Our master’s degree in English will enable you to explore language's power in historical and contemporary contexts. You will develop strong analytical and communication skills and find opportunities for original research. The program emphasizes independent research and writing scholarly papers based on a critical understanding of literature’s aesthetic and the humanistic values of its social, historical, and cultural significance.
Master of Arts
Literature Concentration with thesis
For students who choose the literature option, graduate study in English provides an opportunity to develop skills in literary scholarship and criticism through an intensive study of British and American literature. The program emphasizes independent research—using both print and electronic sources—and the writing of scholarly papers based on a critical understanding of literature’s aesthetic and humanistic values and of its social, historical and cultural significance.
Master of Science
Optional Teacher Licensure or Literature Concentration without thesis
Students who choose the English education option may receive the M.S. degree with initial teacher licensure or add an M.S. endorsement to an existing license. Students who choose the literature option will have an emphasis on independent research and the writing of scholarly papers.
With a master’s in English, further graduate study programs are available to you, including an English doctorate or pursuing law school.
You also have the opportunity to work across industries in roles like publishing, teaching, human resources, academic advising, marketing, public relations, professional writing, and user experience (UX) design.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship Essay:
In addition to the standard application materials, applicants for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship must also submit an essay following the guidelines below. (This essay should be uploaded as part of your main Radford University Graduate Application.) For full funding consideration, please apply by March 1.
Becoming an effective teacher draws on the skills involved in being a successful student, but it also requires the ability to communicate those skills to others. In an essay of 3-4 double-spaced pages, discuss why you feel that you could be an effective teacher of writing at the college level. Use the following questions as a starting point:
16-20 full-time students per cohort
16-20
full-time students per cohort
4 learning tracks for a unique educational experience
4 learning tracks
for a unique educational experience
In the graduate teaching fellowship, students work on teams with a faculty mentor and fellow students to design and offer first-year college writing courses. They develop confidence in the classroom and critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that translate into their later careers.
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