M.A. in English Literature

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Professor Klause, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-6284, engjlk@hofstra.edu

This program, scheduled in late afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday, requires the completion of 33 credits as outlined below. It is possible, on a limited basis, to elect a tutorial in a subject not available in regular offerings. Candidates will be expected to complete their studies within five years. Applicants must present evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate major in English or receive special permission from the director of the program. They must also have an average grade of B or better for undergraduate courses in English or a satisfactory score on the GRE.

Admission Requirements

Completion of all program requirements.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
Grade of B or better in 24 credits of upper-division English courses in literature.

Applicants who do not meet these academic standards are invited to apply, but they may be asked to complete additional undergraduate course work in English. They may also be asked to submit a) satisfactory scores on the GRE, b) a personal statement explaining the student’s rationale for pursuing advanced literary study, and c) a recent writing sample demonstrating a clear ability to analyze a literary text.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 33

I Required Courses - Semester Hours: 9

3 s.h. in Research Methods
(See footnote *)
3 s.h. in Critical Theory
(See footnote *)
3 s.h. in Shakespeare or Milton

II Distribution Requirements - Semester Hours: 9

(See footnote **)

6 s.h. (or two courses) in pre-1800 British or American Literature
3 s.h. (or one course) in pre-1900 British or American Literature

III Electives - Semester Hours: 15

200-level courses in English and/or American Literature. (Under advisement, certain courses in comparative literature, history or humanities may be accepted. No more than 3 s.h. of courses in Creative Writing may count towards the M.A. in English. Students are encouraged to complete a 3-credit Master’s Essay [ENGL 301], which will count in this category.)

Footnotes

*Research Methods and Critical Theory ought ideally to be completed during a student’s first year in the program.

**One, and only one, of these distribution requirements may be satisfied with a course in American Literature.

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