Applying

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH - The master's degree program in English offers students the opportunity to achieve a multifaceted understanding of literature and language. The degree is useful to those already teaching in high schools or interested in community college teaching, to those seeking careers in writing and publishing, and to those intending to take further graduate work.

The MA program in English admits applicants in the fall semester only . The deadline for applications to the MA Program is February 1st. All applications must be sumbitted online via calstate.edu/apply. Calstate Apply opens for applications on October 1st.

Admission To Graduate Standing

University requirements:
Students are expected to have completed a four-year course of study and hold a degree from an accredited University by the time of enrollment. For more from the University on Student Responsibility, Application Procedures (including submitting Transcripts to the Admissions Office), and Admission Procedures, visit the Graduate Admissions page in the University Catalog.  

Department requirements:

Besides meeting the CSU requirements for admission to be found following the links above, the Department requires the following for admission: 

1. The department requires a bachelor’s degree in English or Comparative Literature from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade-point average in the upper-division major courses, provided that a minimum of 24 units of upper-division coursework is included. If the applicant holds a bachelor’s degree in another major, 24 units of upper-division coursework in English and/or Comparative Literature must be completed with at least a 3.0 grade-point average before beginning work in the master’s degree program.
2. In the event that the applicant’s grade-point average in prerequisite courses is below 3.0, he or she may take additional upper-division English and/or Comparative Literature coursework and reapply to the program. The applicant should consult with the graduate adviser to determine appropriate coursework. Some courses taken to make up qualitative deficiencies may be credited toward the M.A., if completed with a “B” (3.0) or better, and if applicable to the student’s particular study plan. Courses taken to remove quantitative deficiencies may not be applied to the M.A. program.
3. A writing sample will also be required of all applicants. The writing sample should demonstrate advanced skill in literary analysis or rhetorical and expository writing. A paper written for an upper-division literature course and analyzing one or more elements in one or more literary works is preferred. The writing sample should be approximately five to 10 pages long, and include secondary research. Applicants who do not have course papers available should contact the department graduate adviser for advice.
4. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals best qualified to judge their potential for graduate study in English.
5. All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper) or 100 (Internet), or 7.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

We do not require the GRE. 

For more on Department requirements, visit the English M.A. page in the University Catalog.

For more on the Application process for Graduate Programs, visit the Graduate Studies page "Applying to CSUF. "

Applicants are encouraged to contact the department graduate adviser with any questions.