ALL PROGRAMS | College of Arts & Sciences Programs
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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

The Thesis Track is designed to be completed in two years and requires 30 hours of coursework plus six thesis hours. The Independent Study track is designed to be completed in four or five semesters and requires 27 hours of coursework plus three thesis hours.

Where will I take classes?

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: February 15
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: Does not admit

English, M.A., Literary Studies

Director of Graduate Studies in English
Tanya Caldwell
[email protected]

The M.A. program in Literary Studies fosters an environment of critical engagement with the most pressing questions in contemporary literary and cultural studies. Students work with some of the profession’s most talented and productive teachers, scholars and theorists in the fields of American, British and world literatures, cultural studies and folklore.

Students in the M.A. program:

  • Undertake coursework that exposes them to the breadth of literature in English from the Middle Ages to the present and to the methods and theories that have shaped literary criticism and scholarship
  • Regularly deliver papers at international, national and regional conferences
  • Gain valuable professional and organizational experience through participation in the South Atlantic Modern Language Association, an organization of teachers and scholars in modern languages and literatures that is headquartered in the department
  • Work as editorial and research assistants with the department’s academic journals, Studies in the Literary Imagination and Eudora Welty Review
  • Gain pedagogical and leadership experience through tutoring positions in the department's Writing Studio
  • Pursue interesting internship opportunities with local businesses and nonprofit organizations
  • Receive preparation for further graduate study in prestigious national and international doctoral programs

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Details
  • A B.A. in English or a closely related discipline from an accredited college or university with at least a B average (3.0) in the undergraduate major;
  • A critical writing sample of about eight to 12 pages;
  • A statement of academic and professional goals.

For application and admissions requirements, see the graduate catalog.

Thesis Track:

  • 3 hours  Bibliography and Research Methods
  • 3  hours Proseminar
  • 3  hours in English language study
  • 3  hours in literary theory/critical methodology/cultural studies
  • 9 hours in literature before 1800
  • 9 hours in literature after 1800

Independent Study Track:

  • 3 hours  Bibliography and Research Methods
  • 3 hours in English language study
  • 3 hours in literary theory/critical methodology/cultural studies
  • 9 hours in literature before 1800
  • 9 hours in literature after 1800

For course and degree requirements, see the graduate catalog.

Graduates of our M.A. program have gone on to doctoral study at the University of Oregon, McGill University, Michigan State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Rhode Island, Queens University in Belfast and many other institutions.

Description

Careers

  • Our alumni pursue careers in publishing, editing, technical writing and in a variety of communications positions in private industry.
  • Our graduates have also secured employment in middle and secondary education in Georgia and throughout the Southeast.
  • Many of our graduate students pursue further graduate education in prestigious doctoral programs.

Contacts

Director of Literary Studies
Jay Rajiva
[email protected]

Director of Graduate Studies in English
Tanya Caldwell
[email protected]

College of Arts & Sciences Logo25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.