»Master of Arts in English

Apply now using the Online Application. All applicants must provide the following materials:

• Official transcripts from all degree-granting (bachelor’s or master’s degrees) colleges and universities attended.
• Your resume or curriculum vitae.
• A statement of intent; an essay expressing your reasons for wanting to join the MA in English program. What are your personal and career goals, and how will this particular degree from Chapman University help you reach those goals? Your essay should be double spaced, size 12 font, and 2-4 pages in length.
• A completed 12–15-page literary essay that focuses on an analysis of one or two literary texts. The essay should be informed by contemporary literary, rhetorical, and/or cultural theory and criticism, and demonstrate analytical strengths and critical writing skills. The essay should also reflect a grasp of critical literary skills and the ability to deal with theoretical texts in an effective and knowledgeable manner. Typically, applicants submit a piece of advanced academic writing from an undergraduate English course. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• A graduate admission test is required for applicants with a bachelor's degree cumulative GPA below a 3.0. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99, may be considered for admission by submitting a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum scores of Verbal: 154, Quantitative: 147, and Analytical Writing: 4.0 or by demonstrating significant relevant professional experience. GRE Institution Code: 4047.
• Two letters of recommendation that speak to academic and/or professional preparation, intellectual ability, and aptitude for graduate study.

Students complete 33 credits of academic coursework and successfully complete a master's thesis project in literature or rhetoric. For further information on degree prerequisites, admission requirements and a list of courses view the Graduate Course Catalog.

Prospective students are encouraged to explore past students' MA theses for insight into the depth and diversity of research conducted in our program. These projects showcase the creativity, rigor, and intellectual curiosity that define our graduate community.

While the program does not offer traditional teaching/research assistantships or tuition fellowships, MA in English students have access to the following funding opportunities:

• Paid Graduate Teaching Assistantships: For select second-year students, the competitive Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) program allows first-year students who take the spring class in Teaching Composition to apply for one of the GSI positions for the fall of their second year. Selected GSIs each teach a section of composition in the fall while also enrolled together in a second pedagogy class. This position does not come with an award that covers tuition but does come with a teaching stipend worth approximately $6,000.
• Paid Graduate Assistantships: Ranging between $16.50 and $36.00 an hour for 9 to 19 hours per week, select students can start as early as their first year of study with either department faculty members or in offices across the larger university in research or administrative support.
• We also have some students teaching with community organizations and working in the private sector in positions that are not directly related to our program. This speaks to the opportunities our students seek and create and the value of the expertise they are developing. 

These are the largest opportunities offered by the program. Importantly, almost all graduate classes are scheduled at 4 p.m. or later, so many of our students work part-time or even full-time in the area, at both paid jobs and internships. Our program also works closely with the college's Career Advisor to build bridges to careers for MA students. Our campus career team are well versed in assisting students research, apply for, and accept these opportunities.