English, Initial, M.A.

Program Description

Students develop knowledge of literature and its history and expand their abilities to think analytically and write effectively through advanced study and research in British, American, and other literatures. The M.A. program in English thus prepares students for advanced graduate studies in English (Ph.D.), for pre-professional studies (law, business, and administration), for teaching careers, and for work in related fields (e.g., communications, public relations, publishing, and human resources).

The M.A. in English Licensure Programs prepares students for careers as teachers at the middle school or secondary levels. Students may earn Initial Licensure through an NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) accredited program or earn Professional Licensure. Candidates may elect the M.A. with Professional Licensure Option, a graduate program designed to allow teachers of English who hold initial licensure to become fully certified according to the educational reforms mandated for Massachusetts by the Board of Education. Candidates for certification complete a program that includes four required courses: ENGL 0539 - Advanced Methods of Teaching English , ENGL 0609 - Contemporary Issues in English Teaching , ENGL 0646 - Pre-Capstone Course , and ENGL 0626 - Seminar in English Education Capstone Experience .

Program Objectives

Student will demonstrate advanced understanding of American, British, and diverse literatures.
Student will demonstrate mastery of the concepts of literary theory.
Student will demonstrate the ability to write sophisticated and persuasive literary and rhetorical analysis.
Student will demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research and contribute to an ongoing scholarly conversation in a field of English studies.
Student will demonstrate the ability to present a well-planned, effective, and engaging oral argument.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for Admission to the Program:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 18 hours in English above Composition at the undergraduate level.*
A 3.0 (B) average in all English courses is required, as is a 2.8 overall G.P.A.
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores should be above the 50^th percentile.
A writing sample, preferably a literary essay, is required.

*Students may be required to fulfill undergraduate prerequisites as determined by the Graduate Advisor.

Procedures for Admission to the Program:

Apply for admission to the Westfield State University Graduate Program.
Obtain a Graduate Program of Study form from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the English Department Advisor to complete the Graduate Program of Study form. Secure the signatures of the Advisor, the Department Chair or Program Director, and the Dean of Graduate Studies after completion of the form. Submit this form within the first semester after you have been accepted in the program.

M.A. in English with Initial Licensure (5-8)(8-12) - 34-46 Credits

All requirements for the M.A. in English in addition to the practicum must be completed before the candidate can receive an initial license to teach English.

Prerequisites:

B.A. in English or Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 18 credits in literature courses
(Students may be required to fill undergraduate prerequisites as determined by the graduate advisor)
3.0 (B) average in all English courses is required, as is a 2.8 overall G.P.A.
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores above the 50th percentile
Passing grade on MTEL Communication and Literacy Test
A course in Adolescent Development
A course in History of the English Language or Structure of the English Language
A grammar class is strongly recommended.

Requirements:

A. Courses - 34 Credits

EDUC 0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 0554 - Educational Planning and Evaluation: Middle and/or Secondary Schools Credits: 3
ENGL 0550 - Methods of Teaching English Credits: 3
ENGL 0527 - Contemporary Cross-Cultural Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0583 - Teaching Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0538 - Literature and the Adolescent Credits: 3
12 additional credits in 600-level Literature Courses Credits: 12
ENGL 0646 - Pre-Capstone Course Credits: 1
ENGL 0647 - Research Folio/Capstone Experience Credits: 3

B. Practicum - 40-46 Credits

EDUC 0564 - Practicum: Middle School Credits: 6 (one semester) or
EDUC 0569 - Practicum: Secondary School Credits: 6 (one semester) or
EDUC 0564 & EDUC 0569 Practicum: Middle school & Secondary

Note:

(Students must complete a district practicum experience for each level of licensure).

Students must have passed the MTEL English subject area exam and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in English graduate classes before beginning the practicum. Students seeking licensure for English at the middle school level must also take EDUC 0321 The Middle School and its Students.

C. Foreign Language Competence

Competence in one foreign language (e.g., French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian) is required. This competence may be demonstrated in one of these ways:

Grades of C or better in two semesters of intermediate level undergraduate foreign language study, within 10 years; or
acceptable performance in a national reading competence examination.