Academic Catalog
English (M.A.) 2025-2026 Catalog Year
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Language and Literature
Website: /cas/departments/langlit/engma/
(239) 590-7171
(239) 590-7171
Program Admission Requirements
- Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
- Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body () or equivalent foreign institution in English or a related field e.g. Communication, History, Philosophy, etc. and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- A 3.6 or higher upper-division undergraduate GPA in English or a related field (GRE not required). For applicants with less than 3.6 upper-division undergraduate GPA in English or a related field, minimum GRE scores of 153 in Verbal Reasoning and 3.5 in Analytical Writing are required.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
- A writing sample of 8-10 double-spaced pages of literary analysis, preferably including research.
- A personal statement of 2-3 double-spaced pages about your career and personal goals connected with pursuing graduate work in English literature and literary criticism. This statement should explain your motivation for pursuing a Master's degree at FGCU, goals connected with pursuing this degree, and intended focus of your graduate studies (e.g. early modern literature). It should indicate whether you are interested in a Teaching Assistantship during your second year of study. Specific references to relevant experience or training will make this statement more effective.
- Two recommenders to support your application. These two people may be mentors, supervisors, or college-level faculty.
- For any recommender who is at FGCU, simply supply the recommender’s full name, title, and email address.
- For any recommender who is a non-FGCU faculty member, mentor, or supervisor, have the recommender send a letter of recommendation directly to FGCU Graduate Admissions as an email attachment to this address: graduate@fgcu.edu.
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- A minimum of 33 credit hours.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
- Each course for this program must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- Submit an application for graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- A maximum of 9 credits of course work may be transferred from other institutions, subject to approval of the English Graduate Studies Coordinator.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
- Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU.
Program Requirements
- Required Courses in the Major (6 credits)
Complete the following:
ENG 6058 Intro to Grad Study in English (3)
ENG 6950 English Masters Capstone (3) - Restricted Electives in the Major (27 credits)
Complete 27 additional credits of graduate courses in English. The 27 credits completed must include, at a minimum:
6 credits in United States Literature and Culture (AML)
6 credits in British Literature and Culture (ENL)
6 credits in Literatures and Cultures (LIT)
6 credits in pre-1800 literature (AML, ENL, and/or LIT)
6 credits in post-1800 literature (AML, ENL, and/or LIT)
Pre-1800 Literature courses:
AML 6506 Studies in Early American Lit (3)
AML 6930 ST: US Lit and Cult pre-1800 (3)
ENL 6299 Topics in British Lit pre-1800 (3)
ENL 6305 Major British Authors (3)
ENL 6507 British Literature before 1800 (3)
LIT 6062 Comparative Lit pre-1800 (3)
LIT 6146 Studies in World Lit pre-1800 (3)
LIT 6218 Interdisciplinary Lit pre-1800 (3)
Post-1800 Literature courses:
AML 6268 Regional U.S. Literature (3)
AML 6507 Studies in Later American Lit (3)
AML 6508 ST: Amer Lit & Cult post-1800 (3)
ENL 6290 Topics in Brit Lit post-1800 (3)
ENL 6508 British Literature after 1800 (3)
LIT 6066 Studies in Comp Lit post-1800 (3)
LIT 6096 Contemporary Literature (3)
LIT 6105 Studies in World Lit post-1800 (3)
LIT 6217 Movements in Lit & Cult Theory (3)
LIT 6406 Interdisc Lit post-1800 (3)
LIT 6806 Literature as Cultural Study (3)
Additional Electives:
(Note: none of these count toward the pre-1800 and post-1800 requirements)
AML 6910 Directed Research (3)
ENC 6745 Seminar in Composition-Pedagogy (3)*
ENG 6940 English Masters Internship (0-6)
ENG 6971 Thesis (1-3)
ENL 6910 Directed Research (3)
LIT 6910 Directed Research (3)
Up to 6 credits chosen from other departments with written approval of the English Graduate Studies Coordinator.
*Composition Teaching Assistants must complete this course prior to receiving a teaching assignment.
Total Credits Required: 33