English, M.S.

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Program Requirements 33 hrs.*

Required Core Courses 9 hrs.

ENGL 600 - Introduction to Literary Scholarship Credits: (3)
ENGL 621 - Principles of Literary Criticism Credits: (3) *
ENGL 663 - Linguistics Credits: (3) *

Other Required Courses

Students choose an area of study in one of the following: British Literature, American Literature, English Education non-licensure or English Education with initial teacher licensure.

British Literature

At least 9 hours chosen from the following courses:

ENGL 631 - Studies in Middle English Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 633 - Studies in English Renaissance Credits: (3)
ENGL 635 - Studies in Restoration and 18th Century British Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 637 - Studies in 19th Century British Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 639 - Studies in 20th Century Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 653 - Studies in Women’s Literature Credits: (3)
Appropriate ENGL 680 - Special Topics in English Credits: Variable Credit, (1-6)

American Literature

At least 9 hours chosen from the following courses:

ENGL 639 - Studies in 20th Century Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 644 - Studies in American Literature I (to 1861) Credits: (3)
ENGL 645 - Studies in American Literature II (since 1861) Credits: (3)
ENGL 648 - Studies in Oral and Written Literature of Appalachia Credits: (3)
ENGL 653 - Studies in Women’s Literature Credits: (3)
Appropriate ENGL 680 - Special Topics in English Credits: Variable Credit, (1-6)

English Education, Non-licensure

ENGL 502 - Teaching Writing: Theories and Practices Credits: (3) *
ENGL 563 - Grammar and Language for Teachers Credits: (3) *
ENGL 629 - Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature Credits: (3)
EDEF 605 - Introduction to Educational Research Credits: (3)
EDRD 630 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Credits: (3) or
EDRD 688 - Foundation of Literacy Instruction Credits: (3)

English Education with Initial Secondary Teacher Licensure (grades 6-12)

Required courses that count toward the 33 hours required for the Master of Science degree:

ENGL 502 - Teaching Writing: Theories and Practices Credits: (3) *
EDSP 504 - Introduction to Special Education for Secondary Educators Credits: (3)
ENGL 629 - Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature Credits: (3)
EDEF 607 - Foundations of Education Credits: (3)
EDEF 600 - Child and Adolescent Development Credits: (3)
EDEF 605 - Introduction to Educational Research Credits: (3)
EDUC 640 - Internship in Teaching, Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) Credits: (6)

Supporting Courses:

The following courses do not count toward the 33 hours required for the Master of Science degree, but are required for initial teacher licensure:

Blocking semester supporting courses:

ENGL 426 - Teaching English in the High School.
EDUC 440 - Teaching Grades 6-12.
EDUC 441 - Field Experience for Grades 6-12.

3 hours of coursework in technology chosen from the following 3 courses:

EDET 445 - Integration of Technology in Teaching and Training
EDET 620 - Educational Technology: Applications, Applied Research and Integration Credits: (3)
EDSP 554 - Educational Technology for Diverse Populations Credits: (3) or
EDET 554 - Educational Technology for Diverse Populations Credits: (3)

Student teaching supporting course:

ENGL 428 - Planning and Teaching Seminar

Also required for licensure:

Passing scores for Virginia on the appropriate VCLA, Praxis I and Praxis II tests upon or before completion of 12 semester hours (SAT scores of 1100 or higher, with scores of at least 530 on both the critical reading and mathematics sections may be submitted in lieu of passing Praxis I scores); students must also meet qualifications for acceptance and retention in the Secondary Education Licensure Program in English.

Electives

*ENGL 621 , ENGL 663 , ENGL 502 , ENGL 563 , ENGL 525 , EDSP 504 may be replaced by an elective if an undergraduate equivalent was completed with a grade of “B” or higher.

Electives may be satisfied by completing a graduate level course with an ENGL prefix. Please see your advisor to ensure you are taking the correct course.

British and American Literature are required to complete 15 credit hours of elective courses.

Written Examination Required of Both Degrees

The written examination will be administered by the director of the candidate’s thesis/examination committee. For Master of Arts candidates, the members of the examination committee may be different from the members of the thesis committee, with the exception of the thesis director. The examination areas will be determined in consultation between the candidate and the examination committee members, drawing upon the candidate’s program of study. The examination will consist of three essay questions, one submitted by each member of the candidate’s committee. The candidate will choose the format of the examination (closed-book, with two hours for each question or open-book, with 48 hours for the entire examination). The examination must be completed at least two weeks prior to graduation. Comprehensive exam defense forms must be requested at least five days in advance of the examination date.

Additional Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

Oral Examination

An oral examination of not more than two hours, based primarily on the candidate’s program of study, will be administered in the final semester of study and at least two weeks prior to graduation. The questions for this examination can both complement and vary from those posed for the written examination. The oral examination will follow the written examination and cannot be taken prior to the candidate’s satisfactory completion of the written examination. The two examinations can be scheduled either in consecutive semesters or in the same semester. If the oral examination is not completed satisfactorily, the candidate must retake the examination during a subsequent semester.