M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.A. in English
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in English at UNF focuses on expanding students' education in the literary arts and various forms of writing. The program aims to enhance professional interpretive skills, teaching methodologies, and writing proficiency across genres. It is structured to provide a robust academic experience with opportunities for close work with faculty and exploration of diverse literary and rhetorical traditions. The program is flexible, accommodating students with various undergraduate backgrounds, and offers pathways for both academic and professional career paths.
Curriculum: The M.A. in English curriculum at UNF is comprehensive, covering a wide array of topics within English studies. Students delve into the analysis and appreciation of literary texts, including poetry, drama, fiction, film, biography, and memoir. They also develop advanced writing skills in various modes, such as creative writing and writing for business and non-profit organizations. The program offers optional concentrations: the Composition and Rhetoric concentration focuses on enhancing qualifications for teaching writing in high schools and community colleges, and preparing students for careers in technical writing, editing, or internet publishing. The Creative Writing concentration allows students to develop their craft through dynamic workshops, independent studies, and special topic offerings, exploring techniques and trends in contemporary literary writing. The curriculum ensures students develop critical reading, analytical, and effective communication skills.
Research Focus: The M.A. in English at UNF fosters a strong research-informed approach to literary and rhetorical studies. While the program emphasizes advanced coursework, it requires students to engage deeply with literary criticism, rhetorical analysis, and scholarly inquiry. Students develop their analytical and interpretive skills by critically examining diverse texts and theoretical frameworks. Depending on their chosen concentration, students may engage in research on pedagogical issues in composition, historical and theoretical aspects of rhetoric, or delve into extensive reading and analysis for their creative writing projects. The program aims to cultivate students who can conduct rigorous analysis, synthesize complex ideas, and articulate their findings clearly and persuasively, whether through critical essays or creative works.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in English program at UNF prepares graduates for diverse professional fields beyond academia. The concentrations, particularly in Composition and Rhetoric, are directly relevant to careers in technical writing, editing, and publishing, which involve clear and effective communication in industry settings. The program emphasizes the development of strong writing and communication skills, which are highly valued in virtually all professional environments. While direct industry partnerships might not be as formalized as in business or engineering programs, the skill sets developed in the M.A. in English are broadly applicable and sought after by employers who need individuals capable of critical thinking, complex analysis, and compelling communication.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in English at UNF inherently incorporates a global perspective through its engagement with diverse literary traditions and cultural contexts. Students study texts from various periods and geographical locations, fostering an understanding of different cultures, historical movements, and societal perspectives reflected in literature. Courses in film studies further broaden this perspective by examining global cinematic traditions. The study of rhetoric also offers insights into cross-cultural communication and persuasion. While the program may focus on English language and literature, the very nature of these fields allows for a deep exploration of human experience and thought across the globe, preparing graduates to understand and appreciate the complexities of an interconnected world.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in English from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a highly versatile graduate degree that equips individuals with sophisticated analytical, interpretive, and communication skills. While often seen as a path to academia, UNF's program, with its optional concentrations in Composition and Rhetoric and Creative Writing, explicitly prepares graduates for a broad spectrum of professional careers beyond teaching. The emphasis on critical thinking, nuanced textual analysis, and persuasive writing makes these graduates invaluable in any field that requires strong intellectual and communicative capabilities.
Community College Instructor/Lecturer: The M.A. in English, particularly with a Concentration in Composition and Rhetoric, directly qualifies graduates to teach English composition, rhetoric, and literature at community colleges, where there is a consistent demand for qualified instructors.
Technical Writer: These professionals translate complex technical or scientific information into clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation, such as manuals, guides, and online help content. Their strong writing and analytical skills are highly valued in technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.
Editor (Book, Magazine, Web, Corporate): M.A. English graduates possess superior grammar, syntax, and stylistic knowledge. They work in publishing houses, media companies, corporate communications departments, and online platforms, refining content for clarity, accuracy, and impact.
Content Strategist/Manager: In the digital age, businesses need professionals to plan, create, and manage engaging content across various platforms (websites, blogs, social media). An M.A. in English provides the critical thinking and writing prowess to develop effective content strategies and maintain brand voice.
Communications Specialist/Manager: These roles involve managing internal and external communications for organizations. Graduates craft press releases, corporate reports, internal memos, and speeches, ensuring clear and consistent messaging to stakeholders.
Public Relations Specialist: Public relations professionals manage the public image of individuals, organizations, or brands. Their skills in persuasive writing, media relations, and understanding public perception (all honed in an English M.A.) are essential for crafting compelling narratives and managing crises.
Grant Writer/Development Specialist (Non-Profit): Non-profit organizations rely on grants and fundraising. Graduates with an M.A. in English excel at writing compelling grant proposals, donor communications, and fundraising materials that effectively articulate mission and impact.
Journalist/Reporter (Investigative/Features): While a journalism degree is common, an M.A. in English provides the rigorous research, analytical, and writing skills necessary for in-depth investigative journalism, feature writing, and literary reporting across print, digital, and broadcast media.
Curriculum Developer/Instructional Designer: Leveraging their understanding of pedagogy and communication (especially with a Composition and Rhetoric concentration), graduates can design educational content and learning experiences for various settings, including corporate training, e-learning platforms, or K-12 and higher education.
UX (User Experience) Writer: As technology evolves, companies increasingly hire UX writers to craft the text that users see and interact with in apps, websites, and software interfaces. This requires concise, clear, and user-centric language, a skill heavily developed in an English M.A. program.
