Marquette University

What you'll study

Students take required 6000-level courses alongside electives drawn from 5000–6000-level ENGL offerings. Key structural elements differ by track:

• Plan A (Thesis): 30 credits total — 24 credits of coursework plus 6 credits for an M.A. thesis. The thesis must be approved by the thesis director and a second reader (often the Director of Graduate Studies). Up to three courses (9 credits) may be at the 5000 level. Electives include 9 credits (minimum 6 of those from ENGL literature courses). One graduate-level cognate course outside ENGL is permitted with Director of Graduate Studies approval. A 3-credit Studies in Rhetoric and Composition Theory course is available by consent and is recommended for those considering a Ph.D.
• Plan B (Non-thesis): 30 credits total with at least 21 credits at the 6000 level in the ENGL department. Up to three 5000-level courses (9 credits) are allowed. Electives total 15 credits (minimum 6 from ENGL literature courses). The track requires a 3-credit culminating project developed with the Director of Graduate Studies and a faculty mentor. Up to two graduate-level cognate courses (6 credits) outside ENGL may be taken with permission. The 3-credit Studies in Rhetoric and Composition Theory course is offered by consent and likewise recommended for prospective Ph.D. applicants.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) before matriculation and typically present a minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale. Competitive applicants have at least 18 undergraduate credit hours in English with a strong GPA. Non-U.S. citizens must demonstrate English proficiency.

Application materials include a completed online application and fee, transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, at least two letters of recommendation (three preferred), a statement of purpose tailored to why the applicant seeks Marquette’s MA, and 1–2 single-authored writing samples totaling 12–20 pages. Final official transcripts (with certified English translations if needed) must be submitted within the first five weeks after admission. The programme uses rolling admission: fall term deadlines and earlier deadlines apply for international applicants.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly progress to doctoral study or pursue careers in education, non-profit administration, library science, law, health care administration, communications, journalism and related fields that value advanced literary analysis, critical methods and polished analytical writing.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Marquette’s Graduate School offers a reduced humanities tuition rate highlighted on the programme page: a $500 per credit-hour rate for students in certain humanities master’s programmes, and students may also pursue private scholarships. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for need-based federal student loans. Applicants to the programme can also consider the Trinity Fellows Program, a 21-month study/work fellowship that supports graduate study and urban leadership development for eligible candidates with service or nonprofit work experience.