► Graduate School Rules apply to this program
The department offers three programs in the English MA degree: 1) the literature program increases students’ knowledge of English and American literature and also their familiarity with a variety of critical methodologies; 2) the teaching of writing program introduces students to the theory, research and pedagogy underlying contemporary instruction in secondary and college composition; 3) the applied linguistics program introduces students to the principles, practices and concerns of teaching English to adults whose first language is not English.
Students concurrently pursuing a master’s in education can count up to 6 hours of education courses toward their MA in English with their English advisor’s permission.
Contact the graduate director for more information on these programs.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants for any of the programs described above must submit all application materials by either the spring, summer or fall deadline. The deadline for fall enrollment is April 1; the deadline for spring and summer enrollment is October 1. Complete applications for all three programs must include the following:
- a completed University of Colorado graduate application
- two copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and for any nondegree courses previously taken
- three letters of recommendation in which the recommender specifically addresses the candidate’s ability to pursue successfully the program chosen
- recent scores on the GRE, including the analytical, verbal and quantitative portions. GRE score average should be 600 or higher. Analytical writing score should be 4 or higher.
- evidence of a 3.0 GPA in previous courses
- a letter of application, in which the applicant carefully describes reasons and motivation for pursuing the program chosen, and career aspirations upon completing the degree
- 10-page critical writing sample
In addition to these requirements, applicants for the MA in literature must have successfully completed 24 semester hours in English courses (graduate or undergraduate), excluding courses in composition, creative writing or speech. At least 15 of these semester hours must be at the upper-division level.
Transfer of Credits from Other CU Campuses
Students admitted to graduate study in English may complete all of their course requirements for the MA degree at UC Denver. Up to 12 semester hours (total) may be transferred from the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs or other graduate program; however, such transfer requires the written approval of the specific program coordinator. Only 12 semester hours of courses at UC Denver can be counted toward the degree before acceptance into the program. Further, work already applied toward a graduate degree received at the University of Colorado or at another institution cannot be transferred toward another graduate degree of the same level at UC Denver. (For other rules concerning transfer of graduate credits, see the Graduate School Rules available from the Graduate School Web site.) For more information, contact the director of graduate studies at 303-556-4648.
Degree Requirements
Two of the three programs above require a total of 30 semester hours. The literature program requires 33 semester hours. Each program also has a different capstone requirement, e.g., a thesis, a comprehensive examination or a project. Students must receive a B- or above in all courses counted toward the MA degree.
For complete information about the graduate programs in English, go to the master of arts in English Web site: http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/clas/english/MA.html.
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