Academic Catalog 2024-2025

English Track A (Thesis Option), Master of Arts

Application Deadlines

Fall Admission: July 15
Spring Admission: November 15

Minimum Requirements for Admission

  • Bachelor of Arts in English or Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science in another discipline
  • Minimum of 2.75 overall G.P.A. in undergraduate studies and 3.0 G.P.A. in the discipline

Qualifications for Graduate Assistantships

  • Highly competitive
  • Limited – three per year (2 semesters); may be renewed for two additional consecutive semesters
  • Maintenance of G.P.A. of 3.5 or above while enrolled in the program
  • Students who achieve 3.4 or above after two semesters of residence are eligible to apply for graduate assistantship consideration

Application Materials1

Students should submit the following materials to the Texas Southern University Graduate School:

  • The online application
  • Academic transcripts from all (attended) institutions of higher learning
  • Application fees
1

All materials are required for admittance consideration

The following materials should be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English:

  • Three letters of recommendation
  • The student’s statement of intent (1-2 pages)
  • A ten to fifteen (10-15) page critical writing sample with bibliography

In order to earn a Master’s degree in English under Track A, a candidate must complete the following departmental requirements:

  1. Thirty (30) hours of graduate work in English inclusive of ENG 837 Thesis In Progress, with an emphasis in African American, American, or British literature) Required Core Courses: ENG 502 Cornerstone Survey, ENG 533 Methods Of Research, and ENG 638 Survey of Lit Theory
  2. A written comprehensive examination
  3. End of program assessment that includes a comprehensive test, research completion, and evaluation
  4. An acceptable thesis based on an investigation of a subject approved by the Department and the University Graduate School
  5. An oral defense of the thesis before the committee of graduate faculty advisors
  6. A completed thesis approved by the University Graduate School

Master of Arts Degree in English

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
ENG 502 Cornerstone Survey 3
ENG 533 Methods Of Research 3
ENG 638 Survey of Lit Theory 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
ENG 530 African American Fiction 3
ENG 735 The British Novel 3
ENG 732 American Novel 3
 Hours9
Second Year
Third Semester
ENG 5XX/6XX/7XX English Elective 3
ENG 5XX/6XX/7XX English Elective 3
ENG 5XX/6XX/7XX English Elective 3
 Hours9
Fourth Semester
ENG 837 Thesis In Progress 3
 Hours3
 Total Hours30