Marymount University

What you'll study

This master's programme combines close reading, theoretical approaches and research methods to explore literature and language from the early modern period to the present. Students choose from core courses and electives that support either a research thesis or a practicum/portfolio route, allowing a balance between scholarly study and applied work.

• Core modules: literary theory and criticism; research methods in literary studies; advanced composition and rhetoric.
• Period and genre courses: American literature; British literature; modern and contemporary fiction; poetry studies; Shakespeare and early modern drama.
• Specialist electives: digital humanities and textual editing; literary and cultural theory; film and media adaptations; postcolonial and global literatures; gender and sexuality studies.
• Applied options: creative writing workshops, editing and publishing practicum, professional writing, or a capstone portfolio.
• Capstone: students complete either a supervised thesis project demonstrating original research or a practicum/portfolio focused on professional outputs such as curriculum design, a publishable article, or an editorial project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in English, literature, language studies or a closely related field. Typical requirements include:

• A completed undergraduate degree with a competitive GPA (applicants with non‑traditional backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant skills and experience are also considered).
• A writing sample that demonstrates analytical and critical skills (often an essay from an undergraduate course or a short research paper).
• A personal statement outlining academic interests, career goals and reasons for choosing the programme.
• Two academic or professional references commenting on readiness for graduate study.
• Evidence of English language proficiency for international applicants (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL) where applicable.

Additional materials such as a curriculum vitae and transcripts are required. Some applicants may be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in English Language and Literature pursue a wide range of careers across public, private and academic sectors. The degree develops skills in critical thinking, research, written and oral communication, and project management that employers value.

• Further study: preparation for doctoral programmes (PhD) in literature, cultural studies or related fields.
• Education: positions in secondary education (often combined with certification), college-level adjunct teaching, curriculum development, and educational publishing.
• Publishing and media: editorial roles, copyediting, content strategy, journalism and digital publishing.
• Communications and public affairs: roles in corporate communications, nonprofit communications, grant writing and advocacy organisations—particularly given Marymount’s proximity to Washington, D.C.
• Creative industries and cultural organisations: museums, archives, literary festivals, and arts administration.

Why study at Marymount University

Marymount University offers a personalised graduate experience with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, enabling intensive feedback on research and writing. The programme benefits from the university’s liberal arts foundation while providing practical options—such as practicum placements and internship links—that prepare students for applied careers.

The university’s location near Washington, D.C. gives students access to libraries, research centres, cultural institutions and internship opportunities not far from campus. Students also benefit from flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals, and from campus resources including a dedicated writing centre and library collections that support advanced literary research.