Graduate Admissions Requirements
As you prepare to submit your materials for the M.A. in English program, review the requirements for regular and provisional admission.
All materials for admission should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions unless otherwise indicated.
Regular Admission
- Completed requirements for the Bachelor’s degree in a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting associations.
- A 3.0 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average or higher on all undergraduate work.
- Two letters of recommendation by persons familiar with the applicant’s academic experience.
- A sample of the applicant’s scholarly writing, 8 pages or longer. Students intending to focus on creative writing should also include: 10-15 pages of poetry, single-spaced, with each poem starting on a new page OR up to 25 pages of prose, double-spaced, with each creative nonfiction or fiction piece starting on a new page.
- Statement of Purpose (250-500) words. This statement should:
- articulate the applicant’s research or creative interests and goals
- indicate how the applicant’s experience has prepared them for successful graduate work in their area of interest
- explain why and how Georgia Southern’s English MA program meets the applicant’s interests and goals
Provisional Admission
Provisional admission is sometimes possible if a candidate has better than a 2.75 (4.0 scale) cumulative GPA on undergraduate college work. Students who do not meet provisional requirements may appeal to a departmental committee of graduate faculty members for admission.
Application Deadlines
Fall
- Priority: March 1
- Final: July 31
Spring
- Priority: October 1
- Final: November 15
Summer
- Priority: March 15
- Final: April 1
The application and all required documents listed in the “admissions requirements” must be received by the deadline. If all required documents are not received by the deadline your application will not be considered for admission.
Program of Study (36 Credit Hours)
Required Credit Hours: 21-22
- ENGL 6000 – Introduction to Graduate Studies (3 Credit Hours)
- ENGL 7618 – Thesis Preparation (1 Credit Hour)
- ENGL classes at the 6000 and 7000 levels (17-18 Credit Hours*)
*Graduate Assistants take ENGL 6701 (Fundamentals of Pedagogy, 1 credit hour) and ENGL 6702 (Pedagogy Colloquium, 1 credit hour) as part of these required hours.
Elective Credit Hours: 9
Electives are ENGL courses at the 5000G, 6000, or 7000 level (9 credit hours)
Up to 6 graduate credit hours may be taken in other departments upon approval of the Director.
Thesis Credit Hours: 5-6
In cooperation with a major professor and committee, the student will complete a thesis. Several options are available including
- an analytical thesis
- a creative thesis
- a critical edition
- a pedagogical project
The Graduate Director must approve the student’s choice of project, and the major professor, in consultation with the committee, must approve the project in its final form. See the Graduate Student Manual on the department website for additional information.
Last updated: 3/24/2023