M.A. in English
West Chester University's Master of Arts in English program features diverse, innovative courses in literature, rhetoric, composition, pedagogy, language study, creative writing, book history, media, editing, and literary and cultural critical theory.
Our M.A. in English engages students intellectually and creatively through a stimulating curriculum and internationally recognized faculty. Many of our faculty have received prestigious grants and fellowships from leading agencies and institutions, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, and the Fulbright Scholar Program. Each professor you'll encounter in WCU's Master of Arts in English is committed to innovative, student-centered teaching and one-on-one mentorship.
Students enjoy a highly supportive environment that nurtures scholarly development, heightens cultural literacy, hones communication skills, fosters problem-solving abilities, and cultivates intellectual and personal growth through small class sizes and attentive faculty mentoring. We prepare students to succeed in advanced graduate programs (such as the Ph.D. in English or the M.F.A. in Creative Writing), teach English in secondary schools or two-year colleges, and excel in a range of careers that value writing expertise and analytical thinking.
WCU delivers a high-quality education at one of the lowest tuition rates in the region. Students can also apply for Graduate Assistantships, which offer valuable work experience while helping to offset costs. The English program provides flexible full- and part-time study options, with year-round evening courses designed to fit the schedules of busy professionals.
Program Highlights:
- Competitive tuition
- Graduate assistantships
- Flexible program with full- and part-time study options
- Mentoring relationship with nationally and internationally recognized faculty
- Academic and professional experience through College Literature, the WCU Poetry Center and WCU’s Writing Center
- Graduate Certificate in Publishing available
Which Track is Right for Me?
West Chester University's Master of Arts in English offers three engaging tracks to align with your interests and career goals - Literature; Creative Writing; and Writing, Teaching, & Criticism. Regardless of your track, you'll enjoy a highly supportive environment that nurtures scholarly development, heightens cultural literacy, hones communication skills, fosters problem-solving abilities, and cultivates intellectual and personal growth.
All tracks comprise 36 credit hours (12 graduate courses), require a capstone experience, and share a six-credit common core: ENG 500 (The Discipline of English Studies) and ENG 501 (Critical Theory).
Literature Track
The Literature Track offers a breadth of courses in American and World Literature and gives students advanced training in critical interpretation and theory. The track enables students to build on their undergraduate coursework, improve their teaching of literature, or prepare for enrollment in a Ph.D. program. Students in the Literature Track may pursue a thesis or non-thesis option: while the thesis option is recommended for students who want the experience of researching and writing on a focused question or problem over multiple semesters, others may prefer the additional coursework provided by the non-thesis option.
Literature Track Advising Sheet (Thesis)
Literature Track Advising Sheet (Non-Thesis)
Creative Writing Track
The Creative Writing Track enables students to develop their craft through interactive workshops and individualized feedback. Our small class sizes allow students to workshop their writing and work with nationally recognized writers and scholars. Students can also experience Aralia Press, a literary fine press at WCU, and take part in the WCU Poetry Conference sponsored by the WCU Poetry Center. All students who choose the Creative Writing Track must write a creative thesis—a portfolio of original fiction, creative non-fiction, or poetry that includes a critical section considering the student's literary influences and connections with contemporary literary traditions.
Creative Writing Track Advising Sheet
Creative Writing Course Catalog
Writing, Teaching, and Criticism Track
The WTC Track combines theory and classroom practices in rhetoric and composition, pedagogy, and literary studies. Designed primarily for teachers of language arts and secondary English, it enables students to explore the latest developments in the study and teaching of English through small class sizes and individualized concentrations. The WTC Track also allows students to work with the nationally recognized West Chester Writing Project (WCWP) through coursework and related programs. Although the track was created with teachers in mind, any student interested in the intersection of language, teaching, and literature is welcome.
Writing, Teaching, and Criticism Track Advising Sheet (Thesis)
Writing, Teaching, and Criticism Track Advising Sheet (Non-Thesis)
Writing, Teaching, and Criticism Track Course Catalog
Course Offerings
Our course offerings are extensive and flexible, with classes focused on pedagogical theory and practice; literary, cultural, and rhetorical theory; editing and publishing; creative writing; English, American, and comparative literatures; rhetoric and composition; and linguistics. Classes meet in the late afternoon and evenings, and enrollment averages 16-18 students per class. Students should select courses in consultation with the graduate advisor. For more information on our course offerings, please view the following resources:
- Graduate Catalog Course Descriptions
- Graduate Course Descriptions for Spring 2025
- For past graduate course descriptions, please see the EnglishGraduateStudents page on D2L (current graduate students only).
Additional Academic Offerings
The English Department also participates in a Graduate Certificate in Publishing and Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL M.A.) program. Our Graduate Publishing Certificate prepares students for diverse careers in publishing and new media. The interdisciplinary TESOL M.A. program equips participants to teach English to ESL students.
Outcomes:
- Strong record of success among our graduates as academics and teachers
- 100% student placement rate in fully funded and ranked doctoral programs for the past five years.
- Recent alumni professions include literary agent, college VP of Academic Success, associate provost, professional writers and researchers, screenwriter, association executives, writing center and academic advising roles, content developer, social media strategist, and more.
Student Opportunities
From award-winning journals to writing conferences, clubs and organizations, English graduate students at WCU enjoy numerous opportunities to expand their learning experience beyond the classroom and benefit from collaboration around shared interest.
West Chester Center for Book History
Apply Now