English Graduate Programs (ENGL)

Offered through the Department of English
in the College of Fine Arts and Humanities
106 Riverview
Phone: 320.308.3061
Fax: 320.308.5524
E-mail: english@stcloudstate.edu
Web: www.stcloudstate.edu/english

Department Chairperson: Dr. Robert Inkster
Department Secretary: Ms. Carol Fish, Ms Barb Gammon, Ms. Sue Gill

Graduate Director, English: Dr. Glenn Davis
Graduate Director, Teaching English as a Second Language: Dr. James Robinson

Graduate Faculty: Abartis, J.B. Anderson, Barton, Cogdill, Condon, Connaughton, Crow, Davis, Dillman, Dorn, Foster, Fountaine, Fox, Gordon, Heiman, Hibbard, R. Inkster, Jackson, Keith, Kilborn, Kim, Klepetar, Koffi, Madden, Meissner, Mohrbacher, S. Olson, Perry, Philippot, J. Robinson, Ross, Rundquist, Sebberson, Teutsch-Dwyer, Veeder

Program Overview

The master's degree in English is appropriate for a program leading to the Ph.D. degree, for community college or secondary teaching, for general cultural enrichment, or for teaching English as a second language.  The following programs are offered:

• Master of Arts in English
• Master of Science in English — teacher education
• Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

Admission Requirements Specific to the Programs

• Details are provided under each emphasis area.

Admission Deadlines Specific to the Program

• Fall semester: June 1
• Spring semester: October 1
• Summer terms: May 1

Length of program — measured by semesters

• Part-time student: six semesters taking six credits per semester.
• Full-time student: four semesters taking nine credits per semester.
• These programs are designed for both full-time and part-time students.
• Full-time students must expect to complete much of their course load in evening classes.
• Graduate courses are also offered in summer school, but a student cannot be assured of completing degree requirements solely with summer school work.
• The TESL program offers approximately seven courses online each semester allowing a student to complete an on-line/ITV program.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

• Fifteen to twenty graduate assistantship positions are offered to instruct English 191.
• The Write Place offers five to six assistantships to provide tutoring to students.
• The Intensive English Center offers ten assistantships.
• Five to nine graduate assistantships are offered to instruct ESL courses.

Degrees and Plans Offered

• Master of Arts: English, Plan A (Thesis or Creative Work with orals) at 36 credits
• Master of Arts: English, Plan B (Two Starred Papers with orals) at 36 credits
• Master of Arts: TESL, Plan A (Thesis with orals) at 36 credits
• Master of Arts: TESL, Plan B (Two Starred Papers with orals) at 39 credits
• Master of Science: English, Teacher Education, Plan A (Thesis with orals) at 36 credits
• Master of Science: English, Teacher Education, Plan B (Two Starred Papers with orals) at 36 credits
• Master of Science: English, Teacher Education, Plan C (Professional Portfolio with orals) at 39 credits

Master of Arts — English

The Master of Arts degree in English is appropriate for a program leading to the Ph.D., for community or technical college teaching, and for general cultural enrichment. A student can pursue a Master of Arts in English with a general emphasis or an emphasis in college teaching or rhetoric and applied writing.

• For unconditional admission to the graduate programs in English a minimum of 24 undergraduate semester credits in English is required.
• For unconditional admission to the M.A. degree, the applicant must have completed not less than 24 undergraduate semester credits in English, exclusive of general education courses, and must meet the admission standards as required by the School of Graduate Studies.
• Graduate students interested in future doctoral study should develop competence in an appropriate foreign language.
• To graduate a minimum of 18 credits must be earned in courses limited to graduate students.

Plan A, 36 credits (Thesis)

Core courses

• ENGL 606. Research in English: Bibliographic Strategies (or equivalent course), 3 credits
• One 600-level course in British literature, 3 credits
• One 600-level course in American literature, 3 credits
• ENGL 699. Thesis, 6 credits
  OR
• ENGL 698. Creative Work, 6 credits

NOTE: A student completing the Plan A program must pass a final oral examination on the thesis submitted to the student's final evaluation committee.

Choose one emphasis

Emphasis one:  Teaching College English
English courses
21 credit minimum

• Four courses (12 credits) from 552, 553, 561, 562, 650, 652, 653, 655, 656, 665
• Two courses (6 credits) from 607, 631, 632, 633, 634
• One course (3 credits) from 564, 565, 569, 669
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)
  

Cognate courses

• For the emphasis in teaching college English, no cognates may count towards the degree.
  

Emphasis two:  Rhetoric and applied writing
English courses
15 credit minimum

• Two courses (6 credits) from 607, 631, 632, 633
• One course (3 credits) from 503, 532, 697
• One course (3 credits) 634
• One additional course elected in English (3 credits)
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Cognate courses

• Six credits maximum may be earned in approved cognate courses.

Emphasis three: General Master of Arts in English
English courses
21 credit minimum

• Choose 21 credits from ENGL courses
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Plan B, 36 credits (Non-thesis, two Starred Papers)

Core courses

• ENGL 606.  Research in English: Bibliographic Strategies (or equivalent course), 3 credits
• One 600-level course in British literature, 3 credits
• One 600-level course in American literature, 3 credits
• ENGL 698. Creative Work, 6 credits

(Two starred papers written in conjunction with approved courses and supported with substantial research.
The starred paper option requires one paper supported with substantial research and one creative work.
Obtain department specifications for starred papers from the graduate director in English.)

NOTE: A student completing the Plan B program must pass a final oral examination on the starred papers submitted to the student's final evaluation committee.

Emphasis one: Teaching College English
English courses
27 credit minimum

• ENGL 607. Research in English: Empirical Designs, 3 credits
• Four courses (12 credits) from 552, 553, 561, 562, 650, 652, 653, 655, 656, 665
• Two courses (6 credits) from 631, 632, 633, 634
• One course (3 credits) from 564, 565, 569, 669
• Two courses (2-6 credits) from 693, 694, 696 (internship options)
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Cognate course

• For the emphasis in teaching college English, no cognates may count towards the degree.

Emphasis two:  Rhetoric and applied writing
English courses
21 credit minimum

• ENGL 634. Academic and Professional Writing, 3 credits
• Two courses (6 credits) from 607, 631, 632, 633
• One course (3 credits) from 503, 532, 697
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Cognate courses

• Six credits maximum may be earned in approved cognate courses.

Emphasis three: General Master of Arts in English
English courses
21 credit minimum

• Choose 21 credits from ENGL courses.
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Master of Science — English: Teacher Education

For admission to the Master of Science in English, Teacher Education program, a student must have:

• Completed an undergraduate teacher education program from an accredited teacher preparation institution.
• Completed a minimum of 24 semester credits of undergraduate credits in English exclusive of general education courses.
• Met the admission standards as required by the School of Graduate Studies.

Plans A and B, 36 credits

Research courses
Plan A, 9 credits; Plan B, 3 credits

• ENGL 606. Research in English: Bibliographic Strategies (or equivalent course), 3 credits (Plan A and B)
• ENGL 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)

Core courses
Plan A, 15 credit minimum; Plan B, 18 credit minimum

• One 600-level course in British literature, 3 credits
• One 600-level course in American literature, 3 credits
• Other credits to be selected with English department adviser.
• (Only three credits in any combination from 653, 655, 656 may count toward the degree.)
  

Professional education courses
Plan A or Plan B, 9 credit minimum

• Students will select College of Education courses in consultation with the English advisor.

Elective courses
Plan A, 3 credits; Plan B, 6 credits

• Credits from related fields to be selected with the English department adviser.

Prior to graduation

• At least one-half of the master of science degree program must be earned in courses limited to graduate students.
• A student in Plan A must pass a final oral examination on the thesis submitted to the student's final evaluation committee.
• A student in Plan B must pass a final oral examination over the starred papers submitted to the student's final evaluation committee.

Plan C, 39 credits (Portfolio)

Research courses
3 credit minimum

• ENGL 606. Research in English: Bibliographic Strategies (or equivalent course), 3 credits

Core courses
18 credits

• One 600-level course in British literature, 3 credits
• One 600-level course in American literature, 3 credits
• Selected courses in English, not to include more than one course by independent study.
• (Only 3 credits in any combination from 653, 655, 665 may count toward the degree.)

Educational foundation courses
6 credits

• Students will select College of Education courses in consultation with the English advisor.

English application and implementation courses
12 credits

• ENGL 600: Special Problems, 3 credits; taken in conjunction with development of final portfolio
• 9 credits of selected work with the English adviser’s approval.
• (Select from methods, workshops, practica, internships, school curriculum development, special projects related to the teaching assignment, and from other courses in the major or in related fields.)

Candidates are required to successfully complete a final oral examination, covering the materials included in the professional portfolio.  The portfolio is to be developed as sanctioned by the adviser. The examination will be conducted by two members of the English department and one member from outside the department.

Master of Arts — Teaching English as a Second Language Emphasis

• This master degree program and licensure program can be completed on campus.
  
• The program can also be completed through online and ITV courses coordinated by the Center for Continuing Studies.

Students wishing to enroll in the online/ITV TESL program without having to attend on the St. Cloud campus can take courses at almost any institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and University system or high school offering ITV technology. For more information on the programs and technology available, contact the Center for Continuing Studies at 320-308-3081.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

For unconditional admission to the TESL program, one year of a second language or equivalent proficiency and completion of an introductory course in linguistics is required.

Plan A, 36 credits (Thesis)

Research courses
9 credits

• ENGL 607. Research in English: Empirical Designs, 3 credits, OR
• ED 615. Methods of Educational Research, 3 credits
• ENGL 699. Thesis, 6 credits

Pedagogy courses
6 credits, choose two courses

• ENGL 561. Teaching ESL: Theory and Methods, 3 credits
• ENGL 562. TESL Methods: Reading and Writing, 3 credits
• OR
• ENGL 661. Theories of Second Language Acquisition, 3 credits
• ENGL 662. College Level ESL, 3 credits

9 credits, choose three courses

• ENGL 563. ESL and Culture, 3 credits
• ENGL 567. Topics in Teaching ESL, 3 to 6 credits
• ENGL 652. Computers, English, and Pedagogy, 3 credits
• ENGL 656. Teaching College Writing, 3 credits
• ENGL 667. Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing in TESL, 3 credits
• ENGL 669. Seminar in TESL and Language Acquisition Research, 3 to 6 credits
• ENGL 668. Research in TESL: Topics, 3 credits
• ED 557. Bilingual-Bicultural Education, 3 credits
• ED 558. Literacy for Second Language Learners, 3 credits

Linguistics
6 credits, choose two classes

• ENGL 564. English Syntax, 3 credits
• ENGL 565. History of the English Language, 3 credits
• ENGL 566. American English, 3 credits
• ENGL 569. Topics in Linguistics, 3 credits
• ENGL 663. Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
• ENGL 664. Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits
• ENGL 666. Sociolinguistics, 3 credits

Elective courses

• A maximum of six credits may be earned as electives from any of the courses listed above, or from any other graduate course in the English department, or from cognate courses in other departments.

NOTE: A minimum of half of the credits should be earned in courses limited to graduate students.

On-campus graduate expenses
On-campus graduate tuition for 2007-2008 is $267.20 a credit for Minnesota residents plus a student services/technology fee of $28.32 a credit.

Online graduate expenses
Online graduate tuition for 2007-2008 is $343.25 a credit plus a technology fee of $4.28 a credit. ITV graduate tuition is $329.75 a credit plus a technology fee of $4.28 a credit.

Plan B, 36 credits (Non-thesis)

Research courses
6 credits

• ENGL 668. Research in TESL: Topics, 3 credits (online)

Choose one course

• ENGL 607. Research in English, 3 credits
• ED 614. Action Research, 3 credits
• ED 615. Methods of Educational Research, 3 credits

Pedagogy courses
6 credits

• ENGL 561. Teaching ESL: Theory and Methods, 3 credits
• ENGL 562. TESL Methods: Reading and Writing, 3 credits
• OR
• ENGL 661. Theories of Second Language Acquisition, 3 credits (online)
• ENGL 662. College Level ESL, 3 credits (online)

9 credits, choose three courses

• ENGL 563. ESL and Culture, 3 credits (online)
• ENGL 567. Topics in Teaching ESL, 3 to 6 credits
• ENGL 668. Research in TESL: Topics, 3 credits
• ENGL 652. Computers, English, and Pedagogy, 3 credits
• ENGL 656. Teaching College Writing, 3 credits
• ENGL 667. Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing, 3 credits (online)
• ENGL 669. Seminar in TESL and Language Acquisition Research, 3 to 6 credits (online)
• ED 557. Bilingual-Bicultural Education, 3 credits
• ED 558. Literacy for Second Language Learners, 3 credits

Linguistic courses
9 credits

• ENGL 564. English Syntax, 3 credits
• ENGL 565. History of the English Language, 3 credits
• ENGL 566. American English, 3 credits
• ENGL 569. Topics in Linguistics, 3 credits
• ENGL 663. Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
• ENGL 664. Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits
• ENGL 666. Sociolinguistics, 3 credits

Elective courses

• Six credit maximum may be earned as electives from any of the courses listed above or from any other graduate course in the English department, or from cognate courses in other departments.

NOTE: A minimum of half of the credits toward the graduate degree should be earned in courses limited to graduate students.

Licensure in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

Accreditation for Licensure Program

• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Minnesota Board of Teaching

The TESL licensure program is available on-campus.

The TESL licensure program is available through online and ITV classes coordinated by the Center for Continuing Studies.

Students wishing to enroll in the online/ITV TESL program without having to attend on the St. Cloud campus can take courses at almost any school within the Minnesota State Colleges and University system or high school offering ITV technology. For more information on the programs and technology available, contact the Center for Continuing Studies at 320-308-3081.

Licensure Program Overview

• The Master of Arts, TESL emphasis can be taken independently or in conjunction with K-12 licensure for the State of Minnesota.
• ESL Licensure is a K-12 teaching license.
• It includes 34 credits of education courses AND
  • a foreign language requirement composed of: one year of college (8 credits) or two years of high school or some combination of both or the equivalent.
• Graduate students may qualify for K-12 licensure in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) in the state of Minnesota by completing an appropriate education block (including student teaching) plus the following courses.
  

Prerequisite courses

The student must have completed an undergraduate bachelor’s degree, be in graduate standing, and have completed one year of a foreign language or equivalent.
ENGL 361. Introduction to Linguistics, 3 credits (online)

Licensure courses

 

Linguistic courses
3 credits

• ENGL 564. English Syntax, 3 credits
• ENGL 565. History of the English Language, 3 credits
• ENGL 663. Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
• ENGL 664. Pedagogical Grammar for ESL Teachers, 3 credits

Method courses
9 credits

• ENGL 561. Teaching ESL: Theory and Methods, 3 credits
• ENGL 562. TESL Methods: Reading and Writing, 3 credits
• ENGL 567. Topics in TESL, 3 credits
• ENGL 661. Theories in Second Language Acquisition, 3 credits
• ENGL 662. TESL for Academic Purposes, 3 credits
• ENGL 667. Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing in TESL, 3 credits
• ED 558. Literacy for L-2 Learner, 4 credits

Language and culture courses
9 credits

• ENGL 563. ESL and Culture, 3 credits
• ENGL 566. American English, 3 credits
• ENGL 569. Topics in Linguistics, 3 credits
• ENGL 666. Sociolinguistics, 3 credits  
• ED 557. Bilingual-Bicultural Education, 3 credits

Elective course

• One additional course from the above or ENGL 669. Seminar in TESL Theory and Practice, 3 credits.