The Program of Study

      The program leading to the Master of Arts in English enhances the knowledge and skills not only of those with undergraduate degrees in English but also those who wish to begin a career in literature or creative writing.

      The Department of English offers a culturally diverse curriculum that provides men and women with the scholarly knowledge, intellectual understanding, and creative opportunities necessary to complete master's work in literature and language, to enter a Ph.D. or other advanced graduate program, or to prepare for teaching literature and writing in secondary schools or in community or junior colleges.


      The following degrees are offered:

      Master of Arts in English

      Secondary English Certification Option

      Master of Arts in English

        Both a thesis and a nonthesis option are available.

        In both the thesis and nonthesis options, one course may be a compatible course taken in another department.

      Thesis Option (33-36 semester hours)

      Required: (9-12 semester hours)

      1. ENG 500 and ENG 501 (or ENG 504 and ENG 501 for the creative writing concentration) (6)
      2. ENG 620 M.A. Essay (3-6)

      Course Selection:

      In addition to ENG 500 or 504, 501, and 620, all students will take eight courses selected in consulation with the graduate coordinator according to the following plan:


      1. At least one course in British literature before 1660 (3)
      2. At least one course in British or American literature (including African-American) between 1660 and 1900 (3)
      3. At least one course in British or American literature (including African-American) between 1900 and 2000 (3)
      4. At least one course in noncanonical literatures, including comparative literature, women's literature, African-American literature, Native-American literature, and other literatures representing cultural diversity (3)
      5. Four electives (12)


      Creative Writing Concentration (within thesis option) (33-36 semester hours)

        Required
      1. ENG 501 and ENG 504 (6)
      2. ENG 620 M.A. Essay is a portfolio of original fiction or poetry (3-6)


        3. Course Selection (24 semester hours)
      3. Four literature courses chosen from four different areas (12)
      4. Four courses chosen from among poetry and fiction workshops (12)


      Nonthesis Option (36 semester hours)

      Required: (6 semester hours)

      ENG 500 and ENG 501 are to be taken before the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit. (6)

      Course Selection (30 semester hours)

      In addition to ENG 500 and 501, all students will select 10 courses in consultation with the graduate coordinator according to the following plan:


      1. At least one course in literature before 1500 (3)
      2. At least one course in literature between 1500 and 1660 (3)
      3. At least one course in literature between 1660 and 1800 (3)
      4. At least one course in British or American literature between 1800 and 1900 (3)
      5. At least one course in British or American literature between 1900 and 2000 (3)
      6. Five electives (3)


      Additional Requirements

      1. At least one course must be taken in American literature (including African-American and Native-American
      2. At least two courses must be in noncanonical topics (that is, material, literature, and culture not traditionally regarded as representing mainstream or "high" culture


      For more information concerning graduate work in English, including course listings, see the Handbook for Graduate English Studies and Guidelines for Completing the M.A. Essay, available from the English graduate coordinator; call 610-436-2745 for an appointment.

      Secondary English Certification Option

      Post-baccalaureat students seeking certification in secondary English must meet the equivalencies of an undergraduate secondary education major in English. Generally, the following courses are required by the Department of English for certification. (See the Department of Professional and Secondary Education for its requirements.) The Department of English normally accepts equivalent courses from colleges or universities accredited in the United States or their equivalent from schools in other countries. Contact the English graduate coordinator for an evaluation of transcripts from other accredited schools.

      Required

        Two writing courses:
      1. ENG 120 Effective Writing I (or the equivalent)
      2. ENG 121 Effective Writing II (or the equivalent)

        Two linguistics courses:
      3. ENG 230 Introduction to Linguistics (or ENG 330, LIN 501, LIN/LAN 503, or LIN 512)
      4. ENG 331 Structure of Modern English (or ENG 575, LIN 504, 505)


        5. Two methods courses:
      5. ENG 390 Teaching English in the Secondary School (PREREQ: EDM 300, EDP 351, EDS 306, and ENG 230 and 331)
      6. ENG 392 Writing and Teaching Writing in Secondary English

        7. Nine advanced literature courses ("advanced" means courses determined to be upper-level undergraduate or graduate courses. At West Chester the courses that qualify are numbered in the 300s, 400s, 500s, or 600s.)

      7. A literary theory course
      8. A medieval British course
      9. A 16th/17th-century British course
      10. A Restoration/18th-century British course
      11. A 19th-century British course
      12. A 20th-century British course
      13. A pre-20th-century American course
      14. A 20th-century American course
      15. LIT 398: Young Adult Literature

      Writing Assessment Requirements and Procedures

      All certification students must submit a writing portfolio and pass the test of writing competency to qualify for student teaching.

      Due Dates

      1) All students must take the Test of Writing Competency. This test is given twice each year, in late September and early February. Specific test dates will be posted in the English Department and with English Advisors. The test is not given during the summer.

      If you entered the program before 1994, this is your only requirement. Take the test no later than your first semester with junior status.

      If you entered the program in or since 1994, the test becomes part of your writing portfolio. Take the test no later than your second semester with sophomore status.

      Transfer and graduate students must take the test at least two semesters before they plan to student teach. Any deviations from this requirement must be cleared with the Teacher Education Committee.

      Students entering the program after 1994 must submit a writing portfolio which illustrates their proficiency in writing. The portfolio is due the second semester of their sophomore year. The portfolio due date will fall within one week of the Test of Writing Competency scheduled date. No summer submissions are accepted.

      Transfer students with above-sophomore status and graduate students must submit their portfolios two semesters before they plan to student teach. Any deviations from this recommendation must be cleared with the Teacher Education Committee.

      Portfolio Format and Content

      • The portfolio must be an 8 ½ x 11 manila folder with the writer's full name on the tab
      • At least one paper must have all preceding notes and drafts. Papers should be in their original form and include grades and comments. These can come from any university or may be written specifically for the portfolio.
      • The portfolio must include papers in five different modes:

      1. Narrative/imaginative includes personal autobiographical narrative as well as fiction, biography and oral history. Narrative/Imaginative writing tells a story generated by the writer, not gathered from a secondary source.

      2a. Informational writing is expository, not narrative. It may be an essay, newspaper article, a report or any piece of non-narrative writing intended to share information without the constraints of a research paper

      OR

      2b. Persuasive writing differs from information primarily in intent. It may take the same form as informational, but its purpose is to move readers to form or to change an opinion or to take a specific action.

      3. Research Writing incorporates primary and secondary sources and a recognized citation system.

      4. Reflection Writing This takes the form of a self-assessment, 3-4 pages long. It must describe the a) assignment that prompted each piece of writing in the portfolio, 2) the process that produced each piece and c) what each reveals about the writer's ability and/or growth as a writer.

      5. Timed impromptu writing This requirement is fulfilled by the Test of Writing Competency.

      Procedures
      • Students should submit their portfolios to the Chair of the Teacher Education Committee in the English Department.
      • Students whose portfolios do not meet department standards must confer with a member of the Teacher Education committee. They may resubmit their portfolios during the following semester.
      • Students whose portfolios do not meet department standards will be required to do additional work in writing before they may student teach. This may involve taking an offered course or doing independent study in writing supervised by a faculty member.


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