Master of Arts in English

Coordinator:
Kevin T. Grimm
519 O’Dowd Hall
(248) 370-2257
grimm@oakland.edu

Program description

The program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in English provides training for students interested in increasing their proficiency in the study of English and American literature and language.

The basic curriculum emphasizes major critical approaches rather than specialization within historical periods. Opportunity is offered for scholarly, pedagogical and creative application of such approaches to literature and language. The program serves the needs of those whose eventual goal is the Ph.D. degree; those who teach in secondary schools and those who are preparing to teach in junior and community colleges; and those seeking an opportunity to enhance their analytical skills as they study literature from multiple perspectives.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.

• November 1, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
• May 1, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
• November 1, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
• May 1, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.

Special Graduate classification:  The Department of English does not accept special graduates to their program.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study         
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation  must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

• An English major, as such, is not regarded as indispensable background, but a substantial number of undergraduate English courses will normally be expected to appear in the applicant’s record.
• Generally, successful candidates will have earned a 3.5 average in English courses.
• Applicants with specially recommended ability but insufficient background – in extent or balance of previous studies – will be advised to improve their preparation and will usually be asked to take an appropriate number of departmental undergraduate courses. Undergraduate prerequisite course deficiencies in these areas must complete the preparatory course work before being eligible for admission to the graduate program. Accordingly, their degree programs may require a proportionately longer period to complete.
• In addition to the two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms, listed under the University graduate application requirements above, the department requires applicants to submit a third Recommendation for Graduate Admission form. All three forms must be from an academic instructor that can speak to the applicant’s academic record and potential in literary studies.
• Personal statement describing reasons for wishing to pursue the advanced study of literature and language
• Writing sample, a critical or interpretive essay, of no more than eight double-spaced, typed pages, which demonstrates the candidate’s qualification for graduate study in literature.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department. All students admitted to the Master of Arts in English degree program enter on a provisional basis.

Enrollment for all courses is subject to the written approval of the chairperson or a graduate adviser.