MA in English/Literature

Hello. I am looking for advice, suggestions and information on getting an online, regionally accredited, Master of Arts in English or Literature.

I currently hold a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State College. My ultimate goal is to be able to teach English/Literature classes at the community college level. Since I have a “day-job” right now that has more flexibility (which I need for taking care of my family) and can't really afford to be a high school English/Literature teacher at this point, I am hoping that being an adjunct somewhere will help satisfy my desire to teach for now, at least until I can become a teacher full-time some day.

I am currently looking at the HUX program at California State University (even though it’s in Humanities) so any information/insight on this particular program would be appreciated. Especially information relating to whether graduates were able to teach English/Literature with a "Humanities" MA with a concentration in Literature.

Thanks in advance, any advice/suggestions/help is MUCH appreciated!

 

Typically it is thought that a person needs at least 18 grad credits in a given subject area in order to meet the minimum qualifications for teaching at the college level. The HUX program may not give you that. I am aware of several other programs that might be useful in your search.

Fort Hays State University
U of California - Irvine
U of Maine - Orono

These all have Masters degree programs in English/Liteature however, they all have Summer residency requirements. The only English/Lit Masters programs that I know with no residency requirement are non-US schools. Let me know if you'd consider a non-US school and I'll dig up my list.

 

National University

NU has a standard, general MA in English.

 

Bowling Green State University www.bgsu.edu

 

The University of West Alabama has an MAT in English. It works, since I am teaching full time at a community college (and online adjunct for several others) with this degree.

 

How do the non-US degrees translate for jobs within the US? I apologize, I am totally un-schooled in this area. But if the non-US degrees are applicable here, I would definately consider it. If its not too much trouble, I'd love to see the list of options.

Can anyone give me a pro/con of doing a program outside the US? Any personal experience with using a degree from them to work in the US?

Thanks!

 

no residency at NU

Here is the NU English program with no residency requirements:

http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/CollegeOfLettersAndSciences/ArtsAndHumanities/Programs/Master-Arts-English.html

 

Why not do the WNMU Interdisciplinary Studies program? You could get 18+ English credits which seems to be the usual requirement for teaching at the community college level, plus 18 in one of their education disciplines ... also has the advantage that it is super cheap The main disadvantage of course is that it'd be a "MIS with concentrations in English & ____" instead of "MA in English":

http://www.wnmu.edu/VirtualCampus/InterdisciplinaryMasters.htm

 

Yes, I totally agree that this degree would meet his goals. I actually have considered doing this degree myself.

It just may cause more questions than a "MA in English" ... ie, the "Master of Interdisciplinary Studies" is not as universal, may carry less subjective weight, less panache, etc. Especially if he is up for a job against someone with a MA in English ... the employer may choose the more common degree? (Just speculating here.)

 

Actually, I don't know the answer. That's why I didn't include them in my original listing. It probably wouldn't be too hard tofind out though. Take yourself off to the local CC and ask would be the simplest way.

 

1. You can teach with it in community college, I do!

2. Writing does not overlap with English, because the writing courses are workshops. Think "how to write ____________________." The English courses are more traditional literature courses. Think "let's study ___________ in depth." However, you can take writing courses with the English prefix if you so choose because they are offered in both departments. However, you can not take the traditional English courses as writing courses.

3. You have to know how to market the degree. You have to explain in your resume and cover letter that you have 18 graduate credits in the various areas. I always use a "relevant coursework list" right under my "Education" subtitle and then write the prefix and title of the courses by area so that the person reading the resume can see that I offer not one, but two areas of potential teaching within one degree.

4. Developmental (i.e. remedial) classes are in demand. So any course work in math, reading or writing will probably get your resume a second glance.

 

With an international degree, you have to get it reviewed by one of the international credentialing agencies (naces.org). Their job is to tell you the equivalency of the foreign degree in the US system. Once you get your report that says "This degree is equivalent to a US master's degree in __________", you are free to apply throughout the country. I don't send my original transcripts anymore; I just send a copy of the report and I haven't had any problems thus far.

 

Centenary College (NJ): MA in English Lit.
http://www.centenarycollege.edu/cms/?id=580

Mercy College (NY): MA in English Lit.
https://www.mercy.edu/academics/school-of-liberal-arts/department-of-humanities/ma-in-english-literature/

Union Institute & University: MA in Lit. & Writing
http://www.myunion.edu/academics/master-of-arts/index.html

University of Nottingham (UK): MA in English Studies
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/prospective/distancelearning/index.aspx

http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/english-studies-by-web-based-distance-learning-masters-ma_858.aspx

Deakin Univ.: MA in Writing & Lit.
http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/courses/postgrad/wlit/index.php

 

Nottingham is the standout because they also offer a PhD in English Lit through distance learning.

 

Another American MA in English

If your goal is to teach it seems wise to stick with an American school, since every adjunct job will want a transcript. Louisiana Tech has an online MA in English:

http://www.latech.edu/tech/liberal-arts/english/html/literature/index.shtml

 

This has almost gotten to the sticky thread level of usefullness.

 

M.A. in English (Northwestern State University)

 

This is something I am wondering, too, as I try to decide which path to take -- would an MA in English serve one better than an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentration in English.

 

Here's my logic: 18 credits is the bare minimum for teaching. This is such a saturated market you're bound to be going up against people with PhDs. Take the degree that gives you the most credits in your area. I'm guessing that's the MA English. Best of luck.