M.A. in English
The MA in English at UCA is a focused program designed to build upon undergraduate know...
M.A. in English
Conway, Arkansas
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The MA in English at UCA is a focused program designed to build upon undergraduate knowledge in literature. It offers students broad grounding in British and American literary history, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day, while also fostering familiarity with the history of literary scholarship. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, close reading, and advanced communication skills, preparing graduates for a variety of career paths, including doctoral studies, K-12 teaching, grant writing, technical writing, publishing, and university administration. UCA's program is known for its small class sizes and dedicated faculty, offering a supportive environment with individualized feedback and mentorship. Students can choose between a thesis and non-thesis track, and the program accommodates working professionals with evening and summer classes.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the MA in English is a 30-credit-hour program, with at least 15 hours earned at the 6000 level. It includes two required core courses: ENGL 6393: Research Methods in English and ENGL 5366: Literary Theory and Criticism. These courses are foundational, aiming to acculturate students into graduate-level study by developing essential research and analytical skillsets. The remaining 24 hours are comprised of electives, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests in consultation with their advisor. This flexibility ensures that students gain both a broad understanding of literary history and the opportunity to specialize in areas that align with their academic and professional goals.
Research Focus: A significant component of the MA in English program is its emphasis on graduate-level research. Students are trained to discover, evaluate, integrate, and document primary and secondary sources effectively. The required courses culminate in student-directed research projects, showcasing their progression into independent scholars. For those pursuing the thesis option, an original work of scholarship (no fewer than 50 double-spaced pages) is produced under the guidance of a faculty director. This commitment to research is further reinforced by faculty who actively engage in scholarly work and often involve graduate students in their ongoing research projects.
Industry Engagement: While the MA in English primarily focuses on academic and critical skills, its emphasis on strong communication, analytical thinking, and research translates well into various professional fields. Graduates have found success in areas such as editing, publishing, grant writing, technical writing, and higher education administration. The program's holistic support aims to prepare students for diverse career paths beyond traditional academia, recognizing the value of humanities skills in a wide range of industries.
Global Perspective: While the core curriculum centers on British and American literature, the program indirectly fosters a global perspective through its engagement with diverse literary traditions and critical theories. The study of Anglophone literature broadens the scope beyond national boundaries. Furthermore, UCA generally promotes global learning and hands-on academic experiences across its programs, and the MA in English contributes to this by developing students who are critical thinkers and effective communicators, capable of engaging with complex cultural contexts.
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 11400
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $50
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% 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.
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make higher education affordable and accessible. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, supporting talented students from around the world as they pursue their degrees.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UCA provides competitive merit scholarships specifically for international students, awarded based on academic achievements such as high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are renewable each year, provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarship: The university offers dedicated scholarships for international students, including awards that cover partial tuition fees. These scholarships aim to attract high-performing students globally and promote diversity on campus.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Some colleges and departments within UCA provide scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, education, health sciences, or the arts. Prospective students are encouraged to inquire about scholarships related to their major.
An M.A. in English from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) equips graduates with a refined skillset in critical analysis, persuasive writing, advanced research, and effective communication, making them highly adaptable for a diverse range of professional fields. While the program often prepares students for further doctoral studies or teaching, its emphasis on transferable skills opens doors to numerous career opportunities beyond academia.
Educator (Post-Secondary/K-12): Many MA in English graduates pursue careers in education. With the MA, individuals are often qualified to teach English, literature, and composition at the community college level. Some also find positions teaching English at the secondary (high school) level, especially if they have an interest in K-12 education and appropriate licensure.
Editor/Proofreader: The rigorous training in close reading, grammar, style, and precision that an MA in English provides makes graduates ideal candidates for editing and proofreading roles. This can span across various sectors including publishing houses (books, journals), newspapers, magazines, corporate communications, and online content platforms.
Technical Writer: Technical writers translate complex information into clear, concise, and user-friendly instructions, manuals, reports, and documentation. The analytical skills and ability to structure information logically, honed during an MA in English, are highly valuable in this field across industries like technology, engineering, and healthcare.
Content Writer/Strategist: In the digital age, there's a high demand for skilled content creators. MA in English graduates excel at crafting engaging, informative, and SEO-friendly content for websites, blogs, social media, and marketing campaigns. A content strategist further develops and implements overall content plans for organizations.
Copywriter: This role involves writing persuasive and compelling text for advertising, marketing, and promotional materials. English MA graduates, with their understanding of rhetoric, audience, and narrative, are well-suited to create impactful copy for businesses and agencies.
Public Relations (PR) Specialist/Communications Manager: Professionals in PR and communications manage an organization's public image and internal/external messaging. The strong written and oral communication skills developed in an English MA program are essential for crafting press releases, managing media relations, and developing communication strategies.
Grant Writer: Grant writers are crucial for non-profit organizations and research institutions, preparing compelling proposals to secure funding. The research skills, persuasive writing abilities, and capacity to articulate a clear statement of need are directly applicable from an English MA.
Journalist/Reporter: While many journalism roles require specific training, an MA in English provides a strong foundation in research, critical analysis, and compelling storytelling, which are vital for investigative journalism, feature writing, and news reporting across various media.
Literary Agent: For those passionate about books and authors, a literary agent works as an intermediary between authors and publishing houses. This role requires excellent communication, negotiation, and a deep understanding of literary merit and market trends, all informed by an English MA.
Librarian/Archivist (with additional specialization): While an MA in Library Science (MLS) is typically required, an English MA can serve as a strong academic foundation for pursuing a career as a librarian or archivist. These roles involve organizing, curating, and providing access to information and cultural resources, where literary knowledge and research skills are highly beneficial.
