Mission

The English Graduate Program prepares students for the next step in their careers, whether that be teaching at the college level, entering into a field of professional writing, or continuing scholarly or creative pursuits. The curriculum is founded on courses in literature, language, writing studies, and pedagogy. Recent MSU graduates have used their degrees or certificates to establish careers in the arts, business, communications, education, government, law, publishing, and writing.

Online programs
  • Master of Arts and Master of Science: Students can choose to complete either the MA or MS. The two 30-hour degree programs differ only in that to pursue an MA, students need to meet a foreign language requirement.
  • English Minor: A master’s candidate in another field may obtain a minor in English by completing a minimum of 12 semester hours approved by the English Graduate Coordinator. Students seeking a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction can minor in English under Option I and II. 
  • English Graduate Certificates: We offer two 9-hour English certificates in Professional Studies and in Literature and Language Studies. Students can complete one or both certificates and later apply the course work to a master’s degree. For high school instructors who already have a master’s degree in another area, the credits can be applied toward faculty credential requirements for teaching dual credit English courses. For information on dual credit teaching, see the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Faculty Credential Guidelines and the Texas Education Agency Dual Credit FAQs.
  • With approval from their advisor, students can apply graduate English courses to the Master of Professional Studies (MPS), an interdisciplinary program.  
Tuition & fees 

See the attached Tuition and Fee Rate Table for Online Graduate Programs.

Graduate assistantship and scholarships

Prospective graduate students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship should contact Dr. Sally Henschel. Students are accepted as graduate assistants on the basis of academic merit and availability. Graduate merit scholarships also are available on a competitive basis.

Upcoming courses

Summer 2024 (May 13 - July 5)

ENGL 5993 MX1: Special Topics in Literature:  Moral Complexity in Recent British Literature

  • An 8-week course offered during the May-Mini and Summer I terms (May 13 - July 5).
  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm (Central) beginning on Tuesday May 14.
  • See the attached 5993 course description.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Peter Fields: peter.fields@msutexas.edu

 

Fall 2024 (Aug. 26 - Dec. 12, 2024)

ENGL 5043 X10 Introduction to Graduate English Studies

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Wednesday evening from 6:00–7:00 pm (Central) beginning on Aug. 28, 2024.
  • Course Description: This course introduces students to the key scholarly conversations in English Studies as well as the primary forms of academic research and scholarly writing in the discipline. This course should be taken in the first year of coursework.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Sally Henschel: sally.henschel@msutexas.edu

ENGL 5233 X10 - Publishing and Editing.

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central) beginning on Aug. 26, 2024.
  • Course description: This course will cover major aspects of book editing and publishing.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. John Schulze: john.schulze@msutexas.edu

ENGL 5953 X10 Special Topics in Contemporary Literature

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central) beginning on Aug. 27, 2024.
  • Course description: This course will focus on Texas literature, with a particular emphasis on several local writers: Larry McMurtry, John Graves, James Hoggard, Jan Reid, Sandra Scofield, and John Williams. Through a close reading of these authors, the class will connect motifs and themes among the varied texts, and students will better understand the culture of those who have lived, contemplated and written about life in the Lone Star state.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Greg Giddings: greg.giddings@msutexas.edu

 

Note: In addition to those seeking an English MA/MS or graduate certificate, the courses above could be of interest to (1) MSU graduate students seeking the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (under Option 1 or II) or the MPS in Professional Studies, and/or (2) high school teachers who already have a master’s degree in another field and are seeking English graduate credit to meet credential requirements for teaching English dual-credit courses. 

Questions?

If you would like more information on the graduate program, please contact Dr. Sally Henschel, English Graduate Coordinator.