MA in English/Literature

But if you had an MAIS with 18 credits in two areas, would that give you more of a chance of landing a job than having an MA in with all the credits in one area? I'd like to have the degree that would give me the best chance of landing a job.

And while I'm at it, would the MFA be better for that purpose than the MA since the MFA is a terminal degree?

 

Since your original posting said you wanted to teach English Lit I assumed that was the only thing you wanted to teach. An MFA (in Creative Writing) isn't necessarily going to qualify you to teach English Lit (again, if that's what you want to teach).

 

At this point, I just want to get the degree that would give me the best chance of getting a job in the area or areas I'm drawn to -- literature, writing, and religion. And I've trying to decide between National's MA or MFA, WNMU's MAIS in English/Writing, and Baker U.'s MLA with concentrations in literature and religion.

 

I'm not sure how this works for Creative Writing, but in my field, Film/video/3dAnimation a MFA will definitely give you more opportunities. I normally check the jobs section of the Chronicle of Higher Education and it's not uncommon to see Job Ads asking for terminal degrees in those fields, MFA or PhD (Phd are very rare in those field here in the USA, but somewhat common in Europe, so that's why they ask for any of both).

 

Thanks for the tip on the Chronicle of Higher Education. In looking through the Jobs section, a few things become apparent: you can teach community college writing and literature courses with an MFA, but you would have a difficult time getting a job in a 4-year college with just an MA, and even more so with an MLA with 18 credits in two areas. I did see one community college advertising a position in philosophy and English, and asking for 18 hours in each area.

So, it seems an MFA would serve you better than an MAIS or MLA, giving you more possibilities.

 

You can list the Interdisciplinary Studies degree on your resume or CV as "MIS, English and Writing, Western New Mexico University" or as MA, Interdisciplinary Studies: English and Writing, Western New Mexico University". I've done both and I've worked as an English instructor in college with no problems. Like many people have posted, English is a saturated field, but there are so many places, community colleges included who want instructors for remedial writing courses. Many PhD holders do not look forward to teaching those classes, so yes, there are positions available. In addition, colleges are opening up Writing Centers, and need people who have specialized in Writing to run them and teach, so this is a new and upcoming possibility. The best way to predict which way to go is to call or email hiring deans and professors and ask them, and talk to people who have completed either degree and see what the response has been. Look at the hiring ads. Most colleges specify what they want. From my experience, it really depends on where you are trying to go. Do you want to teach at strictly online schools? Are you interested in community college teaching? Do you want to teach at a traditional R1 university? Whatever you decide will determine which path to determine. Hope this helps!

 

Online, cc, or traditional coleges, and I want a degree that will give me the most possibilities.

Farina, I'm glad you replied here. I believe you were in National's program but switched to WNMU? So, I value your opinion.

If I got an MA, I would probably need to continue with a doctorate, but I don't know of any totally distance creative writing doctorates. But National's MFA now will cost almost $20000, nearly three times the cost of WNMU's MAIS. I don't see how I can afford that. On the other hand, since it's a terminal degree i wouldn't incur any further expenses, whereas with the MAIS I would if I had to go for a doctorate.

I wish I could figure this out.

 

I have a friend working on a MA in English online at Morehead State University who seems to be enjoying it.
Morehead State University - Graduate Program in English: Online Program (Graduate)

 

Looks like a good and interesting program, but I'm not taking the GRE to get into grad school. If a 3.86 gpa isn't evidence enough of ability to do graduate level work, then I won't apply. I'm too old for hoop jumping.

 

Done .....

 

Actually, the MA in Humanities with Literature emphasis will meet the 18-hour rule. First, you take 3 out of 5 2-hour "Defining the Humanities" classes, and you choose between History, Philosophy, Literature, Art, and Music. It would make sense that one doing the Literature emphasis would choose "Defining the Humanities: Literature" as one of their classes. Then, you take 12 hours in your field of emphasis. After that, you have 6 hours of minor and supporting classes. Then you top that off with a 6-hour thesis. Thus, you have: 2 hours Defining the Humanities, 12 hours in the area of emphasis, and 6 hours of thesis, which gives you 20 hours of Literature credits, thus fulling the 18-hour rule.

 

(Unless whoever's counting doesn't count them as literature credits because they're taught through a humanities department and coded HUX 5** rather than being taught through a literature, English, etc. department and being prefixed LIT, ENG, etc.)

 

This is just funny.

 

Yes, and my state department of education would have an issue with the prefixes.

 

Hopefully most department chairs are smart enough to notice a literature class regardless of course prefix.

 

2004 thread with a helpfully cautionary story from marilynd: CSUDH MA Humanities and Teaching.

 

SACS will also have an issue with trying to teach either English or Literature with the degree. I have a Masters in Counseling and there were over 18 hours that were listed as some type of Psychology but SACS would not approve them as Psychology courses since they were listed as COUN.

 

I graduated earlier this year in May with an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (History and English) from WNMU. I will be starting a new job as a professional writing and reading tutor for growing writing center at a local community college starting at the beginning of October.

Depending on your background and experience, I believe the MAIS degree is affordable, versatile depending on your areas of concentration, and marketable to employers. I know if my case, I was looking for a degree that was affordable and versatile because my interests are varied and I wanted to be able to apply for different jobs in different area. Once I gain some experience tutoring/teaching for the school, I hope to also teach some History and/or English classes as an adjunct.

 

I teach English full-time at a community college here in Hickory, NC. I had a Masters in Counseling (used to work in mental health---AAUUGGGHHH!!!), and went right back to school and got my MA in English (writing track) at UNC-Charlotte. I began as an adjunct and was hired full-time about 18 months later. Typically, you must have at least 18 graduate hours in the specific discipline you would be teaching to be considered. But the truth is that a lot of people have that and never get a look. I have always believed the best way to get a full-time community college teaching position is to go the adjunct route, making it clear from the beginning that you want to teach full-time in the same field. If you can teach the courses satisfactorily and work well with other people, you are way ahead in the running when a full-time position comes open. You need to know your subject, but it is also about attitude, being a team player, having the ability to get along with co-workers, etc. Best of luck to you!
storypeddler

 

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