Frequently Asked Questions – English MA Program
Compiled Fall 2014, Revised Spring 2021
What is a candidacy form, and when is it due?
What if the student takes courses not listed on the candidacy form?
How do transfer credits show up on a graduate transcript?
- The Graduate School inputs transfer credits when the candidacy form is submitted.
- Students should submit the candidacy form as soon as possible so that their Degree Works transcript reflects an accurate number of credit hours earned.
- A maximum of 12 graduate-level credit hours of transfer work from an approved regionally or nationally accredited institution may be applied to a degree program or certificate of advanced study upon departmental/adviser approval. To be accepted, transfer credits must have been completed within the 6-year period preceding the date of graduation, and the student must have received a grade of B or higher.
Must all students take the MA comps exam?
All English MA students must pass the comps exam in order to receive the degree.
There are two style comp exams—the old exam, which was given between 2014-2020 (which some current students may opt to take) and the new exam, which takes effect in Spring 2021.
Old exam (2014-2020): Students must choose 18 texts in three different areas (four primary and two secondary from British Lit, American Lit, and World Lit or Critical Theory) as their reading list for the exam.
- Students write an exam, answering questions in each of the three areas above (the graduate committee provides 2 questions in each area; students choose one of the two questions and must complete all three).
- The exam is reviewed by the graduate committee, and the student is notified of the results by the graduate coordinator, who will also provide them feedback from the committee.
- The exam is given the second Saturday of September for the fall, and the second Saturday of February for the spring.
- The comps exam is non-credit-bearing and can be retaken twice if the student fails.
New Exam (2021): The new exam is based on the field essay model.
- The student identifies two faculty members to work with and provides the faculty member with a bibliography of 4 primary and 6 secondary sources (including journal articles and book chapters), as well as a one paragraph outline of the field they are proposing to study.
- Students should submit this documentation, as well as a candidacy form signed by both professors (please email the graduate coordinator for the form), to the graduate coordinator before the beginning of the semester in which they intend to write.
- The student produces a 15-20 pages essay for each question.
- Drafts of these essays are due the Friday of the 8th week of the semester. Revisions are due the Friday of the 12th week of the semester. Final revisions are due the Monday of the last full week of classes. These due dates are firm!
- Essays are graded on a pass/fail basis, though faculty may choose a “pass with distinction” designation for a particularly exemplary essay.
- Students meet with the graduate committee the last day of CEP to discuss their exams
- If a student does not pass a question, they need to formally request that the faculty member continue to work with them. If the faculty member declines, they need to formulate a new question.
- Save extenuating, documented emergencies (serious illness, death of a family member, etc.) the exam is to be completed in ONE semester.
Must all students write a thesis?
- No. The thesis is a self-designed writing project that a student pursues with the guidance of two faculty members. See the Thesis Guidelines handout (available from the MA coordinator or on the English MA webpage) for more details.
- The thesis class, ENG 695, is worth 6 credits. The credits are assigned only after the student completes and submits the thesis.
- Students may alternately take additional course work to complete their final 6 credit hours.
