Graduate Programs
The Department of English participates in two degree programs on the graduate level: the M.A. in English, offered jointly with the College of Charleston; and the M.A.T. in English Education, offered in conjunction with The Citadel's School of Education.
For more information on either program, contact Jim Hutchisson, Director of Graduate Studies.
Master of Arts in English (M.A.)
Since 1993 The Citadel's Department of English has cooperated with the Department of English at the College of Charleston to offer an M.A. in English, Although students in the joint M.A. program designate one of the two colleges as their home institution, they take courses at both.
The resources of the Addlestone Library at the College of Charleston and the Daniel Library at The Citadel are well suited to support research and study at the master's level in a number of fields. Including microfilm and microfiche, the two libraries contain over 675,000 volumes. The Small Library subscribes to over 2,000 periodicals and the Daniel Library to approximately 1,500. Both libraries have excellent interlibrary loan services and computer search capabilities. In addition to these resources, graduate students are able to draw upon the holdings of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, the Charleston Library Society, the South Carolina Historical Society, and the Charleston County Library.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work is required, with a cumulative GPR of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Core requirements include two courses in British literature before 1800; two courses in British literature after 1800; two courses in American literature (of which only one may be ENGL 535, 570, 571, 572, or 573). At least one course must be a seminar (English 700). Regardless of the home institution selected by the student, at least nine hours must be taken at the other campus. Electives may be taken in British literature, American Literature, and composition and rhetoric. A six-hour thesis option (English 701) is available for all students. No more than nine hours of English 698, 699, 701, and 702 in any combination may count toward the required 36 hours.)
In addition, all students must demonstrate competency in one foreign language, ancient or modern, and must pass a written comprehensive examination in British and American literature. The comprehensive exam is given every March and October and is based on a reading list that changes every academic year.
Full-time students can usually expect to qualify for the degree in one and a half to two years, part-time students in three to four years.
Admissions
To be considered for admission a student must submit
- a completed application form along with a non-refundable application fee of $30
- official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate credit, including documentation of graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
- at least two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic ability and motivation to successfully complete a graduate degree
- scores from the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test
- a writing sample
- a statement about educational goals and interest in a graduate program.
The Joint Program Committee will decide which applicants will be admitted. Applicants are expected to have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA overall and a 3.0 GPA in the major. Standardized test scores must date from within the past five years; expected scores are at least 45 on the Miller Analogies Test or a GRE composite verbal and quantitative score of at least 1000 and at least a 4 on the Writing Assessment section. In cases where applicants have not majored in English as undergraduates, additional course work at the undergraduate level may be required. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA and/or test score expectations may be admitted as provisional students. After the provisional student has completed nine semester hours of course work, the Joint Program Committee will decide if he or she may continue to pursue the degree.
Graduate Awards
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available that provide up to $7,000 for the academic year.
Concentration in African American Literature
This optional fifteen hour (15) concentration offers advanced course work in African American literature, independent study courses for further exploration into an African American literature topic, and cross discipline opportunities with courses in other departments that have a central concern with African American literature.
Students opting to add a concentration in African American literature must meet the normal requirements for the M.A. In addition, they must complete one of these two courses of study:
Standard Option
- hours of African American literature (any combination of 535, 570, 571, 572, and 573)
- 3 hours of study of an African American topic in another discipline, as approved by the graduate director
- 3 hours of study in an African American topic, such as an independent study or internship, as approved by the graduate director
Thesis Option
- 6 hours of African American literature (any combination of 535, 570, 571, 572, and 573)
- 3 hours of study of an African American topic in another discipline, as approved by the graduate director
- 6 hours of thesis on an African American topic
- A student may substitute 3 hours of independent study on an African American topic (as approved by the graduate director) for any 3 of the 9 hours of coursework.
Additional Information
For more information please contact James Hutchisson, Graduate Coordinator, Department of English, The Citadel, Charleston, SC 29409. Direct e-mail to hutchissonj@citadel.edu
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
The degree of M.A.T. in English Education is administered jointly by the Department of English and The Citadel's School of Education and has been nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). To earn the degree, students take a series of courses in Education. They must also take at least four graduate courses in the content area, one of which must be ENGL 595 Methods and Materials for English Language Arts.
The specific content area requirements for the degree have been established by the NCTE. The Department of English has prepared a chart showing the connection between its courses and these requirements. When a student enters the M.A.T. program, the Department's graduate advisor analyzes his or her undergraduate transcripts to determine which requirements have already been fulfilled and which remain. The graduate advisor then provides a personalized content area program of studies that ensures the student takes courses covering every NCTE content requirement. Depending on the individual student's background in English, the number of required courses could be as few as four or as many as twelve.
With the exception of ENGL 595, graduate courses in English for the M.A.T. degree are offered on a two-year rotating schedule. (595, which is offered once every three semesters, is intended to be taken immediately prior to the student's teaching internship and has School of Education prerequisites.) So as to avoid delays in completing their degrees, students should take their content area required classes whenever they are offered.
- Chart showing the connection between NCTE requirements and Citadel courses
- Tentative schedule for 2008-2010 graduate classes in English Education
Department of English / The Citadel / 171 Moultrie St. / Charleston, SC 29409-6310
engldept@citadel.edu / Ph: 843-953-5068 / Fax: 843-953-1881
