MA Degree Requirements

MA English Degree Requirements
English Teacher Degree Requirements

MA English Degree Requirements (as of Fall 2008)

Candidates for the general master's degree in English must complete 33 credits, taking nine courses in at least six of seven areas with a minimum of three courses in one area of specialization selected with the help of an advisor.

1. Literature before 1500:ENG: 705, 706, 708, 791
   
2. Literature from 1500-1800: ENG: 721, 724, 731, 751, 760, 761, 792
   
3. Literature from 1800-1900: ENG: 741, 742, 749.1, 749.2, 752, 793
   
4. Literature from 1900 to the present: ENG: 750, 750.9, 753.1, 753.2, 757, 763, 794
   
5. Theory and Criticism: ENG: 710, 775, 775.1, 775.2, 775.3, 775.4, 778, 779, 795
   
6. Language: ENG 701, 702, 702.6, 703, 703.6, 795.6.
7. Comparative Literature: CMPLT 706.1, 707.1, 708.1 and ENG 795.7

In addition, degree candidates must take two required courses, English 700X Introduction to Literary Research and English 780X Thesis Project. Candidates must also certify their ability to read a foreign language, pass a comprehensive examination, and complete a thesis.

English Teacher Degree Requirements (as of Fall 2008)

Thirty to forty-three credits are required for the degree. Students must complete 18 credits in courses in English. Students enroll in the appropriate course of studies listed below (Option A or B or C) based upon teaching experience, previous course work, and the teaching certificates they hold.

Option (A): 30 credits
Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching English or equivalent course work and teaching experience must complete the following courses in English: English 700.1X and English 715X. In addition, students must complete a course in four of the seven areas of study listed under the M.A. in English above, as follows: three courses from areas 1-5 and 7; and one course from area 6.

Option (B): 43 credits
Students who do not possess Initial Certification in teaching English or equivalent course work and teaching experience must complete the following courses in English: English 700.1X, English 715 and English 779. In addition, and with advisement from the chairman or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete a course in two of the seven areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: two courses from areas 1-4 and 7; and one course from area 6.

Option (C): 33 credits (Teaching Fellows)
Students who are teaching or have secured a position teaching English and who are pursuing an Alt B Certificate (option c above) must complete the following courses in English: English 700.1X English 715 and English 779. In addition, and with advisement from the chairman or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete a course in two of the seven areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: two courses from areas 1-4 and 7; and one course from area 6.

Students take different education courses depending on their previous course work, teaching experience, and the certificates they hold. Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching English (option A above) must complete the following courses: ED 742.2, ED 722.01, ED 792.4  and ED 724.01. Students who do not possess Initial Certification in teaching English or equivalent course work and teaching experience or who are teaching but do not possess Initial Certification in teaching English (option B above) and are not pursuing an Alt B certificate must have the appropriate course work and credits in the subject area and must take the following courses: ED 742, ED 792.1, ED 763.01, ED 764.5, ED 723.01, ED 764.51, ED 742.2, ED 722.01 and ED 724.01. Students pursuing an Alt B Certificate, (option C above - NYC Teaching Fellows) may substitute their teaching job for student teaching but upon consultation with their advisor must still register for ED 680.1.and must take ED 742, ED 763.01, ED 723.01, ED 742.2, and ED 722.01.