Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-MA-ENGL-LING
The Master of Arts in English at Mason offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills of reading, writing, research and teaching with courses that encompass the wide range of contemporary English studies. Students can work in and across concentrations in literature, professional writing, rhetoric, cultural studies, film, folklore, linguistics, and the teaching of writing and literature. It offers the MA in field-specific concentrations as well as the opportunity to combine a concentration in one field with a certificate from another one. Many students use the MA for professional enhancement, or as an entry into teaching, professional writing, or doctoral study.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Total credits: 30
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 30 credits in one concentration as specified below.
Students in the concentrations of cultural studies, linguistics, literature, and teaching of writing and literature must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a foreign language in one of the following ways: submitting an undergraduate (or continuing education) transcript that includes courses corresponding to intermediate proficiency; completing a Mason foreign language course numbered 202 or higher; passing a proficiency exam administered by the English department.
The linguistics concentration combines courses in linguistics with courses in some related area of language study, such as teaching English as a second language, bilingual education, or foreign language teaching. This course of study is designed to prepare students for teaching in one of these fields or for doctoral work. The certificate in teaching English as a second language (TESL) can be earned concurrently.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| LING 580 | First Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LING 690 | Phonology I | 3 |
| LING 692 | Phonology II | 3 |
| LING 785 | Semantics and Pragmatics | 3 |
| LING 786 | Syntax I | 3 |
| LING 787 | Syntax II | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits of electives 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 |
In consultation with an advisor, chosen from courses that reflect one or more areas of language study. Electives can be in such areas as linguistics, the teaching of reading or writing, literary criticism, bilingual education, or a foreign language, and may include 6 credits of thesis. |