Master of Arts in English

About

Saint Louis University’s Master of Arts in English provides students with scholarly training in a variety of literary fields and in the study of rhetoric and composition. Students in the program receive training in pedagogy, research, writing and theory. The M.A. is a prerequisite for SLU's Ph.D. program, and it also prepares students for careers in fields including publishing, editing and secondary education. Saint Louis University-Madrid also offers SLU's M.A. program. The nonthesis option for the Master of Arts in English degree requires 30 credits of coursework beyond the B.A. The article option permits students to submit a polished, article-length essay for three of the 30 credits of coursework. The thesis option permits students to substitute a thesis for six of the 30 required credits of coursework. All three options are typically completed in two years. M.A. students planning to teach at Saint Louis University are required to take a class in the teaching of writing, and all must take courses in the methods of literary research and critical theory, as well as courses in four out of five required areas. At the conclusion of their coursework, students take a one-and-a-half-hour oral exam. Students pursuing the essay and thesis options select a topic in consultation with a director. A board consisting of the director and two other faculty members reviews each student's completed thesis. Saint Louis University's English department is affiliated with the Walter J. Ong Center for Digital Humanities. In addition to participating in various writing programs, including University Writing Services, English faculty and graduate students participate in departmental research colloquia and reading groups. SLU also hosts the journal African American Review.  

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Teaching Assistant Supervisor, Writing Center Director, Secondary School Teacher (Advanced English/Composition), Community Education Program Coordinator, Copyeditor, Grant Writer, Curriculum Developer (English/Language Arts), Technical Writer, Publishing Coordinator, Editor (Academic/Trade Publishing), Content Strategist, Literary Agent Assistant, Creative Writing Instructor,Arts & Literature Critic, Journalist (Culture/Arts Focus), Documentary Researcher (Literary Themes), Corporate Communications Specialist, Speechwriter, Public Relations Specialist, Communications Strategist, Social Media Content Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Officer (Language/Culture Focus), Customer Experience Analyst, Brand Strategist , Marketing Content Manager, Media Correspondent (Arts/Politics).