The Department of English and Modern Languages offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in English with concentrations in Creative Writing, in Literature, in English Education and Writing, or in English 6-12 Initial Licensure. All graduate students in the Creative Writing or Literature concentration must write a thesis; students in the English Education and Writing concentrations may choose to write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination; students in the 6-12 Initial Licensure concentration may choose to complete an action research project or take a comprehensive examination. The program coordinator serves as advisor to students in all four concentrations. Questions concerning the graduate program in English should be directed to the coordinator or the chair.

In addition, the department offers courses in support of the Master of Science in Education/Curriculum and Instruction Specialist/Modern Languages, and the Master of Science in Education/Modern Languages/ESL PreK-12 Initial Licensure. See pp. 50-51, 55-56. and 62-63 for program requirements.

ADMISSION 

Creative Writing

Students admitted to the Creative Writing concentration are expected to have at least an undergraduate minor in English. Consideration will be given to those having the equivalent of 18 hours beyond the general education level, but such consideration will depend on the courses taken.  More undergraduate preparation may be required at the discretion of the departmental graduate committee. Applicants must submit a writing sample of not less than ten (10) and not more than twenty (20) pages in the genre of their choice. (10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of prose/fiction or non-fiction or 20 pages of drama)  Final admission to the concentration is granted based on the quality and potential of the work submitted as determined by the Creative Writing Reading Committee.

Literature

Students admitted to the Literature concentration are expected to have an undergraduate major in English literature (30 hours). Consideration will be given to those having an English minor (18 credit hours), depending on the courses taken, but more undergraduate preparation may be required at the discretion of the departmental graduate committee.

English Education and Writing

Students admitted to the English Education and Writing concentration are expected to have an English major, minor or equivalent.

English 6-12 Initial Licensure

Students admitted to the English 6-12 Initial Licensure concentration are expected to have an undergraduate major or at least a minor (18 credit hours) in English with courses in grammar and linguistics required. Survey courses in American, British, and world literature are preferred and additional undergraduate preparation may be required at the discretion of the departmental graduate committee. All applicants must have passed the Praxis I or have the equivalent SAT or ACT scores.

GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER For Initial Licensure 

Students in the English 6-12 Initial Licensure program must complete a professional semester to meet state licensing requirements. This professional semester is designed as the capstone course in this program.  To be eligible, a student must have a 3.00 GPA, passing scores on Praxis I and II, and all other program requirements completed. An application for the Graduate Directed Teaching/Professional Semester must be completed and filed with the Office of Professional Services, Hull – Room 256, by 12 noon on the last day of classes one (1) year in advance of the professional semester. Praxis score reports must be submitted with the application if you did not list Longwood University as a score recipient when you took the tests. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies or the Office of Professional Services.

THESIS 

Creative Writing 

The candidate for the Master of Arts - English with a concentration in Creative Writing is required to complete a creative thesis.  Students in this concentration should wait to register for thesis (ENGL 600) until a minimum of two (2) workshop course requirements have been met as the student’s thesis will be comprised of work produced and revised over the course of study. In preparation for thesis completion and defense, and in coordination with the program director, the student will select a thesis director from the Creative Writing faculty. The second faculty selection for the committee should also be a member of the Creative Writing faculty. To complete the committee, the student may choose any member of the English graduate faculty. The student’s thesis director serves as chair of his/her thesis committee. As soon as a member of the graduate Creative Writing faculty agrees to act as director for the thesis, the student should submit a one-page thesis proposal to the program coordinator. This thesis proposal should be signed by the director of the thesis and by two other graduate English faculty members who are qualified to serve and who have agreed to serve as readers for the thesis. (The departmental graduate committee and the Creative Writing program coordinator must approve exceptions to the members of the thesis committee.) The thesis, a body of work in the student’s primary genre, should be of publishable quality and must be introduced by a critical abstract.

Each student must successfully defend his/her thesis in an oral examination. This defense, focusing on elements related to thesis content, craft and specific genre should take place as soon as possible after the thesis is completed (see English 600 course description for deadline information). The completed thesis, when approved, will carry the signatures of the members of the thesis committee.

The thesis shall follow industry-standard manuscript format. The student is to supply three copies, two of which will be placed in the Library and another in the departmental library. See p. 40 for further information on thesis preparation.

Literature/English Education & Writing 

The candidate for the Master of Arts - English with a concentration in Literature or English Education and Writing may register for thesis (Engl 600) at any point following his/her admission to the program. The student should begin early to explore thesis possibilities with instructors. The program coordinator will assist the student -- as will any member of the graduate faculty -- in the choice of a thesis director. As soon as a member of the graduate English faculty agrees to act as director for the thesis, the student should submit a one-page thesis proposal to the program coordinator. The thesis proposal should be signed by the director of the thesis and by two other graduate English faculty members who are qualified to serve and who have agreed to serve as readers for the thesis. (The departmental graduate committee must approve exceptions to the members of the thesis committee.) After the thesis committee has approved the proposal, the student can begin work on the thesis. The student's thesis director serves as chair of his/her thesis committee. The completed thesis, when approved, will carry the signatures of the members of the thesis committee.

The thesis shall follow the format of the latest MLA style sheet. The student is to supply three copies, two of which will be placed in the Library and another in the departmental library. See p. 40 for further information on thesis preparation.

Each student must successfully defend his/her thesis in an oral examination. This defense of thesis should take place as soon as possible after the thesis is completed (see English 600 course description for deadline information).

ACTION RESEARCH INQUIRY PROJECT 

The candidate for the Master of Arts in English with a 6-12 Initial Licensure concentration may choose to conduct an action research inquiry project of their choice based on an education issue related to the teaching of English. This action research inquiry project should be the basis for a completed, publishable article that will be submitted to a juried journal of quality. Students should register for ENGL 602 to satisfy this requirement during the final year of their program. Grading for this three (3) credit course will be Pass/Fail. In consultation with their project director, students will select a committee of two additional readers. One of the readers may be an education faculty member with expertise in the candidate‚s inquiry area and the other can be a member of the English graduate faulty (an exception may be granted by the English Graduate Committee upon petition). The completed research project must be presented to the examining committee no later than four weeks before the end of the semester in which the project is completed. At that time, the candidate must engage in an oral defense of the project with the examining committee. The student is to supply three copies, two of which will be placed in the Library and one in the departmental library.  See pp. 40-41 for further information on action research inquiry project preparation.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION 

Students in the Master of Arts in English with a concentration in English Education and Writing that elect not to write a thesis; or students in the Master of Arts in English with a concentration in English 6-12 Initial Licensure that elect not to complete an action research project; register for English 699 - Comprehensive Examination the last semester of their degree work. If degree completion is scheduled for summer, the examination may be taken the preceding spring provided the student needs no more than two summer courses to complete his/her program. The student must have a B average (3.0 GPA) in all courses completed for the degree and must  have filed the Application for Graduate Degree to enroll. The comprehensive examination will be administered two times a year from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of October and the first Saturday of March by the Office of Graduate Studies on the Farmville campus.

The comprehensive examination consists of four essay questions; - the student will answer three of these questions. The comprehensive examination will be designed for the individual student, based on the courses each student has taken. The student’s knowledge of and ability to apply specific theory and research relating to his/her area of concentration will be evaluated, together with the student’s competency in written expression and reasoning ability.

The grading system for the evaluation of the examination will be pass/fail, with two graduate English professors, and/or Education professors, or other appropriate professors grading each question. If a question receives a pass and a fail, then a third professor will grade that question. Any re-examination will consist of three essay questions; a student will answer the number of questions failed on the original examination.

Any student failing the examination, or any portion thereof, registers for English 699 -  Comprehensive Examination ($35.00 fee) at the next scheduled examination date (the English Graduate Program Coordinator may grant permission for an examination date a semester later if a delay in repeating is necessary). Failure of the examination, or any portion thereof, for a second time will be final, and the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.

CREATIVE WRITING

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

CORE REQUIREMENTS: (24) Includes thesis, professional, workshop and literature requirements.
THESIS: (6)
ENGL 600    Thesis (6)
PROFESSIONAL: (3) Select one (1) of the following.
ENGL 570    Professional Writing (3)
ENGL 579    Writing: Theory and Practice for the Middle, Secondary & College Classroom (3)
ENGL 603    Teaching Creative Writing (3)
ENGL 604    The Business of Creative Writing (3)
WORKSHOP: (6) Select two (2) from the following.
ENGL 575     Advanced Dramatic Writing (3)
ENGL 576     Advanced Fiction Writing (3)
ENGL 577     Advanced Poetry Writing (3)
ENGL 578     Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (3)
LITERATURE: (9) Complete:
ENGL 562    Literary Criticism (3)
And select two (2) additional graduate level literature courses one of which must be at the 600-level.
ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS: (12) Includes literature and workshop requirements.
LITERATURE: (6) Select one (1) course from the following.
ENGL 511    The Epic (3)        
ENGL 512    Poetry (3)          
ENGL 513    The Novel (3)       
ENGL 514    Short Story (3)     
ENGL 515    Drama (3)           
ENGL 522    Major Figures in Fiction (3)    
ENGL 523    Major Figures in Poetry (3)     
ENGL 525    Studies in Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 531    Arthurian Literature (3)
ENGL 532    Women and Literature (3)
ENGL 541    Ethnic Literature (3)
ENGL 542    Regional Literature (3)
ENGL 543    Postcolonial Literature (3)
ENGL 544 Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 581 Literature for Young Adults (3)
ENGL 595 Special Topics (3)
Select one (1) course form the following.
ENGL 611    Studies in British Medieval Literature (3)
ENGL 621    Studies in the English Renaissance (3)
ENGL 631    Studies in British Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (3)
ENGL 641    Studies in British Romantic and Victorian Literature (3)
ENGL 651    Studies in Modern and Contemporary British Literature (3)
ENGL 661    Studies in American Colonial Literature (3)
ENGL 671    Studies in American Romanticism (3)
ENGL 681    Studies in American Realism and Naturalism (3)
ENGL 691    Studies in Modern and Contemporary American Literature (3)
ENGL 695    Special Topics (3)
WORKSHOP: (6) One advanced workshop outside the student’s primary genre is required. Advanced workshops may be repeated once for credit in the primary genre. Select two (2) courses from the following.
ENGL 575     Advanced Dramatic Writing (3)
ENGL 576     Advanced Fiction Writing (3)
ENGL 577     Advanced Poetry Writing (3)
ENGL 578     Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (3)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED:   36

ENGLISH EDUCATION AND WRITING

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION & WRITING COURSES. (12) Select a minimum of four from the following:
ENGL 570    Professional Writing Skills (3)
ENGL 575     Advanced Dramatic Writing (3)
ENGL 576     Advanced Fiction Writing (3)
ENGL 577     Advanced Poetry Writing (3)
ENGL 578     Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (3)
ENGL 579    Writing: Theory and Practice for the Middle, Secondary & College Classroom (3)
ENGL 580    The Teaching of English (3)
ENGL 581    Literature for Young Adults (3)
ENGL 584    Evaluating and Tutoring Writing (1-3)
LITERATURE COURSES. (15) Select a minimum of five from the following (at least 2 must be 600 level courses, and all courses may be repeated for credit when the topics change):
ENGL 511    The Epic (3)
ENGL 512    Poetry (3)
ENGL 513    The Novel (3)
ENGL 514    Short Story (3)
ENGL 515    Drama (3)
ENGL 522    Major Figures in Fiction (3)
ENGL 523    Major Figures in Poetry (3)
ENGL 525    Studies in Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 531    Arthurian Literature (3)
ENGL 532    Women and Literature (3)
ENGL 541    Ethnic Literature (3)
ENGL 542    Regional Literature (3)
ENGL 543    Postcolonial Literature (3)
ENGL 544    Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 562    Literary Criticism (3)
ENGL 595    Special Topics (1-3)
ENGL 611    Studies in British Medieval Literature (3)
ENGL 621    Studies in the English Renaissance (3)
ENGL 631    Studies in British Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (3)
ENGL 641    Studies in British Romantic and Victorian Literature (3)
ENGL 651    Studies in Modern and Contemporary British Literature (3)
ENGL 661    Studies in American Colonial Literature (3)
ENGL 671    Studies in American Romanticism (3)
ENGL 681    Studies in American Realism and Naturalism (3)
ENGL 691    Studies in Modern and Contemporary American Literature (3)
ENGL 695    Studies in Special Topics (1-3)
ELECTIVE COURSES. (9)  Select 1 to 3 from the following:
EDUC 502    Research Design (3)
EDUC 530    Teaching Reading in the Content Area (3)
EDUC 543    Curriculum Development in the Middle and Secondary School (3)
ENGL 511    The Epic (3)
ENGL 512    Poetry (3)
ENGL 513    The Novel (3)
ENGL 514    Short Story (3)
ENGL 515    Drama (3)
ENGL 522    Major Figures in Fiction (3)
ENGL 523    Major Figures in Poetry (3)
ENGL 525    Studies in Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 531    Arthurian Literature (3)
ENGL 532    Women and Literature (3)
ENGL 541    Ethnic Literature (3)
ENGL 542    Regional Literature (3)
ENGL 543    Postcolonial Literature (3)
ENGL 544    Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 562    Literary Criticism (3)
ENGL 595    Special Topics (1-3)
ENGL 600    Thesis (6) (Required for students opting to write a thesis)
ENGL 611    Studies in British Medieval Literature (3)
ENGL 621    Studies in the English Renaissance (3)
ENGL 631    Studies in British Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (3)
ENGL 641    Studies in British Romantic and Victorian Literature (3)
ENGL 651    Studies in Modern and Contemporary British Literature (3)
ENGL 661    Studies in American Colonial Literature (3)
ENGL 671    Studies in American Romanticism (3)
ENGL 681    Studies in American Realism and Naturalism (3)
ENGL 691    Studies in Modern and Contemporary American Literature (3)
ENGL 695    Studies in Special Topics (1-3)
ENGL 699    Comprehensive Exam (0) (Required for students not writing a thesis)
EDSL 560    Informational Sources and Services (3)
SPED 515    Survey of Exceptional Students (3)
 

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED    36

LITERATURE

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED COURSE
ENGL 600    Thesis (6)
ELECTIVE COURSES. (24) Select 8* of the following (at least 2 must be 600 level courses, and all courses may be repeated for credit when the topics change):
ENGL 511    The Epic (3)
ENGL 512    Poetry (3)
ENGL 513    The Novel (3)
ENGL 514    Short Story (3)
ENGL 515    Drama (3)
ENGL 522    Major Figures in Fiction (3)
ENGL 523    Major Figures in Poetry (3)
ENGL 525    Studies in Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 531    Arthurian Literature (3)
ENGL 532    Women and Literature (3)
ENGL 541    Ethnic Literature (3)
ENGL 542    Regional Literature (3)
ENGL 543    Postcolonial Literature (3)
ENGL 544    Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 562    Literary Criticism (3)
ENGL 595    Special Topics (1-3)
ENGL 611    Studies in British Medieval Literature (3)
ENGL 621    Studies in the English Renaissance (3)
ENGL 631    Studies in British Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (3)
ENGL 641    Studies in British Romantic and Victorian Literature (3)
ENGL 651    Studies in Modern and Contemporary British Literature (3)
ENGL 661    Studies in American Colonial Literature (3)
ENGL 671    Studies in American Romanticism (3)
*ELECTIVE COURSES.  Students may select one of the following to fulfill three (3) hours of the twenty-four (24) hours required above:
ENGL 570    Professional Writing Skills (3)
ENGL 575     Advanced Dramatic Writing (3)
ENGL 576     Advanced Fiction Writing (3)
ENGL 577     Advanced Poetry Writing (3)
ENGL 578     Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (3)
ENGL 579    Writing: Theory and Practice for the Middle, Secondary & College Classroom (3)
ENGL 580    The Teaching of English (3)
ENGL 581    Literature for Young Adults (3)

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

CORE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (15)
EDUC 506    Contemporary Social Issues in American Education  (3)
EDUC 521    Human Growth and Development (3)
EDUC 530    Teaching Reading in the Content Area (3)
EDUC 547    Instructional Media and Computer Technology in the Classroom (3)
EDUC 679    Inquiry into School Communities (3)
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS. (30)
ENGL 575     Advanced Dramatic Writing (3)
OR ENGL 576     Advanced Fiction Writing (3)
OR ENGL 577     Advanced Poetry Writing (3)
OR ENGL 578     Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing (3)
ENGL 525    Studies in Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 550    The English Language in Cultural Context (3)
ENGL 562    Literary Criticism (3)
ENGL 579    Writing: Theory and Practice for the Middle, Secondary & College Classroom (3)
ENGL 580    The Teaching of English (3)
ENGL 581    Literature for Young Adults (3)
ENGL 601    Graduate Directed Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Classroom (6)
ENGL 602    Action Research Inquiry Project (3)
OR ENGL 699 Comprehensive Examination (0)
             (In lieu of the action research inquiry project, students selecting the comprehensive examination option must register for the exam and take one of the following courses:  ENGL 611, 621, 631, 641, 651, 661, 671, 681, 691, or 695)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED:   45

SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES FOR ENGLISH GRADUATE STUDENTS

   1. On being admitted to the graduate program, the student should determine a basic plan of study. To do this, he/she should arrange a conference with the program coordinator and should become familiar with the departmental requirements.

   2. The student should complete the course requirements and either write a thesis, complete an action research inquiry project, or take a comprehensive examination. Students in the Creative Writing and Literature concentration must write a thesis; students in the English Education & Writing concentrations may choose to  write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination; and students in the 6-12 Initial Licensure concentration may complete an action research inquiry project or take a comprehensive examination.

   3. The student writing a literature thesis should obtain from the program coordinator an information sheet listing all the thesis procedures. The creative writing thesis information sheet is available from the creative writing coordinator. The action research inquiry project information sheet is available from the English education coordinator.