MA English at Stony Brook University

Programme overview

The MA in English combines historical periods, literary genres, gender, race and cultural studies, and writing workshops, broadening literary knowledge while developing students' own writing. It is available in person and online, with evening and online course options, and leads to a master's thesis. Students may also earn an interdisciplinary certificate in women's, gender and sexuality studies; media, arts, culture and technology; or composition studies.

What you will study

Ten three-credit courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA: two courses in Language and Rhetoric (e.g. Studies in Literary Theory, Language and Linguistics, Problems in Teaching Writing), three topics courses (genre, cultural, gender, race/ethnic/diaspora studies, writing workshop), four 500-level electives, and a master's thesis.

Career pathways

Teaching in secondary schools, colleges and universities, presenting scholarly research, and writing for specialized and general audiences.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution; average of at least B in the last two years of undergraduate work; official undergraduate transcripts; letters of recommendation from three instructors; writing sample of 10 double-spaced pages (excluding bibliography); acceptance by both the English Department and the Graduate School. No predetermined quantitative criteria decide admission.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are for fall entry with funding consideration; deadlines and any other entry terms vary by program.

Graduate School: the application fee is $100 (limited exceptions). Applications are submitted online through the Slate portal. Minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 on a 4.00 scale; GRE scores are listed on the application checklist and three letters of recommendation are required. Deadlines vary by program; for fall applications considered for funding the deadline is typically January 15.

Apply through the official page: https://www.stonybrook.edu/grad/admissions/apply-graduate-programs.html

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