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English, M.A.

What *Can’t* You Do With an M.A. in English?
  • 109

    Among Public National Universities, U.S. News & World Report

  • 32nd

    UNCW Ranked 32nd Best Public College Value by Kiplinger’s

Our alumni find employment as:

Prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. (Source)

Work closely with the marketing or public relations team to create press releases, develop media campaigns and advise executives on their speech during interviews and related public appearances. (Source)

Plan and organize project budgets, timelines, scope of work and more.

Teach students beyond the high school level, conduct research and publish materials related to the field of study.

program completion feature
program completion feature

Learn To

Experience advanced research and educational opportunities in English studies

Specialize in historical and contemporary critical approaches to literature, language and literacy, rhetoric and composition, cultural studies, pedagogy, and professional, technical, and medical writing

Prepare for further graduate work leading to the Ph.D.

“ The M.A. in English program allowed me to discover how enriching, rewarding and fascinating academic research can truly be. ”
Jeff Bruinsma
English, M.A. Program Overview

Broad Foundation for Success

The graduate program in English allows you to pursue a wide variety of coursework in literature, rhetoric, professional writing, science and medical writing, pedagogy, and cultural studies, among other topics, taught by faculty who are active researchers in their fields.

Graduate students work in a collaborative environment, supported by our faculty and by members of their cohort.

Plenty of Options

Our program offers an exciting array of internships and independent study possibilities as well as thesis and non-thesis options.

Students in the M.A. program can elect to earn a concentration in science and medical writing as part of their degree.

Students may pursue their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students typically complete the degree in four semesters.

We offer both fall and spring admission so students may begin the program as soon as possible. Many courses are offered in the evening and meet one night a week; others are online.

All courses are capped at 15 students.

Essential Skills

Employers often emphasize the need for employees who are skilled in oral and written communication and who can collaborate well with others. Graduates with an M.A. in English from UNCW have these essential skills.

Our students go on to find work as editors, journalists, technical writers, lawyers, community college instructors, and much more. We also help many of our students prepare for further study at the Ph.D. level.

Sample Courses in English

  • Migrations and Home
  • Victorian Scandal
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Grant and Proposal Writing
  • Science Writing for Cross-Cultural and Global Audiences
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply to the Program?

For admission to the graduate program in English, applicants must have/do the following:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent from a foreign university.
  • Have a strong overall academic record with a B average or better in the undergraduate major.
  • Submit a personal statement explaining why attending graduate school in English would help you to achieve your professional goals.
  • Submit a writing sample of 10 pages that involves a critical analysis of a text or texts and is accompanied by a bibliography citing appropriate secondary sources in correct MLA format.

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: M.A. English

Apply Now

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Spring 2024:
    • November 1, 2023
  • Summer I 2024:
    • April 15, 2024
      Limited summer courses available. Contact the program coordinator prior to application submission.
  • Summer II 2024:
    • May 15, 2024
      Limited summer courses available. Contact the program coordinator prior to application submission.
  • Fall 2024:
    • Priority Consideration: March 15, 2024
      Applications must be considered complete by priority consideration deadline to be considered for a teaching assistantship.
    • Space Available Deadline: July 1, 2024

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • 3 academic recommendations to be submitted through the online application

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
  2. Essay: A statement of interest that addresses the applicant’s purpose for academic study, focusing on any relevant academic endeavors as well as how attending graduate school will help the applicant achieve their professional goals. The essay should be no longer than 1-2 pages (approximately 500-600 words).
  3. Writing Sample: A ten-page analytical writing sample that includes a bibliography citing secondary sources in MLA format.
  4. Note:  Applicants who are not undergraduate English majors must have completed 12 hours of upper level English courses or have this requirement waived by the graduate coordinator.

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