M.A. in English and American Literature
The Master's Program in English and American Literature is designed for Notre Dame and St. Mary's College undergraduate English majors seeking advanced training before applying to a Ph.D. program at another institution. Student from other undergraduate institutions should apply directly to the Ph.D. Program. It is not necessary to have an M.A. before applying to the Ph.D. Program. Students in the Ph.D. program can receive an M.A. upon completion of their third year exams.
M.A. students may choose to pursue either a non-research or research degree. A research degree is recommended for students planning to pursue a Ph.D.
Principal Requirements for the Non-Research Degree
- 30 credit hours of course work, i.e., 10 classroom courses. One of the 10 courses must be in literary criticism or theory.
- A written examination covering a reading list of three literary texts and selected criticism. The writtten exam is taken at the conclusion of coursework, normally at the end of the spring semester of the second year.
Principal Requirements for the Research Degree
All requirements for the non-research degree must be fulfilled, except students opting for the research degree take 24 credit hours of classroom courses and six credit hours of thesis research. Students must also:
- Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language
- Complete a thesis consisting of a work of literary criticism