10 Years of Being Powered by Kent State Students

IdeaBase Celebrating 10 Years in the Gallery in the DI Hub - Photo by Ryan Moore

Based on ideas, design and experiential learning, IdeaBase is celebrating 10 years of being powered by Kent State University students. IdeaBase is a student design agency, part of the College of Communication and Information, that provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and co-curricular partnerships with faculty in the Schools of Media and Journalism and Emerging Media and Technology. "Our students are getting great experience working with clients, working with each other on interdisciplinary teams — students with different majors — working with real timelines ...

English - Ph.D.

Shape the stories that shape the world with Kent State’s English Ph.D., where advanced study of literature, rhetoric and writing is grounded in the power of narrative to drive change. Through rigorous research and creative inquiry, you will learn to analyze and craft narratives that influence ideas, inspire action and open doors to impactful careers in academia and beyond, from law and education to information science.

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Program Information for English - Ph.D.

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in English offers students extensive learning in the areas of literature, rhetoric and composition, writing studies and beyond, with a distinctive focus on narrative. The program provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the ways narratives not only represent the world but also make it and change it, for both good and ill.

Narrative is defined very broadly as a fundamental and ubiquitous mode of thought that guides perception, constructs feelings and directs actions, operating at varying scales, in all domains and through multiple media and modes of perception. Students acquire advanced skills in critiquing, revising and creating narratives in the service of more effective and socially responsible problem solving, decision making, innovation and action planning. These skills are useful in a range of professions both in and outside the university, including law, teaching and library and information science. Graduates are well prepared to engage with a changing world.

Admissions for English - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree in English or related discipline from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages)1
  • Writing sample (12-25 pages) relevant to the field of study
  • Three letters of recommendation2
  • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term: Interview with faculty (virtual) for applicants being considered for assistantships
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:3
    • Minimum 102 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 73 PTE score
    • Minimum 130 DET score
1

Goal statement should describe relevant preparation, research interests and long-range academic and career goals.

2

Recommendation letters should be from current or recent professors/advisors who can speak to the applicant's intellectual abilities and scholarly potential.

3

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: December 1 (international student) and January 15 (domestic student)
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
      Applicants for the spring semester will not be considered for funded assistantships.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze and interpret literary and non-literary texts and narratives.
  2. Interpret and explain research in and connections between the fields of narrative theory, literary studies, rhetoric and writing studies.
  3. Design and implement an original long-form research project and apply appropriate research methods.
  4. Communicate research clearly and effectively in written, ora, and/or multi-modal formats.
  5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ENG 76705NARRATIVE FUNCTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES 3
ENG 76706UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES 3
ENG 76707PRACTICING NARRATIVE RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN 3
English Electives, choose from the following:21
ENG 72291
SEMINAR:BRITISH LITERATURE 1800 TO PRESENT
ENG 73034
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
ENG 75012
READING AND INTERPRETING RESEARCH ON WRITING
ENG 75022
RHETORICAL THEORY:GREEK AND ROMAN
ENG 75027
ROLE OF COMPOSITION
ENG 75035
LINGUISTICS FOR RHETORICIANS
ENG 75051
LITERACY: FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES AND HISTORY
ENG 75052
WRITING ACTIVITY AS SOCIAL PRACTICE
ENG 75053
WRITING TECHNOLOGIES
ENG 76051
SHAKESPEARE
ENG 76101
LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR
ENG 76103
ETHNIC LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 76104
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE
ENG 76302
POST-COLONIAL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
ENG 76491
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
ENG 76501
NARRATIVE LITERATURE
ENG 76502
DRAMATIC LITERATURE
ENG 76595
SPECIAL TOPICS:AUTHORS AND AUTHORSHIP
ENG 76791
SEMINAR:BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE
ENG 76891
SEMINAR:LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 76895
SPECIAL TOPICS
ENG 76991
SEMINAR:GENRE
ENG 77104
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 77591
SEMINAR:THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 77691
SEMINAR:SCHOLARLY EDITING
ENG 85024
DOMAIN RHETORICS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE
ENG 85041
FIELD RESEARCH METHODS IN WRITING
ENG 85042
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
ENG 85054
STUDIES IN LITERACY AND COMMUNITY
ENG 85055
THE NATURE AND RELATIONSHIP OF ACADEMIC AND NONACADEMIC LITERACY
ENG 85056
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF WRITING ASSESSMENT: RESEARCH, THEORY AND PRACTICE
ENG 85057
RHETORICAL METHODS
Other Coordinator-Approved Electives
Culminating Requirement
ENG 89199DISSERTATION I 130
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for ENG 89199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for ENG 89199, and thereafter ENG 89299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. Credit hours for ENG 89299 do not count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Students on appointment who have not had college teaching experience are required to take ENG 61094. The master's-level course cannot be applied toward the doctoral degree.
  • Students are required to pass a foreign language requirement for the degree.

Candidacy for the Degree

Doctoral students must pass two written examinations in two distinct areas of English studies before being admitted to candidacy. They must also defend a dissertation prospectus.

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for English - Ph.D.

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

0.0%

little or no change

72,200

number of jobs

$78,270

potential earnings

Proofreaders and copy markers

-0.6%

little or no change

12,000

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

-1.6%

decline

1,094,500

number of jobs

$64,580

potential earnings

Additional careers
  • Authors and writers
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Teaching English as a Second Language - M.A.

Advance your impact in global and multilingual classrooms with the M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language. Grounded in linguistics, language acquisition and research-based pedagogy, the program combines theory with hands-on practicum experience to prepare you to teach effectively in diverse settings at home and abroad.

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Program Information for Teaching English as a Second Language - M.A.

Program Description

On This Page

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language is grounded in linguistic principles, language learning theory and empirical research on language learning and teaching. The program enables students to teach effectively in varied learning contexts. Students gain experience through a supervised practicum and have the opportunity to teach in a variety of English-as-a-second/foreign-language contexts. Graduates are prepared for international teaching and research, adult education, and advanced study in applied linguistics. literacy positions.

The Teaching English as a Second Language major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The TESL Education concentration prepares students for P-12 school educators. Students' practicum takes place in area schools, and students prepare for the state licensure requirements.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Teaching English as a Second Language - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic criteria and other specific program criteria.

1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: January 15
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of different associated fields within teaching English as a second language, including linguistics, language acquisition, pedagogy and practice.
  2. Demonstrate what knowledge of the field and disciplines making up teaching English as a second language.
  3. Demonstrate skills in teaching.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of different cultural norms and practices and the ability to accommodate teaching practices based on these differences.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ENG 63001METHODOLOGY OF TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE 3
ENG 63033THEORIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION 3
ENG 63040LINGUISTICS FOR THE LANGUAGE PROFESSIONS 3
ENG 63041DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH 3
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:
ENG 69199
THESIS I 1
Portfolio
Comprehensive Exam
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:24-33
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
TESL Education Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:36-45
1

The thesis option is not available to students declared in the TESL Education concentration. Thesis candidates must register for ENG 69199 for a total of 6 credit hours toward the degree (will count in major electives). If the thesis has not been defended after 6 credit hours, candidates will continuously register for ENG 69299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. Credit hours for ENG 69299 do not count toward the degree.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

ENG 63034SOCIOLINGUISTICS 3
or ENG 63047 HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
or ENG 63048 SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
ENG 68492PRACTICUM IN TEACHING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 118
ENG 63034
SOCIOLINGUISTICS 2
ENG 63038
TEACHING LITERATURE AND CULTURE
ENG 63039
SECOND LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT
ENG 63043
SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING
ENG 63044
SECOND LANGUAGE READING
ENG 63045
ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
ENG 63046
SECOND LANGUAGE LISTENING AND SPEAKING
ENG 63047
HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING 2
ENG 63048
SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION 2
ENG 63049
SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH METHODS
ENG 63391
SEMINAR: LINGUISTICS
ENG 69199
THESIS I
MCLS 50654
TECHNOLOGY AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Minimum Total Credit Hours:24
1

Students may use up to 6 credit hours in appropriate graduate courses from other departments with approval of department advisor toward the major electives.

2

Students may choose these courses if not chosen above.

TESL Education Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
ENG 51525INQUIRY INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 13
ENG 53392STUDENT TEACHING 1,2,3,46
ENG 63044SECOND LANGUAGE READING 3
ENG 68592PRACTICUM IN TEACHING P-12 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS 2,33
EPSY 65524LEARNING THEORIES 3
or EPSY 68901 PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
or EPSY 68905 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPED 53062CURRICULUM METHODS MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION 3
TLCS 67310THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE TEACHING OF READING 3
or TLCS 67330 LITERACY IN THE CONTENT AREAS
Cultural Foundations Elective, choose from the following:3
CULT 60030
SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF EDUCATION: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND THEORY
CULT 65530
SCHOOLING AND SOCIETY: HISTORY, AIMS AND POLITICS OF EDUCATION
CULT 69521
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE AND POLICY
CULT 69582
SOCIAL THEORIES IN EDUCATION
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6
ENG 63034
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
ENG 63038
TEACHING LITERATURE AND CULTURE
ENG 63039
SECOND LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT
ENG 63043
SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING
ENG 63045
ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
ENG 63046
SECOND LANGUAGE LISTENING AND SPEAKING
ENG 63047
HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
ENG 63048
SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
ENG 63049
SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH METHODS
EPSY 65524
LEARNING THEORIES
MCLS 50654
TECHNOLOGY AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
TLCS 60169
UNDERSTANDING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
TLCS 60171
TEACHING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
TLCS 61130
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
Minimum Total Credit Hours:33
1

ENG 51525 and ENG 53392 must be taken concurrently.

2

Students complete 100 hours of field work as teacher assistants in area schools, which enable them to gain collaborative clinical experience as P-12 teachers.

3

Prior to enrollment in ENG 53392 and ENG 68592, students must be evaluated satisfactorily on non-academic  dimensions, including completing background checks and modules. Further information is available in the Office of Graduate Student Services.

4

During students' full-time student teaching assignment, they are assessed on professional dispositions, understanding of codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to TESL and work with English language learners. In the school context, students are assessed data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilization and support of appropriate technology for the discipline; and understanding of laws related to English language learners.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • As the culminating requirement for the M.A. degree, all students must complete either a portfolio, comprehensive exam or thesis, see information below.
  • All students in the M.A. degree cannot be concurrently enrolled in the Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language graduate certificate. Students who have earned the certificate may be permitted to apply 12 graduate credit hours from the certificate toward the M.A. degree.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Culminating Requirement

Portfolio

The intent of the portfolio is to provide M.A. candidates the opportunity to present their professional development, to integrate theory and practice, and to point to future career directions in teaching English as a second language. The portfolio is typically completed during the candidate's last semester of study. The portfolio is designed to selectively demonstrate superior examples of the candidate’s work in a number of areas. The documents in candidates’ portfolios are typical of the kinds of documents often required for submission on the job market. They also reflect candidates’ academic development in the course of the M.A. program.

To establish their portfolio committee, candidates should take the following steps:

  • Request the participation of committee members near the beginning of the semester in which the candidate intends to submit the portfolio.
  • Coordinate with both committee members to determine a date for the portfolio defense.

Candidates should submit the completed portfolio to the committee one week prior to defending it. During the defense, candidates should give a brief (10 minute) presentation highlighting the strengths of the portfolio. The committee will then examine the student on the elements of the portfolio and suggest revisions. Portfolio defenses may not be scheduled during finals week.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination, taken in the penultimate or final semester, is an opportunity for M.A. candidates to synthesize and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the field of teaching English as a second/foreign language. The exam is a series of three written parts on materials covering courses that students completed during their program of study. One of the areas of examination must be ESL/EFL pedagogy-related.

The semester prior to the exam, students should contact three faculty members whose classes they would like to be examined in from within the program. Examiners will provide the candidate with possible exam questions.

The exam will be scheduled over a three-day period. Exams may only be taken in the fall or spring semester, and they may not be scheduled during finals week. Each of the three parts of the exam will take four hours to complete.

Faculty members supplying questions from the exam will evaluate the student's response. Students who pass all three parts of the exam will have completed the culminating requirement for the degree. Students who fail one or more of the parts of the exam must take the exam again during the next semester.

Thesis in Applied Linguistics

Note: The thesis option is not available to students declared in the TESL Education concentration.

The thesis enables candidates to carry out in-depth primary and secondary research on a problem current in the field identified by the student in collaboration with a program faculty member who will serve as thesis advisor. The thesis is typically completed in students' final two semesters. The thesis option is only encouraged for academic scholars and must meet faculty and dean approvals. In order to complete a thesis, students must submit an approval from through the college in the semester prior to the semester in which they plan to graduate.

Candidates must obtain approval from the thesis advisor prior to scheduling the defense. A completed printed copy of the thesis must be circulated to the committee members two weeks prior to the defense. During the defense, the candidate should briefly outline the research and findings in a 10-minute summary presentation. The committed will then examine the student on the elements of the theses and suggest revisions.

The student is responsible for checking college deadlines for filing completed defense forms and the thesis itself. Failure to do so will result in a failure to graduate in the semester the student intends. In any event, thesis defenses may not be scheduled during finals week or during the summer term.

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Teaching English as a Second Language - M.A.

Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors

-13.7%

decline

40,900

number of jobs

$59,950

potential earnings

Elementary school teachers, except special education

-2.0%

decline

1,422,700

number of jobs

$62,340

potential earnings

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

0.0%

little or no change

72,200

number of jobs

$78,270

potential earnings

Kindergarten teachers, except special education

-1.6%

decline

117,200

number of jobs

$61,430

potential earnings

Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

-2.0%

decline

633,700

number of jobs

$62,970

potential earnings

Preschool teachers, except special education

4.1%

about as fast as the average

555,100

number of jobs

$37,120

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

-1.6%

decline

1,094,500

number of jobs

$64,580

potential earnings

Teachers and instructors, all other

-0.1%

little or no change

153,800

number of jobs

$64,690

potential earnings

Tutors

0.6%

little or no change

215,500

number of jobs

$40,090

potential earnings

Additional careers
  • Academic advisors
  • Community college ESL instructors
  • Curriculum designers
  • Educational consultants
  • Educational material writers/editors
  • Language assessment writers/editors
  • Language program directors
  • Language school instructors (in the U.S. or abroad)
  • Teacher educators
  • Teacher supervisors
  • Teachers of English as a foreign language
  • University ESL instructors
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Creative Writing - M.F.A.

The Creative Writing M.F.A. program is designed for aspiring writers who want to hone their craft and take their skills to the next level. With a focus on individual attention and mentorship from experienced faculty, you will have the opportunity to refine your writing skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. Whether you are interested in fiction, poetry or nonfiction, our program provides you with the tools needed to achieve your writing goals.

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Program Information for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing is a consortium program between Kent State, University of Akron and Cleveland State University  (Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts or NEOMFA).

The degree allows students to take advantage of collaboration with an award-winning 15-member faculty and to concentrate in the writing of plays, poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. The number and variety of the faculty guarantee consistent individual attention to student work. The range of study gives students opportunities to take classes with other writers from different backgrounds and in different genres. An annual series of readings and visiting writers in all genres supports the regular curricular offerings.

Selected students attend special summer programs, such as the Juniper Institute in Massachusetts; many students attend the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference representing the consortium, or publish in journals and presses associated with the program.

Admissions for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to both the NEOMFA consortium and Kent State University. For more information on admission to the consortium, visit the NEOMFA website.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: January 15
      Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Critique creative literary works in a workshop environment.
  2. Critique and revise their own material.
  3. Create a high quality publishable work of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama or literary translation.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of theories and practices of creative writing and the creative process.
  5. Develop skills in creative writing in real world job situations.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Writing Workshops15
Craft and Theory courses9
Literature courses6
Internship 13
Electives9
Culminating Requirement
ENG 69199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:48
1

The internship must be in a teaching, editing or arts administration setting.

2

The thesis must be submitted according to the general requirements established by the university. The student is required to defend the thesis in an oral presentation before a committee of graduate faculty from a minimum of two consortium schools. Students must continually register for ENG 69199 for maximum 6 credit hours toward the degree. Students may need to register for ENG 69299 to complete the thesis requirement; however, those credit hours do not, whatsoever, count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

Editors

0.6%

little or no change

115,800

number of jobs

$75,260

potential earnings

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

0.0%

little or no change

72,200

number of jobs

$78,270

potential earnings

Postsecondary teachers, all other

1.8%

slower than the average

183,400

number of jobs

$78,490

potential earnings

Writers and authors

3.6%

about as fast as the average

135,400

number of jobs

$72,270

potential earnings

Additional careers
  • Content development
  • Copywriting
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Publishing
  • Arts administration
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

English - M.A.

The English M.A. program offers advanced study of literature, writing and critical thinking. With a focus on small class sizes and mentorship from experienced faculty, you will hone your analytical and creative skills and advance your career opportunities.

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Program Information for English - M.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in English offers students broad learning in the areas of literature, rhetoric and composition, writing studies and beyond, with a distinctive focus on narrative. The program provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the ways narratives not only represent the world but also make it and change it, for both good and ill.

Narrative is defined very broadly as a fundamental and ubiquitous mode of thought that guides perception, constructs feelings and directs actions, operating at varying scales, in all domains and through multiple media and modes of perception. Students acquire advanced skills in critiquing, revising and creating narratives in the service of more effective and socially responsible problem solving, decision making, innovation and action planning. These skills are useful in a range of professions both in and outside the university, including law, teaching and library and information science. The M.A. degree is also strong preparation for doctoral study.

Admissions for English - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Writing sample (8-15 pages) relevant to the field of study
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages)1
  • Three letters of recommendation2
  • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term: Interview with faculty (virtual) for applicants being considered for assistantships
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:3
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

Goal statement should describe relevant preparation, research interests and long-range academic and career goals.

2

Recommendation letters should be from current or recent professors/advisors who can speak to the applicant's intellectual abilities and scholarly potential.

3

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: December 1 (international student) and January 15 (domestic student)
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
      Applicants for the spring semester will not be considered for funded assistantships.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze and interpret literary and non-literary texts and narratives.
  2. Interpret and explain research in and connections between the fields of narrative theory, literary studies, rhetoric and writing studies.
  3. Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
  4. Communicate research clearly and effectively in written, oral and/or multi-modal formats.
  5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ENG 66705NARRATIVE FUNCTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES 3
ENG 66706UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES 3
ENG 66707PRACTICING NARRATIVE RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN 3
English Electives, choose from the following:24
ENG 61094
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN THE TEACHING OF COLLEGE WRITING 1
ENG 62291
SEMINAR:BRITISH LITERATURE 1800 TO PRESENT
ENG 63034
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
ENG 63041
DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH
ENG 65012
READING AND INTERPRETING RESEARCH ON WRITING
ENG 65022
RHETORICAL THEORY:GREEK AND ROMAN
ENG 65027
ROLE OF COMPOSITION
ENG 65035
LINGUISTICS FOR RHETORICIANS
ENG 65051
LITERACY: FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES AND HISTORY
ENG 65052
WRITING ACTIVITY AS SOCIAL PRACTICE
ENG 65053
WRITING TECHNOLOGIES
ENG 66051
SHAKESPEARE
ENG 66101
LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR
ENG 66103
ETHNIC LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 66104
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE
ENG 66302
POST-COLONIAL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
ENG 66491
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
ENG 66501
NARRATIVE LITERATURE
ENG 66502
DRAMATIC LITERATURE
ENG 66595
SPECIAL TOPICS:AUTHORS AND AUTHORSHIP
ENG 66791
SEMINAR:BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE
ENG 66891
SEMINAR:LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 66895
SPECIAL TOPICS
ENG 66991
SEMINAR:GENRE
ENG 67104
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 67591
SEMINAR: THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 67691
SEMINAR:SCHOLARLY EDITING
Other Coordinator-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:33
1

Students who will serve as graduate assistants are required to take ENG 61094.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Students are required to complete 33 credit hours of graded coursework to earn the M.A. degree.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for English - M.A.

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

0.0%

little or no change

72,200

number of jobs

$78,270

potential earnings

Proofreaders and copy markers

-0.6%

little or no change

12,000

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

-1.6%

decline

1,094,500

number of jobs

$64,580

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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When we come together, Golden Flashes create a legacy of brilliance that makes the world Forever Brighter. At Kent State University, we are continuing the proud tradition of giving back during the Giving Tuesday campaign this November. This monthlong celebration of giving brings the Kent State community together to support student success and build a brighter future for the blue and gold. From Oct. 31 through Nov. 28, Kent State’s most generous annual tradition offers our alumni and friends the opportunity to give with a purpose by supporting what matters most to them. With a record 58 G...

English - M.A.

The English M.A. program offers advanced study of literature, writing and critical thinking. With a focus on small class sizes and mentorship from experienced faculty, you will hone your analytical and creative skills and advance your career opportunities.

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Program Information for English - M.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in English offers students broad learning in the areas of literature, rhetoric and composition, writing studies and beyond, with a distinctive focus on narrative. The program provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the ways narratives not only represent the world but also make it and change it, for both good and ill.

Narrative is defined very broadly as a fundamental and ubiquitous mode of thought that guides perception, constructs feelings and directs actions, operating at varying scales, in all domains and through multiple media and modes of perception. Students acquire advanced skills in critiquing, revising and creating narratives in the service of more effective and socially responsible problem solving, decision making, innovation and action planning. These skills are useful in a range of professions both in and outside the university, including law, teaching and library and information science. The M.A. degree is also strong preparation for doctoral study.

Admissions for English - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Writing sample (8-15 pages) relevant to the field of study
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages)1
  • Three letters of recommendation2
  • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term: Interview with faculty (virtual) for applicants being considered for assistantships
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:3
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

Goal statement should describe relevant preparation, research interests and long-range academic and career goals.

2

Recommendation letters should be from current or recent professors/advisors who can speak to the applicant's intellectual abilities and scholarly potential.

3

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: December 1 (international student) and January 15 (domestic student)
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
      Applicants for the spring semester will not be considered for funded assistantships.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze and interpret literary and non-literary texts and narratives.
  2. Interpret and explain research in and connections between the fields of narrative theory, literary studies, rhetoric and writing studies.
  3. Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
  4. Communicate research clearly and effectively in written, oral and/or multi-modal formats.
  5. Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ENG 66705NARRATIVE FUNCTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES 3
ENG 66706UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES 3
ENG 66707PRACTICING NARRATIVE RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN 3
English Electives, choose from the following:24
ENG 61094
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN THE TEACHING OF COLLEGE WRITING 1
ENG 62291
SEMINAR:BRITISH LITERATURE 1800 TO PRESENT
ENG 63034
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
ENG 63041
DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH
ENG 65012
READING AND INTERPRETING RESEARCH ON WRITING
ENG 65022
RHETORICAL THEORY:GREEK AND ROMAN
ENG 65027
ROLE OF COMPOSITION
ENG 65035
LINGUISTICS FOR RHETORICIANS
ENG 65051
LITERACY: FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES AND HISTORY
ENG 65052
WRITING ACTIVITY AS SOCIAL PRACTICE
ENG 65053
WRITING TECHNOLOGIES
ENG 66051
SHAKESPEARE
ENG 66101
LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR
ENG 66103
ETHNIC LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 66104
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE
ENG 66302
POST-COLONIAL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
ENG 66491
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
ENG 66501
NARRATIVE LITERATURE
ENG 66502
DRAMATIC LITERATURE
ENG 66595
SPECIAL TOPICS:AUTHORS AND AUTHORSHIP
ENG 66791
SEMINAR:BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE
ENG 66891
SEMINAR:LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
ENG 66895
SPECIAL TOPICS
ENG 66991
SEMINAR:GENRE
ENG 67104
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 67591
SEMINAR: THEORY AND CRITICISM
ENG 67691
SEMINAR:SCHOLARLY EDITING
Other Coordinator-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:33
1

Students who will serve as graduate assistants are required to take ENG 61094.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Students are required to complete 33 credit hours of graded coursework to earn the M.A. degree.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for English - M.A.

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

0.0%

little or no change

72,200

number of jobs

$78,270

potential earnings

Proofreaders and copy markers

-0.6%

little or no change

12,000

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

-1.6%

decline

1,094,500

number of jobs

$64,580

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
$75,000 Susan Harwood Grant Awarded to Kent State Geauga to Provide Occupational Safety & Health Training to Protect Women in Geauga County

NOTE: Kent State Geauga’s workplace safety training program, at the time of initial publication of this document (10/2023), is funded by a grant of $75,000 in federal funds, which constitutes 100 percent of the program budget. Zero percent, or $0 of the program budget, is financed through nongovernmental sources. Workforce training—in both English and Spanish—is coming soon to small businesses in Geauga County, focusing on safety and health hazards that disproportionately affect women workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is part of the United States Departmen...

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