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» master of arts in ENGLISH

The program offers a supportive, personal environment with small classes, stimulating seminars, and one-to-one work with faculty mentors. All students are required to take the Contemporary Critical Theory seminar, a comprehensive survey of contemporary literary and cultural criticism. This course challenges students to apply theory to relevant works of literature. The remainder of the program varies according to individual interests, with courses on 17th-century poetry, children’s literature, film and drama, the American novel, race and gender in women’s poetry, narrative theory, and more. For students who are writers or who wish to become writing teachers, Simmons offers courses in creative and nonfiction writing, as well as a seminar in the theory and practice of teaching writing at the undergraduate and secondary school level. A master’s thesis is optional.

Courses and Curriculum

The 32-credit English program leads to a Master of Arts degree. A full course load is three courses per semester. A reading knowledge of one foreign language is required and may be fulfilled by taking a brief translation exam any time before receiving the degree. Students may elect to write a thesis as one of their courses. Although the program may be completed in one academic year, including summer study, most students choose to complete the program over three or four semesters in order to explore their interests more thoroughly. Part-time students may take up to seven years to complete the degree.

Writing Option

A Writing Option is available in the M.A. program. For graduate students interested in becoming writers or in teaching writing at the secondary level, the writing option at Simmons combines the advanced study of literature with courses in writing and in teaching writing. Typically, students who elect this option take two to four courses from the following group; the remainder of their eight-course program consists of upper-level courses in literature:

Advanced Non-Fiction Writing
Advanced Poetry Workshop
Seminar in the Teaching of Writing
Directed Study: Graduate Level

Sample Courses
  • Seminar in the Teaching of Writing
  • Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf
  • The Romantic Rebel
  • Feminist Film Theory
  • Contemporary Critical Theory

See our "Courses" section to view all courses in the English program, and download our PDF Document Program Fact Sheet for more information on the curriculum.

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Simmons Success

Nathalie Handall

“Although I always loved literature and writing, my M.A. in English helped me to define myself as a professional writer. Simmons gave me a very solid educational base and the confidence to live and survive as a writer.”
—Nathalie Handal ’91 B.A., ’93 M.A. English; Poet, Playwright, & Writer
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