Master of Arts in English (MA), Creative Writing Emphasis

Master of Arts in English (MA)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MENG program requires a bachelor’s degree in English. Students with less English preparation may petition for conditional admission which may require that they take additional classes at the 5000-level for full matriculation.

Applicants must complete an online application. Criteria for acceptance into the program include:

• Undergraduate degree in English with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major (preferred)
• Submission of writing sample (6-8 pages)
• Transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
• Three letters of recommendation from educational or professional references
• Interview with the program director or option coordinator

Additional Requirements for International Students

All international students and any applicants educated outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English must submit an official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based). Other appropriate tests may be used as an alternative to the TOEFL, such as IELT and the WSU LEAP Special Examination. The score may not be more than two years old.

Transfer Credits

• Transfer credit must be approved by the program director and cannot exceed 11 credit hours. Transfer classes must be at appropriate levels and fulfill the objectives of the Master of Arts in English degree at WSU. No courses for which credit was used to fulfill requirements of another degree may be used toward the Master of Arts in English degree.

Obsolete Credits

• Credit earned more than ten (10) years earlier than the proposed date of graduation will not be accepted for the MA degree unless approved by the program director.

Graduation Requirements

• Credit hour requirements are determined within the option. A minimum of 24 credit hours at the 6000-level and a minimum of 33 total credit hours are required in the program. Students must complete all requirements in one of the options.
• Grades of B- or better in all courses counting toward the degree.
• Students with a BS degree must show foreign language competency either by completing six hours of a foreign language class with a grade of C (or better) or by passing a prescribed foreign language reading test.
• Students not completing a thesis will be required to submit a portfolio of their work to the program for assessment purposes.
• Program Code: 3056MENG with an emphasis in Creative Writing (3110) or Literature (3111)
• CIPC: Master of English (230101), Creative Writing (231302), Literature (231401)

Time for Degree Completion

• MENG students must receive approval from the program director to register for more than nine (9) credit hours in a semester.
• MENG students have a maximum of six calendar years to complete their degree requirements, starting from the first semester during which the student has registered for and begun taking classes. Students who exceed this time limit may submit a letter of appeal to the program director to request an extension.
• Students who fail to enroll in program classes for three consecutive semesters (not including summers) must apply for readmission to the program.
• In order to ensure timely progress through the program, students are encouraged to consult with an advisor at least once a year.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Gather, analyze, and communicate information and insights critically.
• Closely read and analyze texts within historical contexts and critical frameworks.
• Apply theoretical and critical perspectives in their own writings.
• Apply current scholarship and practice in their own writings.
• Employ discipline-specific terminology and conventions in their written, oral, and/or multimodal presentations.

Course Requirements for Master of Arts in English

All MENG students will be required to complete the Core Requirements as part of their degree. In addition to the Core, a student needs to complete one of the emphasis areas.

Creative Writing Emphasis Requirements