Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Master of Arts in English

The Department of English offers two tracks leading to the M.A. degree, the choice of which depends on the student's academic and professional goals. Track I requires a minimum of 30 semester hours, and track II requires 36 semester hours. Students pursuing this degree take a comprehensive exam, which can take the form of a traditional short essay exam or an evaluated final capstone project.

Students pursuing the M.A. in English may choose one of five areas of study: education in English language arts; general studies in English (online or hybrid); literature and rhetoric/writing; literature, film, and culture; and writing and rhetoric. Substitutions within each area of study may be made at the discretion of the department's director of graduate studies.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Admission

Students seeking admission to the M.A. program in the Department of English must meet all the requirements for admission to the NIU Graduate School. In addition to the standard requirements for graduate admission, the master's program requires degree-seeking applicants to submit the following materials:

Baccalaureate Field: A B.A./B.S. in English is required to be considered for admission. Outstanding candidates from other related fields with substantial course work in English will also be considered.
Grade Point Average: At least 3.0/4.00 GPA is required overall and a 3.2/4.0 minimum GPA in English content courses.
Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your ability to be successful in the completion of a graduate-level degree program. The individuals who submit a letter for you should be individuals who have a professional or academic relationship with you.
Personal Statement: Your personal statement should outline your preparation for graduate study in your chosen field, as well as your goals for graduate school and beyond. In the statement, also explain why you believe the program at NIU can best help you meet your goals.
Writing Sample: A writing sample, ideally in the area of English studies you wish to pursue, no longer than 3,000 words (excluding Works Cited and notes, if applicable). It should illustrate your ability to communicate a well-organized theory or concept.

Deadlines: Applications for the fall semester (August) enrollment will be reviewed beginning on March 1 and for the spring semester (January) enrollment will be reviewed beginning on September 15.

The Admissions Subcommittee of the department's Graduate Studies Committee examines and weighs each applicant's credentials in light of the requirements listed above, balancing each requirement with the others in order to estimate the potential for success that the “package” suggests. Excellent letters of recommendation or writing sample, for example, may compensate for slightly insufficient GPA.

Track I

Track I requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit in the Department of English and is designed to prepare students for graduate work at the doctoral level. Students in this track must pass a proficiency examination in a language other than English. The choice of language is subject to departmental approval. Alternatively, if they are fluent in a language other than English, students may demonstrate linguistic proficiency by petitioning the Director of Graduate Studies with proof of their fluency in that language. (For other means of demonstrating language proficiency, refer to “Language and Research-Tool Requirement” in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.) The student’s graduate advisor may permit limited study in fields closely related to English (subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies).

Track II

Track II requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit, including 27 semester hours in the Department of English. This track is designed for students who are currently teaching in secondary schools or community colleges or who plan to teach at one of these levels, whether in literature, composition, or professional, technical writing; students who plan to teach English as a second language; students who seek careers as technical writers, editors, or trainers; students interested in other careers, such as business or public relations, that require strong written communication skills; and practicing professionals in any other professional field seeking to sharpen their written communication skills. A graduate advisor and the student design a program of study (subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies) which must include 9 semester hours of study in subjects other than English and American literature, such as courses within and outside the department in the teaching of English, rhetoric, creative writing and composition, technical writing, linguistics, reading, mass media, public relations, or others that contribute to the student’s professional development.

Areas of Study

Education in English Language Arts

This area of study is primarily designed for English language arts professionals who are currently teaching in U.S. schools (or American International Schools) and students interested in educator licensure for teaching secondary English language arts in U.S. middle schools and high schools (or American International Schools).

ENGL 601 - Bibliography and Methods of Research Credits: 3

Three of the following (9)

ENGL 604 - Topics in Materials for the English Language Arts Classroom Credits: 3
ENGL 622 - Theories and Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Credits: 3
OR LTIC 520 - Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language in Content Areas Credits: 3
ENGL 623 - Second Language Acquisition Credits: 3
OR LTIC 545 - Applied Linguistics for Teachers in Multilingual Classrooms Credits: 3
ENGL 646 - Theory and Research in Literature for English Language Arts Credits: 3
ENGL 647 - Theory and Research in Written Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 648 - Materials and Methods of Teaching English Language Arts Credits: 3
ENGL 697 - English Institute Credits: 1-6

Electives in Language, Rhetoric, and Literature (18-24)

In consultation with the advisor, the student should choose at least one course from linguistics, one from rhetoric (one semester of ENGL 600 may be used to satisfy the rhetoric requirement), and three from literature.
Among the three literatures courses, the student is required to take one diverse literature course that provides significant exposure to, immersion in, and dialogue with historically marginalized subject positions from the following: ENGL 602D, ENGL 671, ENGL 693A, ENGL 693B, ENGL 693C, ENGL 693D, or any literature course or topics class designed to include substantial diversity content, with approval of advisor.

General Studies in English (online or hybrid)

This degree is tailored for teachers and other working professionals seeking the M.A. in English as a terminal degree, allowing for a general study of literary history and analysis, writing and rhetoric, and linguistics. It can be completed 100% online through selecting from the department’s available online course options or hybrid by selecting the department’s available online and in-person course options.

British Literature (3)

ENGL 607 - Topics in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 635 - Middle English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 636 - Beowulf Credits: 3
ENGL 637 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 638 - 16th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 639 - English Drama to 1600 Credits: 3
ENGL 640 - English Drama: 1600-1660 Credits: 3
ENGL 641 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 642 - 17th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 643 - Spenser Credits: 3
ENGL 644 - Milton Credits: 3
ENGL 656 - Restoration and Early 18th Century Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 657 - Later 18th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 658 - English Drama: 1660-1800 Credits: 3
ENGL 659 - 18th Century English Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 660 - British Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 661 - Victorian Poetry: 1830-1880 Credits: 3
ENGL 662 - 19th Century British Prose Credits: 3
ENGL 663 - 19th Century British Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 664 - British Literature: 1880-1920 Credits: 3
ENGL 665 - British Literature Since 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 666 - 20th Century British Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 667 - 20th Century British Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 668 - 20th Century British Fiction Credits: 3

American Literature (3)

ENGL 607 - Topics in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 676 - American Literature to 1830 Credits: 3
ENGL 677 - American Literature: 1830-1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 678 - American Literature: 1865-1910 Credits: 3
ENGL 679 - 19th Century American Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 681 - American Literature: 1910-1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 682 - American Literature Since 1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 684 - 20th Century American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 685 - 20th Century American Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 687 - 20th Century American Drama Credits: 3

Diverse Literature (3)

ENGL 607 - Topics in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 671 - Postcolonial Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature B. Native American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature C. Latina/Latino American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature D. Special Topics Credits: 3
Advisor approved course Credits: 3

Electives (9-15 hours, depending on track 1 or 2)

Electives (9-15 hours, depending on track 1 or 2)

6 hours must be in the Department of English

Capstone (3)

ENGL 695 - Master’s Capstone Credits: 3

Literature and Rhetoric/Writing

ENGL 601 - Bibliography and Methods of Research Credits: 3
OR ENGL 625 - Methods of Research in Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 603 - Traditions in Written Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 610 - Rhetoric of Prose Composition Credits: 3

Course work in rhetoric and communication (6-9)

ENGL 600 - Practicum in Teaching University Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
A. History of Literary Theory
ENGL 604 - Topics in Materials for the English Language Arts Classroom Credits: 3
ENGL 626 - Technical Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 627 - Technical Editing Credits: 3
ENGL 629 - Topics in Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 630 - Theory and Research in Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 632 - Writing for Digital Media Credits: 3
ENGL 700 - Topics in the Teaching of College English Credits: 3
ENGL 703 - Seminar: Rhetorical Studies Credits: 3
COMS 600 - The Classical Tradition in Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
COMS 602 - Contemporary Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
COMS 603 - Seminar in Public Rhetoric Credits: 3
COMS 604 - Methods of Rhetorical Criticism Credits: 3
COMS 605 - Theory and Uses of Argument Credits: 3
COMS 606 - Communication Ethics Credits: 3
COMS 610 - Symbolic Behavior and Communication Credits: 3
COMS 640 - Seminar in Communication and Gender Credits: 3
COMS 707 - Seminar in Persuasion Credits: 3
COMS 760 - Seminar in Rhetoric Credits: 3
When topic is contemporary social movements or political rhetoric.

Course work in literature with at least one course from each of the following groups (12-15)

British Literature to 1660 (3)

ENGL 635 - Middle English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 636 - Beowulf Credits: 3
ENGL 637 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 638 - 16th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 639 - English Drama to 1600 Credits: 3
ENGL 640 - English Drama: 1600-1660 Credits: 3
ENGL 641 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 642 - 17th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 643 - Spenser Credits: 3
ENGL 644 - Milton Credits: 3
ENGL 736 - Seminar: Medieval Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 737 - Seminar: Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 738 - Seminar: 16th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 741 - Seminar: Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 742 - Seminar: 17th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 744 - Seminar: Milton Credits: 3

British Literature 1660-1900 or American Literature to 1900 (3)

ENGL 656 - Restoration and Early 18th Century Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 657 - Later 18th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 658 - English Drama: 1660-1800 Credits: 3
ENGL 659 - 18th Century English Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 660 - British Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 661 - Victorian Poetry: 1830-1880 Credits: 3
ENGL 662 - 19th Century British Prose Credits: 3
ENGL 663 - 19th Century British Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 664 - British Literature: 1880-1920 Credits: 3
ENGL 676 - American Literature to 1830 Credits: 3
ENGL 677 - American Literature: 1830-1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 678 - American Literature: 1865-1910 Credits: 3
ENGL 679 - 19th Century American Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 756 - Seminar: Restoration and 18th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 762 - Seminar: 19th Century British Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 764 - Seminar: British Literature, 1880-1920 Credits: 3
ENGL 776 - Seminar: American Literature to 1830 Credits: 3
ENGL 777 - Seminar: 19th Century American Literature Credits: 3

Literature in English since 1900: British, American, and/or Postcolonial (3)

ENGL 665 - British Literature Since 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 666 - 20th Century British Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 667 - 20th Century British Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 668 - 20th Century British Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 671 - Postcolonial Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 681 - American Literature: 1910-1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 682 - American Literature Since 1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 684 - 20th Century American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 685 - 20th Century American Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 687 - 20th Century American Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 765 - Seminar: 20th Century British Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 783 - Seminar: 20th Century American Literature Credits: 3

Diverse Literatures (3)

ENGL 671 - Postcolonial Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3 A. African American Literature
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3 B. Native American Literature
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3 C. Latina/Latino American Literature
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3 D. Special Topics
English course with approval of academic advisor (3)

Electives (0-6)

Literature, Film, and Culture

Required Methodology (3)

ENGL 601 - Bibliography and Methods of Research Credits: 3

Literary Criticism and Theory or History of the Language (3)

ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism A. History of Literary Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism B. Contemporary Literary Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism C. Interpretation of Literary Texts Credits: 3
ENGL 602 - Literary Theory and Criticism D. Feminist Literary Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGL 611 - History of the English Language Credits: 3

Early English Literature (3)

ENGL 612 - Old English Credits: 3
ENGL 613 - Middle English Credits: 3
ENGL 635 - Middle English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 636 - Beowulf Credits: 3
ENGL 637 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 638 - 16th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 639 - English Drama to 1600 Credits: 3
ENGL 643 - Spenser Credits: 3

British Literature from 1600-1800 (3)

ENGL 640 - English Drama: 1600-1660 Credits: 3
ENGL 641 - Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 642 - 17th Century Prose and Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 644 - Milton Credits: 3
ENGL 656 - Restoration and Early 18th Century Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 657 - Later 18th Century English Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 658 - English Drama: 1660-1800 Credits: 3
ENGL 659 - 18th Century English Novel Credits: 3

British Literature After 1800 (3)

ENGL 660 - British Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 661 - Victorian Poetry: 1830-1880 Credits: 3
ENGL 662 - 19th Century British Prose Credits: 3
ENGL 663 - 19th Century British Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 664 - British Literature: 1880-1920 Credits: 3
ENGL 665 - British Literature Since 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 666 - 20th Century British Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 667 - 20th Century British Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 668 - 20th Century British Fiction Credits: 3

American Literature Before 1900 (3)

ENGL 676 - American Literature to 1830 Credits: 3
ENGL 677 - American Literature: 1830-1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 678 - American Literature: 1865-1910 Credits: 3
ENGL 679 - 19th Century American Novel Credits: 3

Diverse Literatures, Film, and Culture (3)

ENGL 671 - Postcolonial Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature A. African American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature B. Native American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature C. Latina/Latino American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 693 - Ethnic American Literature D. Special Topics Credits: 3
Topics course with approval of academic advisor (3)

American Literature After 1900 and Film (6) (only one may be a film course)

ENGL 681 - American Literature: 1910-1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 682 - American Literature Since 1960 Credits: 3
ENGL 684 - 20th Century American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 685 - 20th Century American Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 687 - 20th Century American Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 690 - Film and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 691 - Topics in Film and Literature Credits: 3

Writing and Rhetoric

Core Rhetoric (6)

ENGL 610 - Rhetoric of Prose Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 625 - Methods of Research in Professional Writing Credits: 3

Course work from the following (9)

COMS 546 - Designing for the Internet Credits: 3
COMS 569 - Interactive Media Production II Credits: 3
COMS 600 - The Classical Tradition in Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
COMS 602 - Contemporary Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 603 - Traditions in Written Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 609 - Creative Writing Credits: 3 (Fiction)
OR ENGL 609 - Creativite Writing Credits: 3 (Poetry)
ENGL 626 - Technical Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 627 - Technical Editing Credits: 3
ENGL 628 - Internship in Technical Writing or Editing Credits: 1-12
ENGL 629 - Topics in Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 630 - Theory and Research in Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 631 - Topics in Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 632 - Writing for Digital Media Credits: 3
ENGL 692 - Nonfiction Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 700 - Topics in the Teaching of College English Credits: 3
ENGL 703 - Seminar: Rhetorical Studies Credits: 3

Electives in English (12)

Department of English courses in writing, rhetoric, literature, film, or linguistics.

Electives (3-9 semester hours, depending on track 1 or track 2)

Students may elect Department of English courses in rhetoric, literature, and linguistics or, with the faculty advisor’s approval, courses in such areas as communication, education, journalism, art, business, technology, and instructional technology from other departments.