Northern Arizona University

What you'll study

The MA curriculum combines advanced coursework in literary periods and genres with training in literary theory, research methods and professional communication. Students take seminars that explore topics such as British and American literature, world and comparative literatures, contemporary literary theory, and specialised electives (for example, studies in gender, race and ethnicity, environmental or regional literatures).

Typical module topics and course types include:

• Historical surveys (e.g. Renaissance, Romanticism, Victorian, Modern/Postmodern)
• Topical and genre seminars (e.g. poetry, drama, the novel, ecocriticism)
• Critical theory and methods (close reading, cultural theory, digital textual analysis)
• Research practicum and professional development (publishing, pedagogy, public humanities)
• Pedagogical training for teaching undergraduates, including opportunities to serve as a graduate teaching assistant

Program structure normally offers pathways for a thesis or a non‑thesis option (comprehensive exam or project), allowing students to pursue a sustained research project or a practicum/portfolio that demonstrates mastery of the field.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, preferably with significant coursework in English, literature, writing or a closely related humanities field. Admissions panels typically look for evidence of strong academic performance, intellectual promise and readiness for graduate‑level research.

Common application components include:

• A personal statement outlining academic interests and reasons for pursuing the MA
• Transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions
• Academic references (usually two or three letters)
• A writing sample that demonstrates analytical and critical skills (often an essay or course paper)
• For international applicants, proof of English language proficiency via recognised tests or institutional alternatives

Some applicants with non‑English undergraduate degrees may be admitted when their application demonstrates sufficient background in literature or strong transferable skills; individual departments may specify additional preparatory coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in English Language and Literature pursue a range of careers that value advanced critical thinking, research and communication. Common paths include:

• Further study and academic careers: many students progress to doctoral programmes or take on academic research and teaching positions.
• Education and teaching: positions in secondary education, college instruction (often beginning with adjunct or lecturer roles), and educational programme development.
• Writing, editing and publishing: roles in book and magazine publishing, copyediting, content strategy and technical or grant writing.
• Communications and public relations: work in corporate communications, non‑profit outreach, advocacy and cultural institutions.
• Library, archives and museum work: research support, curation and interpretation roles that draw on textual and contextual expertise.

The programme’s emphasis on teaching experience and public‑facing scholarship also prepares graduates for careers in community engagement, cultural programming and digital humanities.

Why study at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers a supportive, student‑centred environment with small seminar sizes that enable close mentorship from faculty. The Department of English is based on the Flagstaff campus, where students benefit from a campus community that combines liberal arts strengths with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Key advantages of studying at NAU include:

• Faculty mentorship and research supervision across a range of specialisms in literature and rhetoric.
• Opportunities for graduate teaching assistantships that provide practical pedagogical experience.
• Access to campus libraries and regional collections as well as collaboration opportunities with departments across the humanities and social sciences.
• A supportive graduate community and professional development resources to prepare students for academic and non‑academic careers.