Master of Arts in English Literature
Master of Arts in English Education Grades 7-12
Master of Science in English Education
Graduate degrees in English at SUNY Fredonia prepare students for higher levels of education and provide the academic qualifications required for teaching certification in New York State.
The Department of English has structured its graduate programs to provide students with opportunities to develop critical reading, writing and thinking strategies. In accordance with principles articulated by the Modern Language Association (MLA) and other professional organizations, English majors will:
- Read attentively, closely, and critically;
- Write thoughtfully, coherently, and persuasively;
- Develop and challenge their own thinking through scholarly research.
Candidates seeking permanent/professional certification will also meet NCATE standards for the preparation of teachers of English Language Arts.
Graduate Course Entrance Policy
Priority will be given to students whohave either already been admitted to graduate study in English at Fredonia or are already enrolled in a graduate English course at Fredonia.All others will be admitted to graduate courses depending on their preparation and space available.
With permission of the instructor, and the approval of the English Department Chairperson and the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, qualified undergraduates may take 500-level graduate courses in accordance with the stated rules provided in the college catalog.
Master of Arts in English Literature
Departmental Requirements for Admission to the Program:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English at an accredited four-year institution. Candidates with a GPA of at least 3.0 in an English major will receive preference for admissions. The Graduate Policy Committee and the chair will review applications from students without an undergraduate English degree and determine whether the student may matriculate. Additional preparation or course work may be required.
- The Statement of Intent (required for the graduate application) should be approximately two to three pages, and should detail the candidate's reasons for applying to a graduate program in English at SUNY Fredonia. It should be a substantive commentary on the applicant's qualifications as a candidate, and his/her interests in the field of study, special areas of preparation, etc.
- At least two Recommendation Letters (required for the graduate application) attesting to the candidates breadth of preparation and quality of performance in an undergraduate English major or equivalent and, if applicable, a letter from a school administrator addressing performance as a teacher of English.
- Writing Sample: An eight to 20 page essay that demonstrates the applicant's interpretive, critical, and writing skills, and demonstrates the applicant's ability to use critical/secondary sources.
- Copy of initial certification to teach English in the secondary schools of New York State, or equivalent preparation (for those seeking professional certification).
Recommended preparation for graduate studies in English includes course work related to world literature(s), an author in depth, a literary period, and criticism and theory. Students who have completed an undergraduate English degree before 1995 might consider auditing a literary criticism and theory course in the department, or familiarizing themselves with recent theoretical developments in the field. Useful anthologies are listed on the department's website at www.fredonia.edu/department/english/.
Program Requirements
Total Credit Hours for Program Completion: 30
Students are assigned advisors and are responsible for conferring with them to ensure they are meeting the following program requirements. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any required course.
Core Curriculum (15 Required Credit Hours)
ENGL 500 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in English
ENGL 510 - Major Writers
ENGL 512 - Historical Perspectives in Literature
ENGL 514 - Comparative Approaches to Literature
ENGL 516 - Criticism and Theory I
or
ENGL 518 - Criticism and Theory II
ENGL 600 - Graduate Seminar in Professional Development
Nine (9) additional credit hours of course work in English chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.*
Six (6) additional credit hours chosen from English courses numbered 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 520, 554, or 665
or
ENGL 690 and ENGL 691 (Thesis Research I and II) and an oral defense of the thesis. ENGL 691 must be the final 3 credit hours taken among the 30 hours required
ENGL 601 Graduate Portfolio Completion
* For those seeking professional certification, 6 credit hours must be in ENGL 554 and ENGL 665. No more than 6 credit hours in ENGL 580 and no more than 6 credit hours of ENGL 605 Independent Study can be counted toward the degree.
Master of Arts in English Education Grades 7-12
Master of Science in English Education Grades 7-12
Total Credit Hours for Program Completion: 30
Requirements for Admission to the Program without Deficiencies:
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above. Applicants with at least a 3.0 GPA in an English major will receive preference for admission.
- The Statement of Intent (required for the graduate application) should be approximately two to three pages, and should detail the candidate's reasons for applying to a graduate program in English at SUNY Fredonia. It should be a substantive commentary on the applicant's qualifications as a candidate, and his/her interests in the field of study, special areas of preparation, etc.
- At least two Recommendation Letters (required for the graduate application) attesting to the candidates breadth of preparation and quality of performance in an undergraduate English major or equivalent and, if applicable, a letter from a school administrator addressing performance as a teacher of English.
- Writing Sample: An eight to 20 page essay that demonstrates the applicant's interpretive, critical, and writing skills, and demonstrates the applicant's ability to use critical/secondary sources.
- Copy of initial certification to teach English in the secondary schools of New York State or equivalent preparation.
Program Requirements
Students are assigned advisors and are responsible for conferring with them to ensure they are meeting the following program requirements. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any required course.
Core Curriculum: Nine (9) credit hours as follows:
EDU 570 Understanding Educational Research to Improve Instruction
Two EDU courses - one from the following categories, and one that addresses content and/or pedagogy.
1. Psychological Foundations
EDU 501 - Advanced Study: Child Psychology
EDU 502 - Psychology of Adolescence
EDU 503 - Evaluation in the Schools
EDU 507 - Group Processes in Education
EDU 509 - Teaching of Thinking
EDU 529 - Proactive Approaches to Classroom Management for Students with Disabilities
2. Management for Students with Disabilities
EDU 530 - Learning Theories and Teaching
EDU 546 - Models of Classroom Management
EDU 562 - Infant Development and Education
EDU 582 - Classroom Expectancy and Effects
3. Exceptional Education
EDU 504 - The Exceptional Learner
EDU 508 - Teaching Exceptional Learners
EDU 543 - Education for Gifted and Talented
4. Social, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
EDU 531 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 535 - School and Society
EDU 539 - Current Issues and Problems in Education
EDU 545 - History of American Education
EDU 549 - Comparative Education
5. Cultural/Linguistic Diversity
EDU 516 - Working with Children and Families from Poverty
EDU 537 - Comparative Childrens Literature
EDU 538 - Cultural Literature
EDU 563 - Cultural Perspectives
EDU 565 - Language and Learning: Psycholinguistics/Language Acquisition
One course in the Content and Pedagogy category and/or an additional course that may become available in that category
EDU 520 - Curriculum Framework Theory/Development
EDU 525 - Curriculum Framework Integration/Innovation
EDU 526 - Middle School Curriculum
EDU 528 - Technology in the Schools
English Course Work (21 Required Credit Hours)
ENGL 500 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in English
ENGL 510 - Major Writers
ENGL 512 - Historical Perspectives in Literature
ENGL 514 - Comparative Approaches to Literature
ENGL 516 - Criticism and Theory I
or
ENGL 518 - Criticism and Theory II
ENGL 554 - Teaching Writing in the Secondary School
ENGL 600 - Graduate Seminar in Professional Development
ENGL 665 - Studies in English Education
ENGL 601- Graduate Portfolio Completion