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.
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