Our program offers classes in British and U.S. literatures - from early modern drama to contemporary American poetics-and a diverse range of special topics courses and graduate level creative writing workshops in multiple genres with professional writers. Small in size, the MA program emphasizes a solid foundation in general literary studies that provides you with the broad knowledge of literary history. The degree offers excellent preparation for further graduate study or for employment in any field that values critical thinking, strong writing skills, and research experience. MA students can choose to specialize in cliterary studies: creative writing or literary studies: critical. Current USD undergraduate students may choose from an accelerated degree option. Learn more at https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/English-MA.
DELIVERY: On campus
Master of Arts, English (thesis): Total 30 credit hours
Master of Arts, English (non-thesis): Total 30 credit hours
Required Core 18 credit hours
Electives Requirements 12 credit hours
Required Core: Total 18 credit hours
Literature before the 20th Century (6 credit hours)
20th and 21st Century British, American, and World Literature (6 credit hours)
Language, Writing, and Pedagogy (3 credit hours)
Literary Criticism (3 credit hours)
Notes:
At least three courses must be seminars at the 700 or 800 level.
At least one course must satisfy the Multicultural Literature, Women’s Studies, or Gender requirement.
Literature before the 20th Century ( must select 2 categories) 6 credit hours
At least three courses must be seminars at the 700- or 800-level
At least one course must satisfy the Multicultural Literature, Women’s Studies, or Gender requirement (may overlap with other distribution requirement).
Transferred courses or courses from other disciplines may count toward distribution requirements with graduate coordinator approval.
Note: 50% of the program of study must be taken at the 700-level
Electives or Specialization (6 or 12 credit hours)
Electives 9 credit hours (see full course list above in Literary Studies: Critical-Thesis section)
** (Seminars or Topics courses with Critical content)
Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A. or B.S. with M.A. (Literary Studies: Critical only-non-thesis only)
Up to 12 graduate credits applied toward the B.A. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit. The following restrictions apply:
Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.A./B.S. and M.A. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
Courses taken at the 700-level can be applied to both the B.A./B.S. and M.A. degrees.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for dual credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Sample program (4+1 English MA degree with Literary Studies: Critical non-thesis only):
Junior/Senior Year
4 courses at 500-level or 700-level = 12 credits
Fifth Year
6 courses at 500-level or 700-level = 18 credits
Total = 30 credits
Master of Arts with Concurrent Juris Doctor, English (thesis)
The J.D./M.A. is available only to candidates who are concurrently enrolled in the School of Law.
Ordinarily, students complete the first year of the J.D. before beginning the M.A. in English. It takes less time for students to complete than if they earned both degrees separately.
Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours
Literature before the 20th Century (6 credit hours)
20th and 21st Century British, American, and World Literature (6 credit hours)
Literary Criticism (3 credit hours)
Multicultural/Gender Requirement; may overlap with distribution requirement above (0-3 credit hours)
If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.