» Master of Arts in English

Class LectureMaster of Arts (M.A.) in English 

The Master of Arts in English is designed for students seeking continuing education, a foundation for doctoral work (PhD, EdD, JD) and/or a credential qualifying them to teach literature and composition courses at junior and community colleges. Full-time students complete the degree in two years. All graduate classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening.

Why the MA?

  • A wide range of small seminars in literature, rhetoric and composition, cultural studies, and digital humanities.
  • Literary events that bring national/international authors to campus and literature to life.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantships and innovative Graduate Assistantships for select students in the second year of study.
  • Flexible Scheduling, with classes offered in late afternoon and evening and part-time options.
  • Welcoming to in-service teachers seeking additional credentials as well as students interested in building a foundation for doctoral work or law school.
  • Our MA alums find employment in the fields of teaching, marketing, and publishing and have gone on to pursue the PhD.

The culmination of each M.A. student's degree program is a thesis project in literature or rhetoric. For further information on degree prerequisites, admission requirements, and a list of courses, view the Graduate Course Catalog.

Dual M.A./M.F.A. Degree 

The dual degree combines the M.F.A. in Creative Writing and the M.A. in English. The dual degree combines the practice and study of creative writing with literary scholarship. It is designed for students who intend to pursue a career in teaching English and creative writing at the university, community college, or secondary-school level.

Dual degree students must be admitted to both the MA and MFA degree programs, be enrolled concurrently in both programs, and complete all requirements for each degree program, including the book-length thesis for the creative writing program and a 6,000-10,000 word thesis for the English program. For further information on degree prerequisites, admission requirements, and a list of courses, view the Graduate Course Catalog.

In addition to application materials required for the MA, dual-degree applicants must submit a non-returnable portfolio of creative work that represents style and potential; this portfolio should include either 25 pages of fiction or nonfiction or 10-15 pages of poetry.

Students already enrolled in either the MA or the MFA program who wish to switch to the dual-degree program must apply and be admitted to the other degree program before completing 27 credits.

+ - Admission Requirements

All applicants must provide the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from baccalaureate degree granting institution.
  • A graduate admission test may not be required if your bachelor’s degree cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above. If your GPA is between 2.5 and 2.99, you may be considered for admission by submitting a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE): a minimum score of 153 for the Verbal section and 4.5 on the Analytical Writing section.
  • A three- to four-page essay stating your reasons for wanting to attend Chapman University’s MA Program. Discuss your career and personal goals and how you believe earning your degree at Chapman University will assist in attaining your goals.
  • Two letters of recommendation that speak to your academic preparation, intellectual ability, and aptitude for graduate study.

  • A finished critical literary essay of 12-15 text pages that demonstrates your talent for scholarly writing and ability to handle texts of literary criticism relative to the subject matter. The essay should reflect a grasp of critical literary skills and ability to deal with theoretical texts in an effective and knowledgeable manner. The MA essay MUST be a critical literary essay only.  In other words, the subject matter should deal with literary texts and literary topics only unless it is a Comparative Literature paper.  No other essay in any other discipline will be accepted. 

+ - Application Deadlines

Apply now using the Online Application. Submit your application and all supporting documents by the deadline listed below. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a rolling basis as space is available.

• For Fall Semester: February 1

• For Spring Semester: November 1

+ - Obtain Your Graduate Degree With Just ONE Additional Year of Study

You’ll be able to complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years, 4 years of undergraduate study + 1 year of graduate work.

Program offered:

  • 4+1 Integrated Undergraduate/Master of Arts in English

Academic Requirements

  • Must be an undergraduate student with 90+ units of undergraduate coursework completed, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 +.
  • Apply during your junior year or 1st semester of your senior year.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application through Apply Yourself

  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • CV and Resume
  • Statement of Intent
  • Critical Essay of 8-15 pages
  • A maximum of 12 units at the 500 level will be double-counted as undergraduate and graduate coursework

Contact Information:

Program Coordinator: Mark Axelrod, Axelrod@chapman.edu, 714-997-6586
Graduate Admission Counselor: Shannon McCance, smccance@chapman.edu, 714-997-6711

Contact Us

Mark Axelrod, Ph.D.
Director, M.A. in English
(714) 997-6586
axelrod@chapman.edu

Allison DeVries
Graduate Programs Coordinator
(714) 997-6752
devries@chapman.edu

Jon Hernandez
Graduate Admission Counselor
(714) 997-6770
jonherna@chapman.edu

For additional admission information, please contact:
Office of Graduate Admission
888-CU-APPLY / (714) 997-6711
gradadmit@chapman.edu
www.chapman.edu/gradadmission