Apr 24, 2024

2014-2015 Graduate Catalog

2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English MA

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► Graduate School Rules apply to this program

Program Director: Michelle Comstock
Telephone: 303-556-8479
E-mail: Michelle.Comstock@ucdenver.edu

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 rhetoric and 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 program 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 summer or fall admission is April 1; the deadline for spring is October 1. Complete applications for all three programs must include the following:

a completed University of Colorado graduate application
one copy 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 155 or higher. Analytical writing score should be 4 or higher.
evidence of a 3.0 GPA in previous courses
a one-page statement of purpose
10-page critical writing sample

In addition to these requirements, applicants for the literature program 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 CU Denver. Up to 9 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 9 semester hours of courses taken at CU Denver before acceptance into the program can be counted toward the degree. 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 CU Denver. (For other rules concerning transfer of graduate credits, see the Graduate School Rules .) For more information, contact the graduate program director at 303-556-8479.

Degree Requirements

The literature program requires 31-34 semester hours; the rhetoric and teaching of writing program requires 30-31 hours; the applied linguistics program requires 30-31 hours. Students must receive a B- or above in all courses counted toward the MA degree.

Literature Program

This program provides a general knowledge of English and American literature, a familiarity with the range of theoretical approaches and critical methodologies, and an opportunity to take courses in film studies and ethnic and world literature.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of all required course work
Satisfactory completion of the MA comprehensive exam OR thesis submission and defense
Demonstrated fourth-semester proficiency in a foreign language. Old English or Latin will also satisfy this requirement
Compliance with all graduate school policies and requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (30 SEMESTER HOURS MINIMUM)

All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted. A minimum of 9 semester hours must be taken at the 6000 level.

REQUIRED COURSES

Total: 6 Hours

AREA REQUIREMENTS

Choose seven courses at the 5000/6000 level which fulfill seven different areas from the following 9 areas:

Classics
Medieval literature
Renaissance literature
Restoration and 18th-century literature
Romanticism
American literature, pre-1900
Victorian literature
American literature or film, post-1900
British modernism/ 20th-century British literature or film

Any graduate literature/film course will fulfill at least one of these areas. Each area can be satisfied by several different courses periodically offered. Historical surveys count within the most appropriate area based on the syllabus. Courses in film, world literature, ethnic literature and women’s literature generally fulfill one of the 20th-century areas.

Total: 21 Hours

ELECTIVES

Choose one of the following:

ENGL 5093 - Teaching of Writing
ENGL 5913 - Practicum in Language and Rhetoric
An ENGL 5000- or 6000-level literature or film course

Total: 3 Hours

THESIS OR NON-THESIS OPTIONS

Non-Thesis Option

Students not writing a thesis must take the MA comprehensive exam. Prior to the exam, students may take

ENGL 6920. Directed Readings

for 1-3 semester hours to help them prepare for the exam, but this is not required.

Students must be registered during the semester in which they take the MA comprehensive exam, which can be met by signing up for candidate for degree (CAND 5940-900) if all course work is completed.

Thesis Option

Students must submit a proposal for a thesis to the graduate program director for permission to proceed to the thesis.

ENGL 6950 - Master’s Thesis (4-6 hours)
For details about writing, submitting and defending a thesis, see the current thesis guidelines .

Total Thesis Credits: 4-6 Hours

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Students must demonstrate fourth-semester proficiency in a foreign language. Old English or Latin also satisfies this requirement.

Literature Program Total: 31-34 Hours

Rhetoric and Teaching of Writing Program

In this program, you’ll study rhetorical and language traditions and apply that knowledge to the teaching of writing. Knowledge of multicultural dimensions of literacy will help you understand the rich cultural complexity of the modern classroom.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (30 SEMESTER HOURS MINIMUM)

All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.

REQUIRED COURSES

Total: 18 Hours

AREA OF CONCENTRATION

Chosen by the student and approved by the student’s advisor, three courses are taken in an area of concentration which may be in virtually any field that complements the required core and that meets the student’s goals in the program. Representative areas include but are not limited to literature, technical communication, reading, English as a second language and communication.

ENGL 5913. Practicum in Language and Rhetoric

may be included among these nine hours.

Total: 9 Hours

THESIS OR PORTFOLIO EXAM

ENGL 6950. Master’s Thesis

For details about writing, submitting and defending a thesis, see the current thesis guidelines.

-OR-

ENGL 6970. Portfolio Examination

Total: 3-6 Hours

Rhetoric and Teaching of Writing Total: 30-31 Hours

Applied Linguistics Program

If you want a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of teaching English to non-native adult users of English with a special focus on the discourses of the classroom and on teaching second-language writers, this program is a good choice.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Foreign Language: Students must demonstrate fourth semester proficiency in a foreign language prior to graduation; assessment of proficiency depends on the language to be demonstrated.

Internship: Those students who are not teaching adult ESL students at the time of their course work will be required to take a 3–6 credit internship in an area language school, workplace or high school/college ESL program, either through the Experiential Learning Center or by arrangement with the program coordinator.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (30 SEMESTER HOURS MINIMUM)

All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

ENGL 5093 - Teaching of Writing
ENGL 5150 - Research Methods
ENGL 5171 - Language Theory
ENGL 5601 - Principles and Practices of Second Language Acquisition
ENGL 5651 - Second Language Writing
ENGL 5913 - Practicum in Language and Rhetoric
-OR- an ENGL elective approved by the student’s advisor

Total: 18 Hours

ELECTIVES: LANGUAGE OR RHETORIC COURSES

Choose two:

Total: 6 Hours

THESIS OR PORTFOLIO EXAM

ENGL 6950. Master’s Thesis

(4-6 hours)

For details about writing, submitting and defending a thesis, see the current Graduate Student Handbook .

-OR-

ENGL 6970. Portfolio Examination

Total: 3-6 Hours

Applied Linguistics Total: 30-31 Hours

Additional Information

Candidate for Degree: Graduate students must be registered for at least one credit hour during the semester in which they graduate. Those who have completed all required courses and requirements may register for candidate for degree: CAND 5940; this carries no course credit, but you are billed for one credit of tuition and $10 in fees.

Teaching Assistantships: Graduate students who receive a teaching assistantship must take the following course in the fall during their first semester as a teaching assistant.

ENGL 5913. Practicum in Language and Rhetoric

Dual Degrees: Students concurrently pursuing a MA in education can count up to six hours of education courses toward their MA in English, with their English graduate advisor’s permission.