MA in English in Columbia United States | University of Missouri

The English Department is home to more than 30 full-time tenured and tenure-track professors, along with over 50 graduate students pursuing MA and PhD degrees. These programs focus on critical theory and cover all significant literary eras, from Medieval and Early Modern to Restoration, 18th Century, Romantic, Victorian, American literature up to 1914, and Modern/Contemporary works.

Students can specialize in Creative Writing, Literature, or Language and Linguistics (MA only). The university also provides interdisciplinary graduate minors in areas like Women's and Gender Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, College Teaching, and more (see full list here).

Through various initiatives, programs, courses, and colloquia, we actively incorporate students into our dynamic academic community (check our department calendar for events). The English Graduate Student Association (EGSA) holds seats on all key departmental committees, collaborating closely with faculty on graduate education matters.

Our two-year MA program requires 30 credit hours, with at least 15 from 8000-level graduate seminars. The curriculum expands upon undergraduate knowledge, offering both broad literary/cultural perspectives and opportunities for specialized research. Note: MA students must secure external funding as departmental teaching/research assistantships are unavailable.

The MA program features flexible scheduling options - students can enroll full-time, part-time, or choose a low-residency format. This part-time pathway particularly benefits working professionals balancing career and education.