |
| History and Theory of Composition Studies | 3 | |
| Composition Pedagogy and Practicum 3 | 3 | |
| Critical Writing Studies | 3 | |
| Core Critical/Cultural Studies Courses | ||
| Graduate Study in Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Rhetoric and Cultural Studies | 3 | |
| Critical Writing Studies | 3 | |
| Core Professional and Technical Communication Courses | ||
| Critical Conversations in Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Multimedia Theory and Production | 3 | |
| Technical-Professional Communication Pedagogies | 3 | |
| Core Rhetoric Courses | ||
| History of Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Modern Rhetorical Theory | 3 | |
| Rhetoric and Cultural Studies | 3 | |
| Master's Seminar in Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Specialized Courses | 9 | |
Select three additional courses in area of specialization determined in consultation with an advisor. 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 39-42 | |
- 1
Students must take 6 credits of ENGL 599 Master's Thesis to complete this requirement. ENGL 599 Master's Thesis: in lieu of portfolio or master essay.
- 2
Graduate assistants must take 3 hours of ENGL 571 Composition Pedagogy and Practicum, during their first semester of teaching.
- 3
Students may take either ENGL 570 Graduate Study in Approaches to Composition or ENGL 571 Composition Pedagogy and Practicum as a core course. Taking a second course will count under the area of specialization.
- 4
Specialization may occur in any of the four core areas; students choose appropriate coursework for their area of specialization in consultation with an advisor.
Master's Accelerated Program in English with an Emphasis in Literature
The Master’s Accelerated Program is an opportunity for qualified, advanced undergraduate students to begin graduate study while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students accepted into the program will be able to take up to 12 credits that can be applied to a Master’s degree in English at New Mexico State University (just over one third of the required credits to obtain a graduate degree in English at NMSU).
Student Qualifications
Potential MAP students must meet the minimum qualifications for the program as outlined in the Graduate School policy concerning MAP programs.
In addition to these qualifications, students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for application to the MAP program.
- Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must apply to the program with sufficient time to take the 12 credit hours that will be applied toward the overall program of study. Students will not be able to retroactively apply credits to MAP program.
- Must participate in the Developing New Scholars Program (DSNP), offered by the Graduate School and Honor's College.
- Consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies on courses eligible and complete the Graduate School MAP form.
- Meet with their financial aid advisor, if they receive financial aid, as financial aid awards may have to be adjusted based on course registration.
- Completed 60 credits, including at least one (1) 400-level literature class and one (1) of the following courses ENGL 301 Theory and Criticism: Rhetoric and Culture, ENGL 302 Theory and Criticism: Literature and Culture, ENGL 303 Theory and Criticism: Film, Media and Culture, or ENGL 310 Critical Writing.
Applying for the MAP
To apply for the MAP fill out the the English Application to the Master's Accelerated Program and a scholarly writing sample (a course paper that showcases your skills in literary analysis). Send these materials to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Tyson Stolte, at tmstolte@nmsu.edu. Applicants will also need to fill out the Graduate School's MAP form.
Approved MAP Courses:
The courses below can count toward the 12 credits toward an MA degree available to MAP students.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 453 | World Literatures | 3 |
| ENGL 469 | Advanced Study in American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 505 | Graduate Study in Chaucer | 3 |
| ENGL 508 | Graduate Study in Shakespeare I | 3 |
| ENGL 509 | Graduate Study in Shakespeare II | 3 |
| ENGL 533 | Victorian Literature | 3 |