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

Fall 2025 

ENGL 5043-X10 Intro Graduate English Studies

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central). 
  • Course description: 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. Students must make a B in order to continue enrolling in English graduate courses.
  • If you have any questions about the course, please contact Dr. John Schulze: john.schulze@msutexas.edu

ENGL 5133-X10 Adv Creative Writing-Prose

  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central).
  • Course description: This course is cross-listed as a senior level creative writing course for undergraduates and as a graduate course for those students intending to compose a creative thesis for the completion of their degree requirements.  This course is intended to help students further hone and polish basic skills in narration, characterization, plot, theme, dialogue, point of view, revision, etc.  It is also intended to help students become more perceptive and sophisticated readers of fiction and/or creative nonfiction.
  • If you have any questions, please contact Dr. John Schulze: john.schulze@msutexas.edu
ENGL 5563-X10 Res Methods in Writing Studies 
  • Students and faculty meet synchronously in Zoom for discussion each Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Central).
  • Course description: A survey of qualitative and quantitative research methods, methodological strategies, and analytical tools in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication studies.
  • If you have questions about the course, please contact Dr. Sally Henschel: sally.henschel@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.