Master of Arts in English (MA)

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Program Overview

The program in English is designed to prepare students for professional advancement and for further study in literature and writing. Graduate students in English may select either a literature or a writing track. The literature track emphasizes the study of literary texts with related study of writing. Conversely, the writing track emphasizes the study and practice of writing with related study of literature. Both tracks also require study of related theory, as well as an internship in the context of an undergraduate literature/writing course and a portfolio of written work. Students in both programs will not only become familiar with the aesthetic, formal, and theoretical underpinnings of their field of study, but they will also learn how to address their audiences by means of professional discourse.

Dr. Robert Prescott, (309) 677-2468,
Shelly Walker, (309) 677-2490,

Estimated Time to Complete the Program

Students carrying full-time course loads can reasonably complete the Master of Arts in English program in two years. Part-time students may take up to five years to complete the program.

Semester Hours Required

The Master of Arts in English Program has a minimum requirement of 30 semester hours.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, applicants for the MA in English program shall include the following material with the application:

An essay of under 1500 words stating what the applicant expects to achieve from the study of English (literature and writing) at the master's level.
A writing sample (professional, critical, creative) that the applicant deems to be representative of the quality of his or her work. The sample may be an undergraduate paper, professional work, or work prepared for personal use. (The sample will not be returned. Please submit a copy.)
Two letters of recommendation from references whose discipline is English literature or writing or from employers who have experience in the field of literature or writing. For those applicants who no longer have contact with either, the recommendations should be from those who can comment on the applicant's ability to benefit from a graduate program in English.

* Please note: The GRE is not required for admission to the MA in English program.

Faculty Research Interests and Related Specialties

Christine Blouch	18th Century British Women Writers 18th Century British Literature
Susan Brill de Ramirez	American Indian Literature Literary Criticism and Theory
Timothy Conley	Early American Literature American Literature/Studies Literary Theory
Martha Craig	Shakespeare
Peter Dusenbery	Technical/Professional Writing
Danielle Glassmeyer	20th Century American Literature
Jean Jost	Medieval Literature Chaucerian and Arthurian Literature
Seth Katz	Grammar Computer-Supported Literature Linguistics Language Theory Poetics Stylistics
Melinda McBee Orzulak	Composition Theory English Education Young Adult Literature
Caitriona Moloney	Irish Writers Contemporary British Literature
Jeanne Muzzillo	English Education Young Adult Literature
Thomas Palakeel	18th Century Post-Colonial Literary Theory Creative Non-fiction
Robert Prescott	Writing 19th Century Romantic Literature Romantic Poetry
Kevin Stein	20th Century Poetry and Criticism
Kevin Swafford	19th and early 20th Century British Literature
Laurie Vickroy	18th/20th Century Novel Literature and Psychology Women Writers
Demetrice Worley	Composition Theory/Pedagogy African American Literature Creative Writing Visual Imagery and Writing

Department Contact information

Department Chair
Dr. Robert Prescott, (309) 677-2468, prescott@bradley.edu

Department Coordinator
Dr. Kevin Swafford, (309) 677-2451, swafford@bradley.edu

Department Secretary
Shelly Walker, (309) 677-2490, swalker@bradley.edu