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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (30 Units)

For the Master of Arts degree, a minimum of 30 units of approved graduate work is required, comprised of 12 units of Core Requirements and 18 units of either Options I, II, or III.

CORE REQUIREMENT (12 Units)

  • ENGL 604 Studies in the English Language
  • ENGL 638 Seminar in Critical Approaches to Literature
  • Two courses in literature at the 595-600 level (400 level courses may not be used)

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS (18 Units)
 

OPTION I. LITERATURE

  • ENGL 601 Seminar in Scholarly Methods and Bibliography (3 Units)
  • Three courses in literature (9 Units)
  • Two courses selected with the approval of the Graduate Advisor, one of which may be ENGL 698C Thesis in Literature or Criticism (6 Units)
  • Those not writing a thesis must select the Comprehensive Examination (ENGL 697C). Candidates should consult with the Graduate Advisor. For regulations governing required registration for the examination, see the "Graduate Programs" section of the catalog.
  • Current MA Examination Reading List
  • Past MA Examination Reading Lists

OPTION II. CREATIVE WRITING

Applicants interested in the creative writing option must first be admitted into the MA Program in English and must submit a qualifying creative writing sample to the Creative Writing Committee during their first semester of residency.

  • ENGL 652 Creative Writing Studies (3 Units)
  • Three courses in creative writing (9 Units)
  • One course selected with the approval of the Graduate Advisor (3 Units)
  • Creative Writing Thesis (Candidates should consult with the Graduate Advisor) (3 Units)

For more information, see the Guidelines for the Graduate Creative Writing Option.

OPTION III. RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION THEORY

Applicants interested in the rhetoric and composition theory option must first be admitted into the MA program in English and must submit a qualifying non-fiction writing sample during their first semester of residency.

For more information, see the Guidelines for the Graduate Rhetoric and Composition Option.

Notes:

  1. ***Policy on GPA Requirements for Graduate Programs- Approved on June 1, 2006
    Students pursuing a Graduate Degree must maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) average in the formal program. No grade below a "C" can be counted in the formal program. Any grade of "C-" or below in the formal program must be repeated after an approved course repeat form has been filed. If the student does not receive a "C" or better on the 2nd attempt, the student will be disqualifed from the program. A maximum of 6 units in the formal program may be repeated at the graduate level. The repeat grade will appear on the transcript. Departments may have higher standards that take precedence over the university policy.
  2. In all options, with consent of the Graduate Advisor, two courses from the 400 level in the English Department that have been approved for graduate credit may be chosen. (Note:400 level courses cannot be used for the graduate level literature requirement)
  3. Students may receive credit for only two 608s (Seminar in Narrative Writing), two 609s (Seminar in Poetry Writing), two 622s (Aspects of Poetry), two 623s (Studies in Prose Fiction), three 620s (Seminar in Individual Authors), three 630s (Seminar in Literary periods), or two 699s (Independent Study)--as long as the individual class topics are not repeated.
  4. Please send official sealed transcripts to: CSUN, Department of English 18111 Nordhoff Street  Northridge, CA 91330-8248 Attention: Marjie Seagoe
  5. For more information please contact: Graduate Secretary marjie.seagoe@csun.edu 818-677-3433
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