Masters Degrees in Languages, Literature & Culture, USA

A single degree program incorporates a variety of options and tracks:
There are three options: the French Option, the Spanish Option, and the Romance languages Option (which combines languages). All three options have thesis and nonthesis tracks. The French and Spanish options also allow for an applied linguistics track (thesis or nonthesis). Regardless of the option or track, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll for the Practicum in Applied Linguistics (either FR 512 or SP 502).

Nonthesis track of the master of arts in Romance languages (Plan II). The nonthesis track for the French, Spanish, and Romance languages options incorporates 30 hours of coursework (or 36 hours of coursework for the applied linguistics version). Included in all nonthesis tracks of the master of arts in Romance languages is a core of five courses in the five areas listed below (approximately 50 percent of the major). Twenty-one hours of the coursework must be language specific.

1. Teaching Practicum/Topics in Linguistics
2. Proseminar: Research Methodology/Critical Theory
3. Topics in Culture and Civilization
4. Graduate Seminar
5. Special Topics/Directed Readings

All nonthesis tracks require success on comprehensive exams before granting of the degree.
Thesis track of the master of arts in Romance languages (Plan I). A description of the typical configuration for the various thesis tracks of the master of arts in Romance languages follows.

* Spanish Option, standard version with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 24 hours of coursework and a thesis. The curriculum centers on Peninsular and Spanish-American literature. Requirements include success on comprehensive written and oral examinations before granting of the degree. The written examination is based on the coursework. The oral examination is based on the coursework and on a pre-established reading list.

* Spanish Option, applied linguistics track with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 30 hours of coursework and a thesis. In addition to the thesis, the applied linguistics track involves three components: language, linguistics, and applied linguistics. The language component consists of 15 hours of course credit in Spanish language, literature, and culture (a minimum of 6 hours must be in Peninsular literature and 6 hours in Spanish-American literature). The linguistics component is comprised of a 3-hour descriptive linguistics course (SP 556). The applied linguistics component consists of 12 hours of coursework in second language acquisition and pedagogy (SP 502, EN 613, and two of the following: SP 581, EN 610, EN 612, CIE 577, or other approved courses; for descriptions of courses bearing the EN prefix, see the Department of English section of this catalog; for a description of CIE 577, see "Curriculum and Instruction Course Descriptions" in the College of Education section). Requirements include success on comprehensive written and oral examinations before granting of the degree. All examinations are based on the coursework.

* Romance Languages Option, with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 24-30 hours of coursework and a thesis. The curriculum requires study of French and Spanish, one as the major and one as the minor. The major includes a minimum of 18 hours. The minor includes a minimum of 12 hours. More than the minimum is recommended for both the major and the minor. Graduate courses in Italian studies are also available (see the RL prefix in course listings below). Requirements include success on comprehensive written and oral examinations before granting of the degree. All exams are based on the coursework.

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Our M.A. programs offer training in the areas of French and Francophone Literature and Culture, Applied and Descriptive Linguistics, and Second-language Pedagogy. Our programs are designed to promote professional development and preparation for the job market. To that end, qualified students awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantships learn to teach at the undergraduate level at the same time that they complete requirements toward the advanced degree. Many of them also present research at local and national conferences and publish their findings.

Students choose either the Standard (Literature) Track or the Applied Linguistics Track, each with or without thesis.

Standard (Literature) Track Degree requirements

33 credit hours of coursework without thesis; or 27 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research (FR 599) resulting in a completed and approved thesis. Find out more information on thesis procedures.
At least one course in five of six fields:
- Medieval and Renaissance
- Early Modern (17th and 18th centuries)
- 19th century
- 20th and 21st centuries
- Francophone and French studies
- French linguistics
A comprehensive exam with written and oral components based on coursework completed in the five fields.*

*On the written portion of the comprehensive exam for the Standard Track, candidates may be exempted from examination in a maximum of two fields: by writing a thesis in a field; by presenting a research paper in a field at a professional conference; or by earning a grade of “A” or “B” in two courses in a field. For the oral portion of the exam, students present a topic assigned in advance.

Applied Linguistics Track Degree requirements

36 credit hours of coursework without thesis; or 30 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research (FR 599) resulting in a completed and approved thesis. Find out more information on thesis procedures and consult the special instructions for French Linguistics students.

Coursework in three areas (French Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, French electives) as follows:
- French descriptive linguistics course for 3 credit hours (FR 561)
- 12 credit hours in SLA, pedagogy, and research (FR 512 and other approved courses)
- 21 credit hours of French electives (language, literature, film, culture, linguistics, etc.) for the non-thesis track; 15 credit hours of French electives for the thesis track.

A comprehensive written exam, based on the coursework.

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Study and teach at the same time with the Foreign Language Master of Teaching (M.A.T.) program. This degree is designed to give students the best possible preparation for teaching a foreign language. Three languages are offered: French, German, and Spanish. Candidates select from two course tracks: licensure for students seeking public school certification or non-licensure for those who may already have an elementary or other certificate. Classes cover education, theories of language acquisition, foreign language teaching methods, linguistics, and the literature and culture of the chosen language. The intensive teaching internship, a unique aspect of the program, pairs students with a faculty supervisor to teach an introductory language course at MTSU or with an experienced educator in a country where the language of emphasis is spoken. Classes also are offered in late afternoon or evening for the convenience of currently employed teachers.

Career

Graduates from the MTSU program have had an exceptionally high placement rate in both public and private schools as foreign language educators. Some may go on to teach at the community college level if they take more courses in the content area than required.

Employers of MTSU alumni include:

Brentwood High School
Centennial High School
Middle Tennessee State University
Montgomery Bell Academy
Notre Dame High School
Tennessee State University
Webb

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The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a thriving center of intellectual excellence that encompasses 14 academic departments and 80 degree programs. Its more than 2,500 students are engaged in a wide variety of challenging courses and hands-on learning experiences that extend across all areas of the humanities and sciences – from the great philosophers and classic literature to the world economy and environmental sustainability.

At the core of each department are faculty members who have garnered national acclaim for their best-selling books, ground-breaking research and creative endeavors. Together, students and their professors explore globally significant subjects and work towards the goal of improving every aspect of the way in which human beings live. To learn more about a specific area of study, click on the left-hand navigation bar for a full listing of academic departments.

Foreign Languages

In today’s job market there is an ever-growing need for people who speak more than one language. The mastery of a foreign language is like taking a journey in which your destination is not merely a place but a different way of looking at the world. The study of a foreign language develops communication skills, heightens cultural awareness, improves career opportunities, and encourages precision in thought and expression.

The Department of Foreign Languages offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in some of the world’s most widely spoken languages: French, Italian, and Spanish. The Department also offers the Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Languages, where you can focus on three languages of your choice (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish). In conjunction with LIU Post’s College of Education, Information and Technology, the Department offers excellent preparation for careers as French, Italian, and Spanish teachers.

M.A. in Spanish

Spanish is the world's third-largest language, spoken by nearly 500 million people, more than 40 million in the United States alone. Its importance in culture and commerce is immense, as are the political, artistic and commercial impacts of Spanish-speaking countries and communities. According to the Modern Language Association's 2009 survey, enrollment in foreign languages degree programs in the United States continues to increase, with Spanish attracting the largest number of students.

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish is a comprehensive study of the linguistics, syntax and literature of Spain and Spanish America. Graduates of this 36-credit program will be fully prepared for further study of Spanish at the doctoral level. In addition, given that in today’s job market there is an ever-growing need for people who speak more than one language, our graduates find positions in a variety of careers including international business; translation and interpretation; government, including the FBI and CIA; publishing; the media; and health and medicine. The services of translators and interpreters are important to courts, financial markets and the stock exchanges.

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• A letter of intent written by the applicant expressing professional goals as applied to the program.
• Submission of three letters of recommendation, using the required recommendation form.
• A writing sample, preferably a recent essay written showing evidence of scholarly research and writing. For applicants who have significant work experience, a substantial piece of workplace writing may be substituted.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae.

E-mail: [email protected] • Phone: 315-267-2165

Visit http://www.potsdam.edu/graduate to view the full application checklist and online application.

The Master of Arts program in English and Communication challenges students to develop integrated competencies in the highly sought skills of reading, writing, and speaking. The program focuses attention on the many uses of language and on the nature of language itself. It requires students to become familiar with the connections between the written and the spoken word, and with the varied ways that language is shaped to serve aesthetic, social, and practical ends. By fostering research and analytic skills, the program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities. Program Start Dates: Fall.

Required Program Courses
Minimum of 36 credit hours

GECD 601, Introduction to Research Methods .......................3 credits
GECD 606, Thesis Workshop .............................................3 credits
Electives .....................................................................21 credits (Students will select, with prior advisor approval, seven grad- uate English and Communication courses; at least 12 credit hours must be completed at the 600 level. Nine credit hours may be taken at the 500 level in any courses with LITR, COMP, or COMM designators.)
GECD 690, Thesis .........................................................9 credits

Uniqueness of Program

The MA English and Communication program is home to scholars of literature, rhetoric, speech communication, composition, and linguistics, making it unique within the SUNY system. It best serves students who wish to study in more than one of these disciplines. Students’ thesis projects can be rooted in one of these disciplines, or they may cross or blur disciplinary boundaries. A comprehensive approach to these distinct, yet related, fields defines the core graduate experience at Potsdam, making our program ideal for a variety of purposes. We also take a lot of pride in providing personalized attention, professional/academic achievement, unique program design, and flexible course scheduling. Graduates of our program have obtained positions as faculty at community colleges; editors and publishers of speeches, documents, and multimedia; and employees for business, governmental agencies, and/or the corporate world in a multitude of capacities.

Testimonials

“The program helped me grow as a writer, critical reader/thinker, and oral presenter. It prepared me to work as a professional and taught me a lot about how to interact with students and provide meaningful feedback.” —Becca Jewell

“The program nurtures a longer-term project focus, as compared to semester-based projects. I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom to design my own projects and the unpredictable, yet focused, discussions during class.” —Josh Clark

“I gained a better understanding of the world and an enhanced ability to analyze, synthesize, and critically think. In my view, studies like these prepare us to understand, analyze, dissect, and influence the academic and non-academic conversations that define our politics, work environments, and society at large.” —Adam Bulizak

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The Master of Arts in Asian and Asian American Studies (AAAS) enhances intercultural understanding and promotes rigorous scholarly study of Asian societies, political economies, cultures, histories, linguistics, migrations, etc. The Department of Asian and Asian American studies is recognized for its multidisciplinary approach, language expertise and innovative collaborative curriculum spanning Asian and Asian American Studies.
The MA program consists of six fields: Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, South Asian Studies, Asian American and Diaspora Studies, and Global Asia Studies. Graduates from the program will be positioned to enter competitive PhD programs or pursue careers in education, business, government, public policy, non-profit government organizations, and arts & culture.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement of no longer than two pages, single-spaced and standard font, describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Writing sample. The writing sample is an example of your written work, such as a paper submitted in an advanced undergraduate or graduate course.

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores
* Asian and Asian American Studies applicant minimum TOEFL scores: 79-80 on the Internet-based exam; 550 on the paper exam
* Asian and Asian American Studies applicant minimum IELTS score: 6.5, with no band below 5.0
* Asian and Asian American Studies applicant minimum PTE Academic score: 53

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With a long-standing commitment to theory and a progressive understanding of the discipline, the Comparative Literature Department has also embarked on a new effort to define the specific contributions of the humanities to the pressing socio-political and ethical concerns of the contemporary world. It actively embraces new directions for trans-disciplinary research and attempts to determine how such research can help to draw forth and carry forward the fundamental questions that concern the humanities. A strong engagement with the question of literary language and with contemporary work in the arts anchors this effort to rethink the place of the humanities and literary study while respecting the special temporalities and forms of encounter that characterize these domains.

The Department of Comparative Literature at Binghamton University offers three avenues of graduate study with MA and PhD options. It features, in addition to its primary MA and PhD programs in Comparative Literature, an MA in Translation Studies, a unique interdisciplinary doctoral program in Philosophy, Literature, and the Theory of Criticism, as well as a PhD in Translation Studies through the internationally recognized Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP).

Recent doctoral graduates have gone on to positions such as an assistant professor of English at Molloy College, professor of translation at Universidad de Antioqua, Columbia, and positions at Le Moyne, Appalachin State University, and Global IT.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Writing sample. MA: typically, applicants submit an upper-division undergraduate paper or an honors thesis

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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The Department of English, General Literature and Rhetoric offers students the opportunity to study literature and language in their many manifestations. Although English and American literature and the practice of creative and expository writing are primary, the department conceives of neither literature nor writing in a narrow or parochial way. Literature courses deal broadly with genres and themes from the past and present, and teach students how to read and analyze texts; creative writing courses foster, in qualified students, the development of serious creativity; rhetoric courses deal with both the theory and practice of communication, as well as the history of oral and written argument.

Recent doctoral graduate employment placements include: Assistant Professor at Pfeiffer University, Assistant Professor at University of California Channel Island, Lead Editor and Writer at Kathy Layne & Associates, Assistant Professor at Virginia State University, Assistant Professor at Ithaca College.

MA English/American Literature with a creative writing concentration also available.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you have attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Writing sample: All applicants: critical writing sample (10-20 pages). Creative writing applicants: portfolio of creative work (not more than 40 pages of fiction or 20 pages of verse)

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in French, Italian and Spanish follow a 9 course requirement in two plans. Prospective graduate students are encouraged to seek academic advise early in their planning to ensure sequences that best reflect expectations and future career choices and interests.
The Romance Languages and Literatures Department provides instruction in the French, Italian and Spanish languages and their literatures with the programs leading to the master of arts degree. A candidate for the MA is expected to acquire oral and written proficiency in one Romance language, sound knowledge of the principal aspects of the literature in that language; and familiarity with various methods of scholarship and criticism. An elementary knowledge of a second Romance language and of Latin is desirable.
The master of arts degree in each of the three languages follows a similar structure: nine (9) graduate courses (36 credits). Two of the nine are considered electives, selected with the student's adviser or department graduate director and tailored to the student's needs and future objectives, in closely related subject matter within the general framework of the Master's program. Of the remaining seven courses, the student is immersed in the literature and canon of the language being studied. A parallel program is available whereby one course substitution of a Thesis may be selected. All students are required to take Comprehensive Examinations. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test scores are required for admission. The requirements for the MA in French, Italian or Spanish may be satisfied according to Plan A or Plan B described below.

The Romance Languages and Literatures Department provides instruction in French language and literature leading to the master of arts degree. Students have the option of pursuing a track of study culminating in a master's thesis or may pursue a track of study whereby one course may be selected in substitution of the thesis.

The program at Binghamton University allows students to work closely with the accomplished members of our faculty throughout their academic careers, and also affords students the opportunity to participate in a joint MA/PhD program offered in collaboration with the Comparative Literature Department. The flexible programs and options for work done outside the department make Binghamton University a unique educational institution.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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The Romance Languages and Literatures Department provides instruction in Italian language and literature leading to the master of arts degree. Students have the option of pursuing a track of study culminating in a master's thesis or may pursue a track of study whereby one course may be selected in substitution of the thesis. The program at Binghamton University allows students to work closely with the accomplished members of our faculty throughout their academic careers. The flexible programs and options for work done outside the department make Binghamton University a unique educational institution.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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The Romance Languages and Literatures Department provides instruction in Spanish language and literature leading to the master of arts degree. Students have the option of pursuing a track of study culminating in a master's thesis or may pursue a track of study whereby one course may be selected in substitution of the thesis.

The program at Binghamton University allows students to work closely with the accomplished members of our faculty throughout their academic careers, and also affords students the opportunity to participate in a joint MA/PhD program offered in collaboration with the Comparative Literature Department. The flexible programs and options for work done outside the department make Binghamton University a unique educational institution.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program will prepare you to teach students in the United States and throughout in the world. A campus-wide focus on cultural diversity will introduce you to a community of learners in a local context. You will learn the intricacies of linguistics and teaching from specialists who have lived, worked and taught throughout the world. You will have the opportunity to put your skills to work in an assistantship at St. Cloud State's English as a Second Language Program or the Intensive English Center, a program that trains more than 100 English language learners from more than 15 countries each year. These two centers offer 50 assistantships each year.

Program Highlights

Courses available in the on campus and online.
The licensure program is available on campus or online.
22 percent students are from diverse U.S. backgrounds and 28 percent are international students.
Graduates receive professional credentials.
The on-campus program can be taken in conjunction with a K-12 ESL licensure for the state of Minnesota.
50 graduate assistantships available for qualified applicants.
The federally-sponsored TEACH Grant program offers up to $4,000 per year for students seeking K-12 ESL licensure​.
1+1 options offered in conjunction with partner institutions in Germany, Peru and Korea.

Program Distinctions

​Graduates have gone on to teach throughout the United States and 19 other countries.
​The program's nine faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields and have a combined 100 years of teaching experience.
More than 300 students have completed the program.
10 percent of graduates continue on for doctoral studies.

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A master’s degree in American studies from The University of Alabama gives students an opportunity to explore their interests and develop writing and thinking skills that expand career options.

Visit the website: http://ams.ua.edu/graduate/

Course detail

The flexibility of this two-year program gives you the freedom to take an interdisciplinary approach to intriguing questions, in a department that’s small enough to allow close interaction with faculty and fellow students, yet large enough to encompass a wide range of research interests.

Pursue your interests

This program allows graduate students to build on their academic backgrounds and interests through sustained study in a particular area. Our diverse faculty teaches a broad range of topics, and the program allows students to take courses in other departments, broadening their educational opportunities.

Format and assessment

Students may select of one two options: Plan I (consisting of 24 semester hours and a thesis) or Plan II (consisting of 30 semester hours).

All students take four required courses: American Experience I and II and American Studies Colloquium I and II. Students generally take these courses in their first year of the program. The American Experience courses survey American cultural history and introduce students to some of the prevalent texts, scholars, and ideas in the field of American Studies. The American Studies Colloquium, a sustained study that takes place over the course of two semesters, gives students the opportunity to develop a publishable paper on a topic of their choosing. In the course of this project, students do independent research, undergo peer review, and revise various drafts to produce a polished final paper.

In addition to the required courses, students can select from a range of elective courses. Student need at least six hours in seminar-style courses. Although the American Studies Department offers an array of courses each semester, students may choose to take up to nine hours outside of the department.

At the end of the program, students take comprehensive exams, which test their knowledge of the material that they encountered in their particular program of study. Many students find that comprehensive exams provide an exceptional way to review the things that they have learned in the program, and these exams also provide students who want to pursue a PhD with valuable experience doing this kind of exercise.

One of the unique aspects of the program is the opportunity to design and teach a course in your second year — to develop course ideas, design the syllabus, assign readings, and actually teach a subject you’re passionate about. In recent years students have taught courses on Woodstock, Walt Disney, Ronald Reagan, and modern gay America.

Work closely with faculty

The moderate size of our department creates an environment in which faculty are open and accessible, able to build close relationships with their students. And because our program offers only a master’s degree, here you won’t have to compete with doctoral students for faculty members’ time and attention.

Career options

This program prepares students for careers in journalism, public policy, law, public relations, historic preservation, academia, nonprofit organizations and more. While many of our graduate students go on to pursue doctorates at institutions nationwide, other students build meaningful non-academic careers from their connections and experiences in the program. Additionally, many students choose to do internships, which help them make career connections and earn academic credit.

How to apply: http://graduate.ua.edu/prospects/application/

Fund your studies

In the past five years (2011-2016), 90.6% of Alabama MA students have received funding. Whether supported by fellowships or graduate teaching assistantships – both of which include tuition, health insurance, and a stipend – the vast majority of our students receive financial assistance. Visit the website: http://ams.ua.edu/graduate/financial-aid/

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Literature

The English Department offers MAs in the areas of Literature, Renaissance Studies, and Composition/Rhetoric.

Department faculty mentor students at all stages of their graduate experience, from coursework to teaching to examinations and the writing of master’s theses and doctoral dissertations.

Graduate students in our Department not only have the opportunity to learn in an engaging environment but also to teach in one as well. Beginning in their first (for PhD candidates) and second (for MA candidates) years, they gain valuable classroom experience in composition classes, literature surveys, and courses they design themselves. Our program's scholarly and pedagogical preparation, as well as our detailed attention to professional placement, has enabled students to develop careers as teachers, scholars, publishers and editors.

Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies

"Bringing the Globe to Alabama"

The Strode Program is a privately endowed program to promote the study of English literature from Skelton to Milton. The endowment provides for lectures and residencies by distinguished scholars and fellowships for graduate study at the University of Alabama in the field of English Renaissance Literature.

Hudson Strode served on the University of Alabama faculty from 1916 to 1963. He was a prolific author and celebrated teacher of Shakespeare and of creative writing. The Strode program was endowed by Professor Strode and his wife, Thérèse.

Focus: The Graduate Student

The intellectual work and educational activities sponsored by the Strode Program, from fellowships to lecture series, from the Strode Seminar to summer research awards, converge upon a single focus: the graduate student. We have a lively and talented group of students specializing in English Renaissance literature in preparation for careers in colleges and universities, or for other professional or personal goals. The faculty is committed not only to teaching students but also to mentoring them, fostering a community of future scholars.

Our students have won departmental and college awards for teaching and they have won university-wide fellowships for dissertation research. A recent Ph.D. received the College of Arts and Sciences annual award for best dissertation. Topics treated in the dissertations produced by our students are diverse—from readings of Spenser which deploy the theories of Derrida and Lacan to studies of the representation of female sexuality which draw upon seventeenth-century London court records; from adaptations of Shakespeare for teen films to performance criticism of regional and university theatrical productions. Essays written by our students—on Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, on the agency of the letter in Hamlet, on class conflict in Coriolanus, on Leo Africanus and early modern imperialism, and on queer kinship in The Merchant of Venice—have appeared in Early Modern Literary Studies, English Literary History, English Literary Renaissance, Studies in English Literature, and Shakespeare, among other journals and essay collections.

We have an excellent record of placing Ph.D.s in tenure-track professorships. In the past ten years, 100% of our Ph.D. graduates who went on the academic job market eventually landed tenure-track jobs. Recent graduates have joined the faculty at Cornell College, High Point University, Mercer University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Xavier University, and Youngstown State University. M.A. students have matriculated to Ph.D. programs at Emory, Northwestern, Rutgers, University of California, University of Georgia, University of Oxford, University of Tennessee, and University of Washington, to name a few. Other M.A. students have gone on to law school, library school, the Peace Corps, high school teaching, or other opportunities.

Composition and Rhetoric

The graduate curriculum in CRES (Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies) provides a solid foundation in English studies with a particular focus on the teaching of writing and studies in language, literacy, and rhetoric. The doctoral program is designed for those seeking academic positions as composition specialists (researchers, teachers, or administrators) in postsecondary English departments that emphasize writing instruction. The MA program is ideal for those who wish to do community college teaching or administrative work, and for students wishing to continue on to the PhD.

The graduate curriculum provides core courses in composition-rhetoric as well as elective opportunities in literature, linguistics, communication studies, education, and interdisciplinary areas such as gender and race. CRES students have opportunities to teach first-year writing, technical writing, and sophomore literature surveys. We also offer opportunities for writing center work and writing program administration.

Our graduates have obtained tenure-track positions at community colleges and four-year institutions such as Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, NC), Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa, AL), North Carolina Wesleyan College (Rocky Mount, NC), Judson College (Marion, AL), Charlotte School of Law (NC), Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, AL), the University of Houston, Itawamba Community College (Fulton, MS), Chattanooga State Community College (TN), Hinds Community College (Jackson, Mississippi), Marion Military Institute (Marion, AL), Louisiana Tech, Murray State (KY), the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the University of Texas-El Paso, Alabama A&M, St. Louis Community College (Meramec Campus), LaGrange College (GA), East Tennessee State, the University of South Alabama, Eastern Illinois University, and the University of North Alabama.

Application to all graduate programs offered by the Department of English is made through the University of Alabama Graduate School online application, which can be accessed by following the link on the English Department's Admissions page.

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The Applied Linguistics/TESOL program is designed to prepare competent professionals in the field of applied linguistics specializing in teaching English to speakers of other languages. With a structured yet flexible curriculum that draws on courses taught by other linguists within the university, along with supervised classroom teaching opportunities both in a first-year writing program and also in an intensive English program, our program strives to help students acquire the linguistic knowledge, cultural understanding, and teaching skills necessary for a successful career in applied linguistics/TESOL.

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