The Master’s of Arts Degree Programs

Introduction

The Department of English offers two tracks to the Master’s of Arts (M. A.) degree, one for our own undergraduate majors (the 4+1 program) and one for students applying from other institutions (the M.A. program).   Students in both programs take courses together, share in the intellectual life of the department, receive assistance in professionalization, and enjoy the benefits of a one-to-one student-faculty ratio as well as dedicated mentoring. 

We have designed these programs carefully to provide students with the tools they need to understand the profession of literary scholarship and teaching.  Each student receives coursework, mentoring, and/or practical experience in

• Critical Theories
• Research Methods
• Literary Fields and Concentrations
• Interdisciplinary Approaches
• Scholarly Presentation and Publication
• Applying to Doctoral Programs or other further study and employment

4+1 Program

The 4+1 program enables selected Tulane undergraduate English majors to obtain a master’s degree in an additional year of study.  The course of study ensures that students will be prepared to succeed in a doctoral program in literary studies, to embark on further studies such as journalism, librarianship, museum curating, or media studies, to enhance their careers as teachers, or simply to enrich their lives.  Students will receive instruction from our faculty members with natiional reputations who provide examples of professional scholarly activity in small seminars:  we are committed to fostering the development of our students through one-on-one mentoring.

Students will serve as research assistants to a faculty mentor in an area of interest to them.

The program requires thirty hours of coursework (10 seminars).  Seminars are offered in American literature and culture, British literature and culture, comparative literature, literature and theory, postcolonial literature, Anglophone literature and culture, African-American literature and culture.  Students may take up to two courses outside the department, with the advice of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).  Students planning to continue with doctoral work may apply to become research assistants and/or enter the pedagogy mentorship program.  Students may wish to concentrate 3 or 4 courses in a particular area, such as American literature or postcolonial studies.

Two courses—Research Methods and Critical Approaches—are required.  Most 4+1 students take two graduate courses during the senior year:  these courses also may count toward the English major.  During the “+1” year, students take four seminars each semester.   

A typical course of study would be:

Students will be assigned a faculty mentor who will assist the student in understanding the nature of literary scholarship and teaching and in applying to jobs or further graduate study.  Students in the graduate program make a significant contribution to the intellectual life of the department:  all programming includes participation by graduate students.  Our “Works In Progress” series features presentations by faculty and graduate students.  The English Graduate Organization hosts regular forums that include paper presentations, workshops, and panels on professionalization.  Students are encouraged to attend conferences and to present conference papers.  The department offers a travel and research budget to qualified students for these purposes.

 
Applying to the 4+1 Program

Undergraduate English majors with excellent grade point averages will be invited to apply in the spring of their junior year, and acceptances will go out before the end of the spring semester.  In some cases, students who are abroad for the junior year (or the spring semester) may have an extended application deadline.  If a student believes he or she qualifies but does not receive such an invitation by March 1, the student should notify the DGS by March 15.  The tuition for this program is substantially reduced:  while students pay the usual Tulane tuition for the senior year, the “+1” year is approximately $10,000. 

Applications must include:

1. Application form, submitted online or downloaded
   and sent to DGS
2. Statement of purpose, part of application form
3. Writing sample (about ten pages), submitted with application to DGS
4. Two letters of recommendation, sent directly from professor to DGS
              

Students who are invited to apply may submit online using application form available at this link (click here), or may download it and submit it to the DGS, by the deadline stated in the letter of invitation.  The application package must include a writing sample (minimum of ten pages, may be more than one essay) that demonstrates ability to analyze literature, preferably indicating familiarity with scholarly research.   The application form asks students to submit a statement of purpose (goals in continuing literary study) which will help guide advising for course selection and professional preparation.  The application requires two letters of recommendation from two professors, preferably in the major, who know you well, submitted directly to the DGS from the professor. 

Please send the application materials to:
Professor Molly Anne Rothenberg
            Director of Graduate Studies--4+1 Program
            Department of English
            Tulane University
            New Orleans, LA 70118

A fee of $45.00 is required by the School of Liberal Arts, payable by credit card online, or, if you are submitting a paper copy of the application form, enclose a check for $45.00 payable to Tulane University.  GRE tests are not required.

M.A. Program

Designed for recent baccalaureate students with majors in English or other literary studies, the M.A. program prepares students for success in a doctoral program in literary studies.  Students interested in careers in fields for which an M.A. in English would be helpful, such as  museum curating, publishing,  journalism or media studies, those wishing to enhance their careers as teachers, or those who wish simply to enrich their understanding of literature, are also encouraged to apply.  The program admits a limited number of excellent students from schools other than Tulane University.  Students will receive instruction from our faculty members with national reputations who provide examples of professional scholarly activity in small seminars:  we are committed to fostering the development of our students through one-on-one mentoring.

Students will serve as research assistants to a faculty mentor in an area of interest to them.

The program consists of 30 hours of coursework (ten courses) or twenty-four hours of coursework (eight courses) and a master’s thesis.  The thesis option involves research and writing that count as the equivalent of two courses in the two semesters of the second year.  Students who choose this option will work with a director and a committee.  Requirements for the thesis option are available from the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

Two courses—Research Methods and Critical Approaches—are required in the first year.  Most students take three seminars each semester in the first year and two seminars each semester in the second year, but students may alter this schedule with advising from the DGS.  Students will serve as research assistants to a faculty mentor in an area of interest to them for at least two semesters.  In the third and/or fourth semesters, students receive mentoring in pedagogy and classroom management, and they may apply to become a teaching assistant to a faculty mentor. 

A typical course of study would be:

Seminars are offered in American literature and culture, British literature and culture, comparative literature, literature and theory, postcolonial literature, Anglophone literature and culture, African-American literature and culture.  Students may take up to two courses outside the department, with the advice of the DGS.   Students may choose to focus three or four courses in areas of concentration, such as American literature or postcolonial studies.  The DGS works with students and faculty to schedule courses to assist students in achieving this goal.   

Students are encouraged to attend conferences and to present conference papers.  The department offers a travel and research budget to qualified students for these purposes. 
Students will receive assistance in researching and applying to doctoral programs.  The department has an excellent record of placing its graduates in the doctoral programs of the student’s choice.  Students who opt to enter the work force or choose to further their studies to prepare for other careers also receive assistance from faculty mentors and special workshops.

Graduate students participate fully in the intellectual life of the department.  Our “Works In Progress” series features presentations by faculty and graduate students.  The English Graduate Organization hosts regular forums that include paper presentations, workshops, and panels on professionalization.  The research assistantships insure that every student will participate in the faculty’s professional research, and the pedagogy mentorship brings students into our continuing departmental discussion about teaching methods.

Applying to the M.A. Program

The program admits students who majored in English (American or British literature) and who graduated from their undergraduate institution with no less than a 3.5 grade point average.  Applicants should have a 650 Verbal GRE score or better and a combined GRE of at least 1200.  The subject test in the GRE is not required. 

Applications must include:

1. GRE scores (Verbal and Quantitative) sent to the School of Liberal Arts
2. Application form, online at the School of Liberal Arts (click here)
3. Statement of Purpose-your specific scholarly goals, part of application form
4. Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate insitutions attended sent directly to the DGS in a signed, unopened envelope
5. Writing sample-a minimum of ten pages of literary analysis, preferably indicating knowledge of scholarly research; may be two five-page essays, sent to the DGS
6. Three letter of recommendation from professors who know you well, submitted online or sent directly from the professor to the DGS.

Please follow the School of Liberal Arts instructions for applying.  The address for the DGS is:
            Professor Molly Anne Rothenberg
            Director of Graduate Studies—MA Program
            Department of English
            Tulane University
            New Orleans, LA 70118

There is an application fee of $45.00 payable by credit card online.