Literature M.A.

• Introduction
• Requirements

Introduction

The Master's Degree in Literature. A separate master of arts degree program is intended for students whose aim is to deepen and expand their literary/critical training and to prepare for entry into a Ph.D. program, usually at another institution. Priority for admission is given to students interested in underrepresented areas of study within the Literature Department’s offerings, such as the non-English language literatures and, more broadly, critical theory.

The M.A. program requirements may not be completed in less than one year; the maximum time to obtain a degree is two years.

Requirements

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Course Requirements Expand and Collapse

• LIT 200, Proseminar, to be taken in fall quarter of the first year;
• Seven additional courses leading to the definition of an area of concentration. Up to two of these may be taken in other departments. One may be an independent study course;
• LIT 291F, a two-credit advising course, each quarter;
• A thesis (written in conjunction with LIT 299A or LIT 299B, Thesis Research). Typically, a thesis will range in length from 35–50 pages, plus a bibliography.

LIT 200	Proseminar	5
LIT 291F	Advising	2
LIT 299A	Thesis Research	5
LIT 299B	Thesis Research	10

Admissions and Financial Aid Expand and Collapse

The Literature Department does not provide financial support to students pursuing the M.A. degree. Admission to the M.A. program does not constitute admission to the Ph.D. program. Students may not automatically transfer from the M.A. program into the Ph.D. program, but must reapply. Further information and application materials are available from the Division of Graduate Studies and on the department website.