Master of Arts in English

Saint Louis University’s Master of Arts in English provides students with scholarly training in a variety of literary fields and in the study of rhetoric and composition.
The non-thesis option for the Master of Arts in English degree requires 30 credits of coursework beyond the B.A. The article option permits students to submit a polished, article-length essay for three of the 30 credits of coursework. The thesis option permits students to substitute a thesis for six of the 30 required credits of coursework. All three options are typically completed in two years.

M.A. students planning to teach at Saint Louis University are required to take a class in the teaching of writing and all must take courses in the methods of literary research and critical theory, as well as courses in four out of five required areas.

At the conclusion of their coursework, students take a one-and-a-half-hour oral exam. Students pursuing the essay and thesis options select a topic in consultation with a director. A board consisting of the director and two other faculty members reviews each student's completed thesis.
Learning Outcomes-
Graduates will be able to demonstrate a foundational knowledge of literaryrhetorical histories, aesthetics, cultures and emerging areas of inquiry, including an awareness of cultural diversity within literary traditions.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research expectations and theoretical approaches, requisite for advanced study in English, including appropriate research resources and tools.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate an ability to engage productively with relevant critical debates through written and spoken arguments.

Most admitted students meet the following criteria:

High levels of academic distinction, at well-regarded colleges and universities with rigorous B.A./M.A. programs.

High GPA (3.7 and above in English).

Identified fields/areas of intended study, possible thesis/dissertation topics, and specific faculty in the department with whom students might wish to work.

Professional goal statement that aligns well with the curricula the department offers. The statement should be no more than 750 words and should lay out professional and intellectual goals as well as the interest in graduate studies in English. While plans may change, this statement will help the department assess the grasp of the field and the ability to describe ideas coherently and compellingly. The statement should address:

• The specific field of English studies of interest to students
• How students would like to contribute to existing research and criticism in the area of interest.
• The critical and scholarly approaches to literature students have found most productive.
• The faculty members students would prefer to work with.

Sufficient TOEFL score (for international students).

English Language Proficiency Requirements

To ensure a successful academic experience at Saint Louis University, we require international applicants to demonstrate they are proficient in the English language by submitting scores from any one of the following standardized tests:

IELTS minimum score of 6.5; Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) minimum score of 80; Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) minimum score of 550; PTE minimum score of 54; Duolingo minimum score of 125.

Application Deadline

Completed applications are due by January 19. Students cannot begin the program in the spring semester or a summer session.