Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Interdisciplinary Programs (EFLIP)

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Department Chairperson: Concetta Williams

Email: cwilli32@csu.edu

Phone: 773-995-2189

Location: Williams Science Center Room 320

Master of Arts in English

Program Overview

The M.A. in English is designed for individuals preparing to teach literature or composition at secondary or postsecondary levels and for those pursuing careers in writing, publishing, or other fields where strong analytical and communication skills are important. It also offers a concentration in Black Literature and allows coursework in television, theatre arts, and communication studies.

Program Objectives:

1. Write coherent, audience-appropriate compositions using edited American English.
2. Use a variety of rhetorical forms and strategies for different audiences.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of World literatures.
4. Show familiarity with significant bodies of literature by American writers of color.
5. Analyze literary works using multiple critical frameworks.
6. Think critically and articulate multiple perspectives.
7. Conduct research and communicate effectively.
8. Operate word processing tools expertly.
9. Knowledge of professional journals and publishing norms.

​Thesis and Comprehensive Exam Option:

Students may either complete a thesis or sit for a comprehensive exam.

Credit Requirements & Courses:

The program generally requires 36 credits, covering literature, criticism, language, and specialized electives. Notable offerings include courses on Victorian literature, modern drama, Black American fiction and poetry, publishing, literary criticism, and teaching English as a Second Language.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (M.F.A.)

Program Overview

The MFA is a terminal degree combining intensive writing workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting and playwriting with study of literature. The curriculum culminates in a creative thesis project and a public reading of student work.

Degree Requirements:

• Completion of 36 semester hours of graduate English courses (excluding teaching-methods classes).
• At least three 5000 level courses, including two seminars.
• Breakdown: ~15 credits in workshops, 9 credits in literature seminars, 6 credits in publishing courses, and 6 credits for the thesis project.

Comprehensive Exam:

Comprehensive Exam focused on Black literature.

Creative Thesis:

A substantial creative manuscript-minimum of 30 poems, 5+ short stories (≥100 pages), or a novel/creative nonfiction work of 150+ pages.

Oral Presentation:

Public presentation/performance of original work.

Program Features:

• Small cohort size (typically 5-10 students).
• Partial funding and graduate assistantships are available.
• Visiting Writers Series featuring established authors (e.g., Martin Espada, Sterling Plumpp, Crystal Wilkinson).
• Collaboration with the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing, which hosts literary conferences, publishes journals, and supports cultural programming.

Career Outcomes:

The MFA prepares graduates to become published writers and teach creative writing at community colleges and universities and can also support careers in publishing, journalism, or as independent writers. Alumni have published books and received fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, Cave Canem). Several alumni have gone on to Ph.D. programs at institutions like the University of Wisconsin (Madison and Milwaukee), UIC, and SUNY Albany/Binghamton.

Degree Summary

Programs

• English, M.A.

• Creative Writing, M.F.A.

• Literacy, Language, and Culture in Postsecondary Settings Endorsement

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