English Literature (MA)

What is A English Literature (MA) Degree?

People who study the field of English learn about linguistics: words, sentences, meanings, phonetics, phonology, and the patterns of sounds in the language.  A big part of English programs is studying literature written in the English language.  If you’re interested in teaching in an English department at a 2-year college, moving into a more specialized job in, say, publishing or marketing, or simply improving your skills, you may choose an MA degree in English Literature.

To complete this degree, you’ll dig deeper in the both classic and modern poetry and prose, and you’ll do a great deal more in-depth analysis of what you’re reading.  This really improves your critical thinking and analytical ability.  Some writers say that analyzing literature in depth while working with other students of like mind actually improves their own writing.  Most MA degree programs in English Literature allow a lot of flexibility in course and experience choices, often depending upon the specialties of the faculty, all of whom will likely be experienced writers.  The program will include seminars, workshops, and lots of analytical writing, culminating in a major thesis.

The video below discusses a “typical” program, so it should help regardless of which school you are considering.