Program Overview

Our strong and supportive program offers graduate-level instruction and professional development skills suitable for pursuing professional opportunities in teaching, editing, and writing, as well as admission into M.F.A. or Ph.D. programs for further graduate study. You will work closely with faculty members to develop your writing, analytical skills, and knowledge of literary history. As you work with your committee to design and execute a scholarly project, you will become an expert in your area of interest. As a master’s student, you will receive exceptional mentorship. Our program accommodates part-time and full-time students, with seminars that meet weekly in the late afternoon or evenings to enable students with work or family responsibilities to attend.

Literary Studies - Critical

Our specialization in critical literary studies offers a thesis and non-thesis option that give you an opportunity to pursue a personalized course of study while gaining a rigorous introduction to a variety of literatures, historical and aesthetic contexts, and critical theories and methodologies. We offer classes in British and U.S. literatures—from early modern drama to contemporary American poetics—and a diverse range of special topics courses, all enriched by professionalization workshops, events with visiting scholars and writers, conference opportunities and an emphasis on mentorship. In addition to literature and literary theory classes, you have the option to take creative writing workshops. If you receive a funded Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you will teach a variety of courses that develop your pedagogy and establish credentials for teaching in the academic world. Faculty mentorship extends beyond the classroom with professionalization workshops that help students navigate the job market, publishing, conferences, and job materials. You can also take advantage of other kinds of professional development opportunities in publishing.