University of Mississippi

What you'll study

The MA in English Language and Literature combines close reading, historical and theoretical study, and original research. Students take core seminars in literary theory and methods while selecting electives across periods, genres and special topics. Study typically covers:

• Historical periods: Renaissance, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, modernism and contemporary literature.
• Geographical and regional specialisms: British literature, American literature (including Southern literature), and transatlantic or postcolonial studies.
• Theory and criticism: formalist, feminist, Marxist, postcolonial, queer, ecocritical and other contemporary approaches.
• Language and rhetoric: linguistic approaches to literature, rhetoric and composition studies.
• Special topics and electives: digital humanities, folklore and cultural studies, creative writing (where offered), archival research and bibliographical studies.

Programme structure commonly offers a combination of seminars, elective courses and a substantial research component. Students may complete a thesis supervised by a faculty member or follow a non-thesis track that includes additional seminar credits and a comprehensive examination or capstone research project. Teaching opportunities as graduate teaching assistants are frequently available, providing practical experience in composition and literature instruction.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and applicants should demonstrate strong undergraduate preparation in English or a closely related humanities discipline. Typical application materials include:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a strong academic record.
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
• A current CV or résumé outlining academic and relevant professional experience.
• A statement of purpose describing research interests, academic background and professional goals.
• One or more academic letters of recommendation from faculty who can speak to scholarly potential.
• A writing sample demonstrating analytical skill and familiarity with literary scholarship (often a term paper or undergraduate dissertation chapter).
• Documentation of English language proficiency for international applicants (such as TOEFL or IELTS scores) when applicable.

Prospective applicants should consult the department for details about specific prerequisites, minimum grade expectations and the availability of assistantships or funding.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in English Language and Literature pursue a wide range of careers that make use of advanced research, writing and critical thinking skills. Common pathways include:

• Doctoral study and academic careers in literature, cultural studies or language and rhetoric.
• Secondary education and curriculum development (often combined with teacher certification where required).
• Publishing, editing and literary agency work, including copyediting and acquisitions.
• Museum, archive and library work, including special collections and public history roles.
• Public humanities, cultural programming and non-profit communications.
• Corporate and government communications, marketing, grant writing and content strategy.
• Further professional study in law, librarianship, archival science or information management.

The programme’s emphasis on writing, textual analysis and research preparation makes graduates adaptable across sectors that value clear argumentation, close reading and project management.

Why study at University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi offers a department with robust strengths in American and Southern literary studies, supported by campus resources that benefit graduate researchers. The university’s Special Collections and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture provide rich archival materials and programming for scholars of regional and national literary history. Faculty research covers a spectrum of periods and theoretical approaches, creating opportunities for close mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Graduate students benefit from a residential campus in Oxford, a city with a lively literary community and frequent readings, conferences and cultural events. Teaching assistantships and other forms of graduate support are available to qualified students, and the department encourages professional development in pedagogy, digital scholarship and public-facing humanities work. These features make the University of Mississippi a strong environment for students seeking rigorous literary training alongside practical teaching and research experience.