MA in English Program Overview
This Is the Way You Want to Earn a Graduate Degree
What comes to mind when you think of pursuing a master’s degree? Cost? Time commitment? No matter your answer, we want you to know that UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in English program is unlike other graduate English programs you may have seen. As a student, you’ll quickly discover our MA in English program is:
- Affordable
Save with our widely acknowledged low tuition rates.
- Personalized
Small class sizes allow for one-on-one attention from our renowned faculty.
- Convenient
Our online program format enables you to complete coursework 24/7 from almost anywhere in the world.
- Accelerated
Finish your degree in as little as a year and a half.
- Flexible
Build your curriculum to match your interests and choose from four different capstone course types.
An In-Depth Online Exploration of English Language and Culture
Our program provides an advanced, in-depth examination of British and American literature by canonical and non-canonical writers of poetry, fiction, and drama, often with an emphasis on the interdisciplinary study of literature and on the structure and complexity of the English language. Through an exploration of past and present literary works, our program provides you with opportunities to relate cultural, historical, aesthetic, social, and psychological issues of literary works to your own psychological, sociopolitical, and cultural conditions today. In the process, you’ll also learn the importance of respecting other people’s perspectives to achieve social and global harmony.
Transform Your Passion Into Professional Opportunities
Many students use our English master’s degree as a stepping-stone to doctoral studies, teaching positions at the high school, community college, or even university level, or careers in communication, advertising, or civil service. There are many paths you can follow, depending on your area of interest. What’s more, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that master’s degree holders earn nearly 20% more than those with a bachelor’s degree alone. Those with higher levels of education also typically enjoy higher rates of employment, according to the BLS, which means our online MA in English can elevate your passion into real professional benefits. Some of the roles you may qualify for with this degree include:
American Literature Core
15-18 credits
ENGL 6377 - History of Poetics
8 weeks
3
This course examines the history of poetics and poetry from form to figuration. We explore the interaction between specific forms and content and how one informs the other. With an eye to the physical nature of poetry, we also study prosody, examining the close proximity to poetry’s origins to dance and music, etc.
ENGL 6360 - Topics in Film and Media: Spielberg Films
16 weeks
3
Studies in film and electronic media like television in relevant historical and critical contexts, including theories of interpretation. Topics could include Film and Theories of Post Humanity; Film, Television and Trauma Theory; Feminist Approaches to Film and Media; Film and Pedagogy, to name a few.
ENGL 6332 - Literature and the Visual Arts
8 weeks
3
This course explores the nonverbal dimensions of literature, in particular its evocations of art and music, that extend verbal discourse and simultaneously articulate what the verbal discourse conceals and silences. NOTE: ENGL 6332 (Literature and the Visual Arts) can be either British or American depending on whether the final paper of the course is on American or a British writer.
British Literature Core
9-12 credits
ENGL 6324 - British Literature 1900-Present
8 weeks
3
Emphasis on fiction, drama, or poetry; major figures include Conrad, Woolf, Joyce, Shaw, Synge, Lawrence, Yeats, O’Casey, Auden. Nonfiction may also be included.
ENGL 6323 - Sensation Fiction
8 weeks
3
This course focuses on sensation novels. Sensation novels, often associated with intense emotions, experienced by characters and readers alike, were not only exceedingly popular but also generated highly negative reviews. More than one hundred years later, these novels continue to intrigue postmodern critics who attempt to understand the implications of these novels in terms of the social constraints these novels fought and the gender, class, legal and moral boundaries they attempted to transgress.
ENGL 6360 - Topics in Film and Media: Hitchcock Films
16 weeks
3
Studies in film and electronic media like television in relevant historical and critical contexts, including theories of interpretation. Topics could include Film and Theories of Post Humanity; Film, Television and Trauma Theory; Feminist Approaches to Film and Media; Film and Pedagogy, to name a few.
ENGL 6332 - Literature and the Visual Arts
8 weeks
3
This course explores the nonverbal dimensions of literature, in particular its evocations of art and music, that extend verbal discourse and simultaneously articulate what the verbal discourse conceals and silences. NOTE: ENGL 6332 (Literature and the Visual Arts) can be either British or American depending on whether the final paper of the course is on American or a British writer.
MA in English Electives
6-18 credits: option 1 or 2 choose 2, option 3 choose 3, option 4 choose 4.
ENGL 6372 - Rhetoric and Composition
16 weeks
3
This course will cover current theory and practice in the teaching of writing. Focus will be twofold: to study the history of contemporary composition and rhetorical theory in order to consider how competing and complementary methodologies have influenced the evolution of pedagogy in the writing classroom and to discuss the practical application of theory for improving as teachers and writers. Emphasis will be given to preparing reflective teachers of composition. This course is required for all students serving as Graduate Teaching Assistants in English.
ENGL 6389 - History of Children’s Literature
8 weeks
3
The intent of this course is to survey the works of major importance in the history of children’s literature in England and in North America from 1740s to present. We will analyze these works mainly from a historical perspective.
ENGL 6330 - Literature and Mythology
8 weeks
3
This course explores the power of myths in shaping the human psyche and in developing cultural and sociopolitical perspectives. Simultaneously it emphasizes the importance of mythology to the understanding of literature, art, and music.
ENGL 6357 - Writing Centers
16 weeks
3
A study of the history, theory, and practice of writing center tutoring and administration.
ENGL 6353 - Topics in Poetry: Creative Writing
8 weeks
3
Comparative studies in epic or lyric poetry.
ENGL 6389 - Literary Fairy Tales
8 weeks
3
The intent of this course is to engage in critical studies of the fairy tale genre by reading and analyzing the most famous tales archetypes of Perrault, the brothers Grimm, Andersen, and some 19th and 20th century British and American tales while introducing multicultural correlating versions. The class will analyze these tales from sociological, psychological, and literary points of view.
MA in English Capstone
1-6 hours. Choose one.
ENGL 6399 - Thesis (6 hours)
N/A
6
Students electing the thesis or scholarly article option will work under the supervision of a major advisor. A maximum of six credits of ENGL 6399 may be counted toward the MA.
ENGL 6399 - Article (6 hours)
N/A
6
Students electing the thesis or scholarly article option will work under the supervision of a major advisor. A maximum of six credits of ENGL 6399 may be counted toward the MA.
ENGL 6390 - Project (3 hours)
N/A
3
A required reading list and faculty guidance are provided for students electing the project rather than the thesis.
ENGL 6195 - Portfolio (1 hour)
N/A
1
One of four degree capstone options.
Students present to their committee and defend three of their graduate papers.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in English or 24 hours of undergraduate English classes at the sophomore level or above from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of Intent: a one-page statement of purpose explaining your qualifications and desire for an MA in English at The University of Texas Permian Basin
- Writing sample
- Include a 10-20 page sample of your writing, preferably a research paper in the discipline of English
- Optional: GRE scores at average percentile or better
Conditional Requirements
If the graduate faculty find a deficiency, such as a GPA below 3.0 but not lower than 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree, conditional acceptance may be granted, provided that the faculty still believe the applicant is prepared for graduate level work.
Other evidence may include:
- Minimum GRE score in English is in the 50% percentile or higher.
- The candidate had strong work experience related to the field of English.
- Evidence of success in career field (e.g., teaching or service awards) and/or candidate’s diverse experiences and perspectives.
NOTE: We look for acceptable GPA, letters, GRE, and writing sample. Each individual member of the English graduate faculty votes on whether or not the applicant should be admitted.
Official Transcripts
Official copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and can be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies Office
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents related the graduate program should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
Electronic versions of supporting documents may be emailed to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
If you have any questions regarding the admission requirements, please email gradstudies@utpb.edu.
We’re pleased to offer program admission on a rolling basis.
Rolling admission refers to our process of accepting and evaluating applications as we receive them and moving any applications that miss the deadline to the next semester. However, if you want to enroll in courses for a specific semester, you will need to make note of the application deadlines found below. If you don’t complete your application and submit the required materials by the deadline, your application will be rolled over to the next semester.