English Literature, M.A.

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Shari Zimmerman, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5464

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.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of an undergraduate major in English baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 or special permission from the director of the program.
Grade of B or better in 24 credits of upper-division English courses in literature.
All applicants must submit an esssay of about 750 words, detailing how their professional and academic background has prepared them to pursue a master’s degree in English literature at Hofstra and describing their purpose in undertaking this study.

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
(See footnote *)

II. Distribution Requirements - Semester Hours: 9**

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.)

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all program requirements.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.

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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