The English Graduate program offers two 9-hour English certificates: one in Professional Studies and one in Literature and Language Studies. Participants in a certificate program do not have to be accepted into the English graduate program, but (with application and acceptance) can apply to have completed hours transferred into the English graduate program or the Education department's graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction, where the hours can be used toward the listed "minor" in English. 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.
(Information on our online English MA/MS degrees)
- three courses (9 semester hours)
- a course completed for one certificate cannot apply toward the second certificate
- no independent studies can apply
See the attached Tuition and Fee Rate Table for Online Graduate Programs.
- Complete the McAda Graduate School online application for the semester that you would like to begin your studies. Apply as a post-baccalaureate, non-degree seeking student. Candidates applying for a certificate program are not applying for admission to the Graduate School. To enter a graduate program at MSU, a candidate formally would apply to the Graduate School and supply any additional information needed.
- After you submit your application, pay the $50 application fee required for all prospective students.
- Submit other application requirements, below, to the Office of Admissions:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution: The Office of Admissions must receive official transcripts from each institution attended other than MSU.
- Letter of interest/essay (500 words) explaining how the certificate will benefit the student
- GRE not required
- Letters of recommendation not required
- Post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students and students seeking a graduate certificate are not eligible to receive financial aid or scholarships.
Students in their last 12 hours of baccalaureate degree study may apply to register for graduate-level courses (see Early Admission Decision for Graduating Baccalaureate Students). Students who receive authorization to do so may apply to transfer up to 6 completed graduate-course hours toward the certificate program. However, they first will need formally to apply for and be accepted into the program.
A grade of B or better must be earned in any graduate course applied to completing the certificate. For example, if a student earns a C in an initial course, to complete the certificate the student would need to take 3 additional courses and earn a B for each. Students can remain in the program (i.e., continue taking classes) as long as they maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Students will gain knowledge to support advancement within a current position or movement toward new opportunities in teaching or professional writing.
Options-Choose Three: (Click Upcoming Course Descriptions below to see which courses will be offered next semester.)
- ENGL 5023 - Teaching College Writing
- ENGL 5033 - Teaching College Literature
- ENGL 5133 - Advanced Creative Writing-Prose
- ENGL 5213 - Special Graduate Topics in Professional and Technical Writing
- ENGL 5223 - Grant and Proposal Writing
- ENGL 5233 - Publishing and Editing
- ENGL 5503 - Professional and Technical Editing
- ENGL 5553 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
- ENGL 5563 - Research Methods in Writing Studies
Students will learn to analyze, interpret, and synthesize literary texts to write about a broad range of genres, literary movements, and major authors. Additionally, students will understand foundational English language history, changes, and practices.
Options-Choose Three: (Click Upcoming Course Descriptions below to see which courses will be offered next semester.)
- ENGL 5033 - Teaching College Literature
- ENGL 5043 - Introduction to Graduate English Studies
- ENGL 5513 - History of the English Language
- ENGL 5523 - Introduction to Linguistics
- ENGL 5533 - Literary Theory and Criticism
- ENGL 5953 - Special Topics Contemporary Literature
- ENGL 5973 - Young Adult Literature
- ENGL 5993 - Special Graduate Topics in Literature
If you have any questions related to the English graduate certificates or the MA/MS in English, please contact Dr. Sally Henschel, English Graduate Coordinator.