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Department of Language and Literature - English Program Description


English
Program Description


About our program
The Masters of Arts (M.A.) program in English is carefully designed to broaden and deepen your knowledge of literature and language, refine your analytical and critical thinking skills, polish your writing to professional standards, and vastly improve your career options. The English faculty strongly believes that the study of English literature, language and writing can be both intellectually fulfilling and highly practical. Our program emphasizes applications of theory to enhance both teaching and research.

For the M.A. in English, you can choose between the ‘Thesis Plan’ and the ‘Non-Thesis Plan’, which requires you to complete 30 or 36 credit hours, respectively. There are only two required courses, one in Research and Criticism and the other in Language Studies. Otherwise, you are invited to choose six or seven courses from an offering of over 35 courses, ranging in topics such as major authors, comparative linguistics, as well as current issues in teaching English.

Our program offers you a customized plan of studies that focuses on the various genres of literature and an opportunity to teach English Language Learners with a variety of skill levels. Classes are small, allowing you to receive individual attention, and graduate professors are strong and positive mentors, who will guide you throughout your coursework and beyond.

Why you should come here
Texas A&M International University offers you a distinctive environment for graduate work in English and valuable, practical experience teaching native and near-native speakers of English. The Department of Language and Literature sponsors an attractive slate of activities in which you can take an active role. The English honor society, which actively promotes literacy throughout the Laredo community, welcomes graduate student participation. Similarly, the literary magazine ‘Reflections’ offers students publication opportunities. We also have a Writing Center that offers tutorial services to the entire campus, as well as job opportunities for graduate students.

About our faculty
Our full time faculty members have doctorates in all specialty areas of English, such as Old and Middle English, British and American Literature, Film, Creative Writing, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, and Linguistics. They are nationally and internationally recognized and have active research agendas. Moreover, they are committed to providing the highest standards in the classroom and to preparing future scholars, teachers and practitioners.

Graduate assistantships
A limited number of merit-based graduate assistantships are available each year to students interested in working with faculty or administration in the Department of Language and Literature.

Careers
Besides becoming writers, teachers, or journalists, many English graduates go on to become lawyers and executives. Among law and medical schools, as well as employers, English graduates are known for their superior communication skills, analytical and critical thinking, and capacity for continuous learning and growth in a profession. Additionally, with AP high school English courses in high demand, the M.A. in English is becoming a necessity for secondary school English teachers. Similarly, an M.A. in English is a minimum requirement for teaching college-level English and for entering a Ph.D. program in English. With the Articulation Agreement with Texas A&M University in College Station, the English M.A. becomes a crucial stepping stone for you if you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. Our ‘Thesis Plan’ provides you not only with a strong foundation in English literature, language and culture, but also prepares you with the research and writing skills expected at the doctoral level. Upon acceptance into the English Ph.D. Program at College Station, you may begin your doctoral degree here at Texas A&M International University by taking up to 18 graduate credit hours beyond the M.A. degree. These credits will be transferable to Texas A&M University in College Station where you will finish your doctoral degree.