MASTER OF ARTS

Our program encompasses both traditional areas of and approaches to English Studies and a reexamination of those definitions and approaches. It offers a flexible program of study with three areas of concentration, literature, composition, and creative writing. Common concerns about critical reading, writing, and the nature of texts are explored in courses in both concentrations, and students generally create an integrated program of study that includes some courses from two or three areas.

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and are pursuing a broad range of goals. Some are recent college graduates; others have been out of school for a number of years. Some have been residing in the Boston area; others have applied from undergraduate colleges around the country or have come as foreign exchange students. Some are pursuing Ph.D.s, others personal enrichment, and still others the enhancement of their educational qualifications for positions they currently hold. Some are teachers or are planning to teach at the secondary or community college level. Some are developing their skills and talents as professional or creative writers. They share a background of accomplishment and a desire to pursue further study in the areas of writing, language, and literature traditionally encompassed by English Studies.

As faculty we, likewise, bring a variety of interests and areas of expertise to our teaching in the program, focusing our study and teaching on literature, on composition, on creative writing, and/or on pedagogy. We draw on a range of critical perspectives, frequently reexamining those perspectives in the light of current scholarship. All of the graduate faculty have significant records of publication and are actively pursuing research interests related to the courses we teach.

We aim to create a community of critical/critical readers and writers, and almost all of our courses are taught as small seminars with approximately 15 participants. The seminars offer students the opportunity for ongoing interaction and participation with each other and with faculty, in a challenging yet friendly academic environment. Though seminars form the core of the program, we also offer opportunities for independent reading, guided research and collaborative teaching.

The Program Offers

• Your choice of three concentrations: literature, composition, or creative writing.
• A nationally recognized faculty with a strong record in research and teaching.
• Small seminar classes with a focus on intensive discussion.
• Class schedules that can accommodate day-time jobs.
• A diverse student body that includes writers, readers, and educators.
• Graduates who go on to top-ranked Ph.D. and M.F.A. programs.
• Opportunities for financial assistance and employment