Program Description
The M.A. degree in English offers a choice of three concentrations: Creative Writing, Literature, Professional Writing and Rhetoric, and the interdisciplinary concentration in Cherokee Studies. A total of 33 graduate English credit hours is required.
For all concentrations, students either take comprehensive exams or they write a thesis as their capstone project for the program.
For those writing a thesis, a final oral defense is required.
Any student who receives two final course grades of C or one final course grade of F will be dismissed from the program. Note that all GAs must take 514 as an elective, and that it does not fulfill the requirement of taking a Professional Writing and Rhetoric course outside one’s area of concentration.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to the admissions criteria established by the Graduate School, the program also requires the following:
Test Scores
None required; GRE General Exam is optional.
GPA and/or previous degree
Applicants must have achieved an average grade of B or higher in upper-level undergraduate courses in the major.
Essay or Narrative Statement
A Writing Sample is required; it should be 8-12 double-spaced pages (MLA or APA format) and demonstrate your ability to engage in analytical and professional-level, research-based writing. This type of essay is typically produced in senior-level English courses, but other writing samples may be considered.
A 1-2 page personal statement about your interests and your reasons for pursuing the MA at WCU is required.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendations are required addressing the applicant’s aptitude for graduate study.
Resume and/or Experience
A 1-2 page resume of education, training, and any professional experience relevant to the MA in English.
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