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

Spring 2025 (January 21 - May 16, 2025)

ENGL 5033—Teaching College Literature:

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central) beginning Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
  • Course description: This course will introduce students to teaching at the undergraduate level, focusing on classics of Western literature. Students will gain an understanding of commonly taught works and adapt the principles of teaching "Great Books" used in the well-known programs at Columbia University and the University of Chicago to their own pedagogy. Hands-on teaching demonstrations will be a significant component of the course.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Kirsten Lodge: kirsten.lodge@msutexas.edu

 ENGL 5243—Usability and User Experience Research:

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central) beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
  • Course description: This course teaches students advanced concepts and practices in usability and user experience research. The course prepares writing professionals to develop advanced skills in user-centered documentation creation by reviewing academic and professional publications and conducting various user research studies. Students can apply their findings to the practice of document creation, thereby enhancing the overall user experience. 
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Meng Yu: meng.yu@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.