Master of Arts in English

(MA) 

The Master of Arts in English program offers traditional graduate students and working adults advanced preparation in the study of English language and literature.

The curriculum is composed of 2 and 3 credit hour classes that fall into the following broad categories:

• American Literature
• British Literature
• World Literature
• Linguistics
• Teacher Education

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MENG program requires a Bachelor’s degree in English. Students with less English preparation may petition for conditional admission which may require additional classes at the 5000-level for full matriculation.

Applicants must complete an online application. Criteria for acceptance into the program include:

• Undergraduate degree in English with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major (preferred)
• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Millers Analogies Test (MAT) scores or other appropriate entry test
• Submission of writing sample (4-8 pages)
• Transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
• Three letters of recommendation from educational or professional references
• Interview with the program director or option coordinator

Additional Requirements for International Students

All international students and any applicants educated outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English must submit an official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based). Other appropriate tests may be used as an alternative to the TOEFL, such as IELT and the WSU LEAP Special Examination. The score may not be more than two years old.

Transfer Credits

• Transfer credit must be approved by the program director and cannot exceed 12 credit hours. Transfer classes must be at appropriate levels and fulfill the objectives of the Master of Arts in English degree at WSU. No courses for which credit was used to fulfill requirements of another degree may be used toward the Master of Arts in English degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Credit hour requirements are determined within the option. A minimum of 24 credit hours at the 6000-level and a minimum of 33 total credit hours are required in the program. Students must complete all requirements in one of the options.
• Grades of B- or better in all courses counting toward the degree.
• Students with a BS degree must show foreign language competency either by completing a fourth semester foreign language class with a grade of C- (or better) or by passing a prescribed foreign language reading test
• Students not completing a thesis will be required to submit a portfolio of their work to the program for assessment purposes.

Time for Degree Completion

• MENG students have a maximum of six calendar years to complete their degree requirements, starting from the first semester during which the student has registered for and begun taking classes. Students who exceed this time limit may submit a letter of appeal to the program director to request an extension.
• Students who fail to enroll in program classes for three consecutive semesters (not including summers) must apply for readmission to the program.
• In order to ensure timely progress through the program, students are encouraged to consult with an advisor at least once a year.

Course Requirements for Master of Arts in English

All MENG students will be required to complete the Core Requirements as part of their degree. In addition to the Core, a student needs to complete one of the options.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

Core Research Methods

• MENG 6010 Bibliography and Research Methods (3)

Core Literature

• MENG 6030* Studies in Literary Theory and Criticism (3)
• MENG 6610* Advanced Studies in Genres (2-3)
• MENG 6710* Variable Topics (2-3)

Core Seminars

• MENG 6510* Seminar in Eminent Writers (2-3)
• MENG 6520 Seminar in Shakespeare (3)

Core Language

• MENG 6310 Language and Linguistic for Teachers (3)
• MENG 6320 World Languages (3)
• MENG 6330 Literary and Rhetorical Stylistics (3)
• MENG 6410 Strategies and Methodology of Teaching ESL/Bilingual (3)
• MENG 6420 English Phonology and Syntax for ESL/Bilingual Teachers (3)
• MENG 6450 ESL/Bilingual Assessment: Theory, Methods, and Practices (3)

Core Teaching

• MENG 6110 Writing for Teachers (3)
• MENG 6120 Teaching Traditional and Contemporary Young Adult Literature (4)
• MENG 6230 Wasatch Range Writing Project Summer Institute (1-6)
• MENG 6280 TESOL Practicum (3)
• MENG 6400 Multicultural Perspectives on Literature for Young People (3)
• MENG 6821 Teaching Developmental Reading and Writing (2)
• MENG 6822 Teaching College Writing (2)
• MENG 6823 Teaching Practicum (1)

Electives

• Elective courses may be taken to fulfill the minimum 33 credit hours required to graduate. All program courses not taken as a required course may be taken as electives.
• No more than three hours of directed readings credit (MENG 6830) may apply toward the Master of Arts in English degree unless approved by the program director.
• The following three courses may be taken only by students who are teaching writing for WSU for the first time: MENG 6821, MENG 6822, and MENG 6823.
   

LITERATURE OPTION

Seminars in Literature

• MENG 6240 Seminar in American Literature: Variable Title (3)
• MENG 6250 Seminar in British Literature: Variable Title (3)
• MENG 6260 Seminar in World Literature: Variable Title (3)

Electives

Elective courses may be taken to fulfill the minimum 33 credit hours required to graduate.
 

SECONDARY LICENSURE OPTION

Literature

One of the following courses (may be used to also fulfill the Core Literature)

• MENG 6030 Studies in Literary Theory and Criticism (3)
• MENG 6610 Advanced Studies in Genres (2-3)
• MENG 6710 Variable Topics (2-3)

Seminars

One of the following courses (may be used to also fulfill the Core Seminars)

• MENG 6510 Seminar in Eminent Writers (2-3)
• MENG 6520* Seminar in Shakespeare (3)

Linquistics

One of the following courses (may be used to also fulfill the Core Language)

• MENG 6310 Language and Linguistic for Teachers (3)
• MENG 6410 Strategies and Methodology of Teaching ESL/Bilingual (3)

Writing

One of the following courses (3 credit hour minimum; may be used to also fulfill the Core Teaching)

• MENG 6110 Writing for Teachers (3)
• MENG 6230 Wasatch Range Writing Project Summer Institute (1-6)

Seminars in Literature

One course in two of the three following seminars (6 credit hours)

• MENG 6240 Seminar in American Literature: Variable Title (3)
• MENG 6250 Seminar in British Literature: Variable Title (3)
• MENG 6260 Seminar in World Literature: Variable Title (3)

Electives

Elective courses may be taken to fulfill the minimum 33 credit hours required to graduate if the secondary licensure is not pursued.

Secondary Licensure Teaching

MED 6060 must be taken prior to MENG 5210/6120; MENG 5210 and MENG 6120 must be taken concurrently. It is strongly recommended that MENG 6110 or MENG 6230 be taken prior to MENG 5210/6120.

• MENG 5210 Practicum in Teaching English (2)
• MENG 6120 Teaching Traditional and Contemporary Young Adult Literature (4)

Students seeking to fulfill the secondary licensure requirements though the Utah State Office of Education must also apply and be accepted into the Master of Education (MEd) Secondary Licensure Track. For all requirements related to pursuing a secondary licensure, please refer to the Master of Education Secondary Licenure Track in this catalog and contact the MEd Program offices. A minimum of 16 credit hours will be required from MEd for licensure with additional credit in student teaching also required. Credit taken in the MEd Program will meet elective requirements for the 33 credit hour minimum in MENG.

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES OPTION (TESOL)

Note: The TESOL Option is planned but is currently unavailable.

TESOL Foundations

All of the following

• MED 6250 Second Language Acquisition: Theories and Implementation (3)
• MED 6270 Literacy Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (3)
• MENG 6005 Intercultural Classroom Discourse (3)
• MENG 6280 TESOL Practicum (3)
• MENG 6410 Strategies and Methodology of Teaching ESL/Bilingual (3)
• MENG 6420 English Phonology and Syntax for ESL/Bilingual Teachers (3)
• MENG 6450 ESL/Bilingual Assessment: Theory, Methods, and Practices (3)

One of the following

• MENG 6310 Language and Linguistics for Teachers (3)
• MENG 6320 World Languages (3)
• MENG 6330 Literary and Rhetorical Stylistics (3)

Electives

Elective courses may be taken to fulfill the minimum 33 credit hours required to graduate.
 

Weber State University 2012-2013 Catalog