Master of English at East Carolina University

The English is a Master degree offered by East Carolina University at its main campus in Greenville , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 21, 2027.

About Master of English

Are you interested in literary and film analysis, cultural studies, creative writing, language studies, or the study of writing and rhetoric in a wide variety of contexts? Are you interested in teaching English or improving your own writing?

The MA in English program offers eight concentrations: English studies, creative writing, literature, linguistics, multicultural/transnational literatures (offered online), teaching English to speakers of other languages(TESOL), rhetoric and composition, and technical and professional communication (offered online). Students interested in combining courses from several areas can choose the concentration in English Studies. Our campus MA program includes a number of assistantship opportunities that provide students with experiences tutoring, teaching, editing, publishing, and contributing to scholarly and community engagement projects.

Students in the MA program have opportunities to work with several journals, scholarly projects, and the university writing program through tutoring and teaching writing foundations courses. The Department of English is home to three prestigious journals. The North Carolina Literary Review is the premiere journal celebrating the writers and artists of North Carolina. Explorations in Renaissance Culture is a nationally and internationally recognized journal for the study of early modern literature, history, and culture. Tar River Poetry is a nationally and internationally recognized journal that publishes original works by leading poets. Students also have opportunities to work with The Variorum Edition of the Poetry of John Donne and its online project Digital Donne as well as with the Stuart Wright Collection and the Contemporary Writers Series. Students will also have opportunities to conduct research related to the theory and practice of writing and literacy practices given the university's commitment to writing through the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

Department Website
College Website
How Do I Apply
Apply Now

Program Coordinator: Matthew Cox (2211 Bate Building; 252-737-1664; [email protected])

The English, MA offers both a thesis and nonthesis option.

Visit Department of English Master of Arts in English for more information.

The degree requires a minimum of 33 s.h. as follows:

I. Research Methods - 3 s.h.

(Select one of the following courses.)

ENGL 7005 - Research Methods in Literary and Cultural Studies
ENGL 7600 - Research Methods in Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication
ENGL 7702 - Research Methods in Empirical Inquiry

II. Areas of Concentration - 15 s.h.

(Select one of the following areas of concentration.)

A. English Studies

An approved, unified program of study, including courses from at least two concentrations or areas of study for a total of 15 s.h. of coursework chosen from ENGL courses.

B. Creative Writing

Select a maximum of 12 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6840 - Advanced Poetry Writing
ENGL 6850 - Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 6868 - Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 6898 - Advanced Script Writing

Select a minimum of 3 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6865 - Creative Writing
ENGL 6880 - Directed Readings in Creative Writing

C. Linguistics

ENGL 6530 - Descriptive Linguistics

Select 12 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6505 - Linguistic and Cultural History of the English Language
ENGL 6525 - Language and Society
ENGL 6526 - The Structure of English: Phonology and Morphology
ENGL 6527 - The Structure of English: Syntax and Semantics
ENGL 6528 - TESOL: Theories and Principles
ENGL 6531 - TESOL: Methods and Practicum
ENGL 6535 - Principles of Language Testing
ENGL 6680 - Writing Systems of the World
ENGL 7565 - Linguistics, Education, and ESL
ENGL 7605 - Discourse Analysis

D. Literature

Select 12 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 5230 - Southern Regional Literature
ENGL 5330 - Studies in Women's Literature
ENGL 6065 - Topics in Literary Theory and Criticism
ENGL 6151 - Topics in British Literature Before 1800
ENGL 6155 - Topics in British Literature After 1800
ENGL 6220 - Topics in American Literature Before 1865
ENGL 6250 - Topics in American Literature After 1865
ENGL 6270 - Literature and the Environment
ENGL 6390 - Advanced Studies of Science Fiction and Fantasy
ENGL 6515 - Advanced Studies in Children's Literature
ENGL 6575 - Special Topics in Literature

Select 3 s.h. from previous group or from the following courses:

ENGL 6330 - Studies in Latinx Literatures
ENGL 6340 - Ethnic American Literature
ENGL 6345 - Jewish Literature
ENGL 6350 - Studies in Native American Literature
ENGL 6360 - World Literature Written in English
ENGL 6370 - Caribbean Literature
ENGL 6375 - Middle Eastern Literature
ENGL 6380 - Studies in African Literature
ENGL 6420 - Studies in Asian American Literature
ENGL 6450 - Studies in World Indigenous Literatures
ENGL 6460 - Studies in African American Literature
ENGL 6470 - Literary Theory
ENGL 7350 - Seminar in Multicultural and Transnational Literature
ENGL 7365 - Selected Topics in Multicultural and Transnational Literature
ENGL 7465 - Folklore

E. Multicultural and Transnational Literatures

Select 15 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6330 - Studies in Latinx Literatures
ENGL 6340 - Ethnic American Literature
ENGL 6345 - Jewish Literature
ENGL 6350 - Studies in Native American Literature
ENGL 6360 - World Literature Written in English
ENGL 6370 - Caribbean Literature
ENGL 6375 - Middle Eastern Literature
ENGL 6380 - Studies in African Literature
ENGL 6420 - Studies in Asian American Literature
ENGL 6460 - Studies in African American Literature
ENGL 6475 - Multicultural Women's Literatures
ENGL 6480 - LGBTQ+ Theories and Literatures
ENGL 6485 - Disability Studies Theories and Literatures
ENGL 6490 - Multicultural and Transnational Poetry
ENGL 6495 - Transnational Sinophone Cinema
ENGL 6515 - Advanced Studies in Children's Literature
ENGL 7080 - Cultural Studies Theory and Method
ENGL 7300 - Directed Reading in Multicultural and Transnational Literature
ENGL 7350 - Seminar in Multicultural and Transnational Literature
ENGL 7365 - Selected Topics in Multicultural and Transnational Literature
ENGL 7465 - Folklore

F. Rhetoric and Composition

ENGL 6625 - Teaching Composition: Theory and Practice

ENGL 7615 - History and Theory of Rhetoric I OR
ENGL 7620 - History and Theory of Rhetoric II

ENGL 7630 - Cultural Rhetoric and Writing

Select 6 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6000 - Critical Writing in English Studies
ENGL 7615 - History and Theory of Rhetoric I
ENGL 7620 - History and Theory of Rhetoric II
ENGL 7665 - Rhetoric and Composition
ENGL 7950 - Issues in Teaching Composition
ENGL 7960 - Methods of Teaching English in the Two-Year College
ENGL 7975 - Developmental English in the Two-Year College
ENGL 8600 - Seminar in Writing Studies and Pedagogy
ENGL 8615 - Seminar in Rhetorical Theory
ENGL 8630 - Seminar in Community and Cultural Rhetorics

G. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

ENGL 6528 - TESOL: Theories and Principles
ENGL 6530 - Descriptive Linguistics
ENGL 6531 - TESOL: Methods and Practicum

Select 6 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6505 - Linguistic and Cultural History of the English Language
ENGL 6525 - Language and Society
ENGL 6526 - The Structure of English: Phonology and Morphology
ENGL 6527 - The Structure of English: Syntax and Semantics
ENGL 6535 - Principles of Language Testing
ENGL 6680 - Writing Systems of the World
ENGL 7565 - Linguistics, Education, and ESL
ENGL 7605 - Discourse Analysis

H. Technical and Professional Communication

ENGL 6702 - Research Methods in Technical and Professional Communication

Select 12 s.h. from the following courses:

ENGL 6700 - Information Design and Production
ENGL 6715 - Foundations of Technical and Professional Communication
ENGL 6721 - Technical Editing
ENGL 6725 - Directed Readings in Technical and Professional Writing
ENGL 6740 - Internship in Technical and Professional Communication
ENGL 6741 - Internship in Technical and Professional Communication
ENGL 7705 - Ethical Issues in Professional Communication
ENGL 7712 - Grant and Proposal Writing
ENGL 7721 - Managing Editing and Publication Processes
ENGL 7735 - Cultural Issues in Technical Communication
ENGL 7745 - Teaching Professional Communication
ENGL 7746 - Training in Professional Communication
ENGL 7750 - Writing Public Science
ENGL 7755 - Health and Medical Rhetorics
ENGL 7765 - Technical and Professional Communication
ENGL 7766 - Special Studies Seminars in Communication and Emerging Technologies
ENGL 7770 - New Media and Digital Literacies
ENGL 7775 - User Experience (UX) Design
ENGL 7780 - Theory of Professional Communication
ENGL 7790 - Public Interest Writing

III. ENGL Electives - 9 s.h.

Electives outside the department may be approved by the director of graduate studies.

IV. Options - 6 s.h.

(Select one of the following options.)

A. Thesis Option (6 s.h.)

The thesis demonstrates the student's ability to gather, arrange, and interpret material which bears on a particular problem.

ENGL 7000 - Thesis (3 s.h.)
Elective

B. Nonthesis Option (6 s.h.)

The comprehensive assessment project (CAP) is designed in consultation with a faculty member and carries no course credit. This option requires students to complete an additional 6 s.h. of electives.

CAP Project (0 s.h.)
Electives (6 s.h.)

Note:

Successful defense of thesis or comprehensive project is required.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of English at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of English

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

English Language and Literature, General
Grant-writing, fund-raising, and providing outreach
Developer, Curator of information for Social Media
Developer, materials and textbooks for language arts cour
Public Information Officers for businesses/municipalities
Technical Documentation for Industry
Teacher, English or English to Speakers of other languages
Problem Solving related to language and pattern recognition

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of English at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of English at East Carolina University

Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

Ready to apply now? Great!

If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
Use a personal email account (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, AOL) when setting up your ECU application account. Please refrain from creating an account using any ECU associated emails because doing so may prevent you from receiving important email communication from us.

Master of English at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville