English - Master of Arts
New Mexico State University offers MA programs in four areas of emphasis; each one requires 33 hours of graduate-level work.
Emphasis: Creative Writing
Students electing this emphasis:
- complete 33 hours of graduate-level course work including creative writing and literature;
- submit a creative writing portfolio (totaling 20-50 pages), depending on genre choices, that includes original creative work in more than one genre and either an essay describing the writer's personal poetics or a critical piece of writing relevant to the portfolio; and
- pass an oral examination.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework 1 | ||
| Workshop courses in at least two genres | 12 | |
| Graduate form and technique courses | 6 | |
| Graduate literature courses in the Department of English | 9 | |
| Elective courses | 6 | |
| In the final term, take one of the following: | ||
| Workshop: Advanced Writing Prose | 3 | |
| Workshop: Advanced Writing Poetry | 3 | |
| Workshop: Advanced Writing Playwriting | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
Graduate assistants must take 3 hours of ENGL 571 Composition Pedagogy and Practicum, during their first semester of teaching.
Emphasis: English Studies for Teachers
Students take 33 hours of graduate coursework, including core courses in creative writing, film, literature and rhetoric and professional communication, as well as additional courses in an area of specialization approved by an advisor. Students in the program develop individualized plans of study in consultation with an advisor. They conclude their program by developing a master’s portfolio or other approved capstone project and passing an oral examination. This portfolio may provide material for public schools' Professional Development Dossier. With advisor approval, students may take up to two related courses (six credit hours) in other departments, such as Communication Studies, Education, Journalism, and Theatre, and may also develop an alternative capstone experience and enroll for appropriate credits (such as independent study).
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| Core class in Composition, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Core class in Creative Writing | 3 | |
| Core class in Literature | 3 | |
| Core class in Film | 3 | |
| Courses in core area of specialization | 18-21 | |
| Courses typically meeting capstone requirement: | 3-6 | |
| Workshop: Advanced Technical and Professional Writing | 3 | |
Or Portfolio | ||
| Total Credits | 33-39 | |
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 | ||
| Graduate course in critical theory | 3 | |
| Literature courses, including "early" and "late" periods, English and American | 18 | |
| 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 | ||
| Methods Course | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Empirical Research | 3 | |
| Qualitative Research | 3 | |
| Digital Research Methods | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3-6 | |
Advisor-approved electives in English and/or related fields | ||
| Internship in Technical and Professional Communication | 3-6 | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| Select one from the following: 2 | 3-6 | |
| Advanced Writing Workshop: RPC Capstone | 3 | |
| Master's Essay | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis 1 | 6 | |
| Core Courses | ||
| Select two core courses from area of specialization. | 6 | |
| Select two core courses from any of the other three core areas: | 6 | |
| Core Composition Courses | ||
| History and Theory of Composition Studies | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Approaches to Composition 3 | 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 | |
| Graduate Study in Writing in the Workplace | 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 | |
| Specialized Courses | ||
| Select four additional courses in area of specialization determined in consultation with an advisor. 4 | 12 | |
| Composition Courses | ||
| Graduate Study in Writing | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Literacy | 3 | |
| Topics in Writing Program Administration | 3 | |
| Critical/Cultural Studies Courses | ||
| Graduate Study in Writing | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Literacy | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Rhetoric of Scientific Literature | 3 | |
| Master's Seminar in Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Courses | ||
| Document Design | 3 | |
| Web Design and Development | 3 | |
| User Experience and Assistance | 3 | |
| Technical Editing | 3 | |
| Multimedia Theory and Production | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Writing | 3 | |
| Proposal and Grant Writing | 3 | |
| Intercultural Rhetoric and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Workshop: Advanced Technical and Professional Writing | 3 | |
| Topics in Rhetoric and Technology | 3 | |
| Rhetoric Courses | ||
| Graduate Study in Writing | 3 | |
| Graduate Study in Rhetoric of Scientific Literature | 3 | |
| Master's Seminar in Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 33-39 | |
- 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
Students are encouraged to take ENGL 510 Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication, early in their time as a graduate student. This course is appropriate for all areas of specialization. Appropriate courses for each specialization are suggested, though the lists are not inclusive of all options (for example, students may take additional core courses as part of their specialization).
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 |