M.A. in English
APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO GRADUATE COLLEGEThe Master of Arts (MA) in English offers a wide range of coursework in literature, cultural studies, rhetoric, and composition, that prepares students for Ph.D. programs, to teach at the secondary or college level, or work in publishing or technical writing.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the MA in English, prospective candidates must meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at applytexas.org.
Program Requirements
English Studies Concentration:
Required Courses – 18
Choose from Literature and Cultural Studies Graduate Courses – 6
Choose from Rhetoric, Composition and Literary Graduate Courses – 6
Choose from Linguistics Graduate Courses – 6
- Students must take one introduction/research methods course from any of the three disciplines within the first 9 hours of graduate study.
- Students must take one theory course from any of the three disciplines within the first 18 hours of graduate study.
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option:
English Elective Coursework – 12
Choose from among the English graduate courses with advisor approval
Capstone Requirement – 6
Thesis
ENGL 7300: Thesis I – 3
ENGL 7301: Thesis II – 3
Non‐Thesis Option:
English Elective Coursework – 18
Choose from among the English graduate courses with advisor approval
Capstone Requirement:
Portfolio
Total graduate hours for degree: 36
Linguistics Concentration:
Thesis Option:
Required Courses – 24
ENGL 6360: Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers – 3
ENGL 6361: Problems in Linguistics – 3
ENGL 6362: Modern English Syntax – 3
ENGL 6363: Studies in English Phonology –3
ENGL 6365: History of the English Language – 3
ENGL 6375: Studies in Language and Culture – 3
Choose from Literature and Cultural Studies Graduate Courses – 3
Choose from Rhetoric, Composition and Literary Graduate Courses – 3
English or Linguistics Coursework – 6
Choose from among the English and Linguistics graduate courses with advisor approval
Capstone Requirement – 6
Thesis
ENGL 7300: Thesis I –3
ENGL 7301: Thesis II – 3
Thesis prospectus oral defense
Total graduate hours for degree: 36
Non‐Thesis Option:
Required Courses – 21
ENGL 6363: Studies in English Phonology – 3
ENGL 6365: History of the English Language –3
ENGL 6375: Studies in Language and Culture – 3
Choose from Literature and Cultural Studies Graduate Courses – 3
Choose from Rhetoric, Composition and Literary Graduate Courses – 3
English or Linguistics Coursework – 9
Choose from among the English and Linguistics graduate courses with advisor approval
Free Electives – 6
Open electives with advisor approval
Capstone Requirement
Portfolio
Total graduate hours for degree: 36
Literature and Cultural Studies Concentration:
Required Courses – 12
ENGL 6300: Introduction to Literary Studies – 3
ENGL 6301: Studies in Literary Theory – 3
Choose from Rhetoric/Composition Graduate Courses – 3
Choose from Linguistics Graduate Courses – 3
History/Period Courses – 6
Choose from the following:
ENGL 6302: Studies in Literary History – 3
ENGL 6304: Studies in British Literature – 3
ENGL 6305: Studies in American Literature – 3
Gender, Ethnic and Cultural Studies – 6
Choose from the following:
ENGL 6308: Studies in Mexican American Literature – 3
ENGL 6309: Studies in Literatures of the Americas – 3
ENGL 6310: Studies in Ethnic Literature – 3
ENGL 6311: Studies in Gender and Literature – 3
ENGL 6315: Studies in Cultural Studies – 3
Transnational Literature – 3
Choose from the following:
ENGL 6306: Studies in Comparative Literature – 3
ENGL 6313: Studies in Post‐Colonial Studies – 3
Genre or Single Author Courses – 3
Chosen from the following:
ENGL 6303: Studies in Genre – 3
ENGL 6312: Studies in Single Author – 3
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option:
Capstone Requirement – 6
Thesis
ENGL 7300: Thesis I – 3
ENGL 7301: Thesis II – 3
Non‐Thesis Option:
Literature/Cultural Studies Electives – 6
Capstone Requirement
Portfolio
Total graduate hours for degree: 36
Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Concentration:
Thesis Option:
Required Courses – 21
ENGL 6320: Introduction to Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
ENGL 6321: Research Methods in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
ENGL 6322: Theory in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
ENGL 6323: History of Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Studies – 3
ENGL 6324: Pedagogy in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
Choose from Literature & Cultural Studies Graduate Courses – 3
Choose from Linguistics Graduate Courses – 3
Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Coursework – 9
Choose from among the Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy graduate courses
Capstone Requirement – 6
Thesis
ENGL 7300: Thesis I – 3
ENGL 7301: Thesis II – 3
Total graduate hours for degree: 36
Non‐Thesis Option:
Required Courses – 18
ENGL 6320: Introduction to Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
ENGL 6322: Theory in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
ENGL 6323: History of Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Studies – 3
ENGL 6324: Pedagogy in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy – 3
Choose from Literature and Cultural Studies Graduate Courses – 3
Choose from Linguistics Graduate Courses – 3
Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Coursework – 12
Choose from among the Rhetoric, Composition & Literacy graduate courses
English Electives – 6
Capstone Requirement
Portfolio
Total graduate hours for degree: 36