The English Master's Program

The English MA Program at Sam Houston State University offers unique opportunities for graduate study in traditional literary areas, creative and professional writing, critical theory, and composition and rhetoric. With some seventy students in various stages of their degrees, the program is just large enough for intellectual and creative diversity, just small enough for an intimacy between faculty and students that one does not often find at larger research institutions.
The Department of English features an accomplished faculty with expertise and professional recognition in areas ranging from literary fields and creative writing to linguistics, women’s literature, critical theory, and cultural studies. They are scholars, rhetoricians, poets, novelists, and short fictionists—all of them active members of the larger academic community and seasoned teachers devoted to the success of their graduate students.
In training its students both academically and professionally, the English MA Program offers opportunities for them to participate in scholarly and creative writing colloquia; to gain experience working with a university press that publishes books of poetry and fiction, as well as two journals; and to teach college writing courses. Students who earn Master’s degrees at the University find themselves admirably well-prepared for further graduate study, junior college teaching, and enriched secondary teaching.
The Department provides assistantships and scholarships for outstanding graduate applicants. And in order to provide greater access for commuting students, we offer courses on the main campus in Huntsville and at The University Center in The Woodlands. To accommodate students who teach full time or are otherwise employed during the day, most English graduate classes meet from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the fall and spring terms; classes meet in the mornings and early afternoons during the two summer terms.
For further information, contact Dr. Paul Child, Director of Graduate Studies in English, by telephone (936-294-1412) or e-mail (
GraduateEnglish@shsu.edu or
eng_pwc@shsu.edu).
To download the complete
Graduate Handbook for 2007-2008 as a .pdf file, click the link.
MA Plans and Options
MA Degree Plans
The Creative Writing Emphasis
From Matriculation to Graduation
Admissions
Steps in the English Graduate Program
Declaration of Major
Writing the English Master’s Thesis
The Written Comprehensive Examination
The Oral Examination
Graduation
Requirements and Standards
Some Big Rules
Enrollment Status
Grades and Academic Standing
Credits and Transfer Hours
Coursework
Course Blocks
Graduate English Course Offerings
Directed Study Course
Taking an Undergraduate Course for Graduate Credit
Human Resources
Graduate English Faculty: 2009-2010
The Graduate Studies Committee
Important Contacts
Institutional Resources
The University Center
The Sam Houston State University Writing Center
Financial Resources
Financial Aid
Graduate Scholarships
The Graduate Assistantship in English
Of Scholarly and Creative Interest
Graduate-Level Researching and Writing
Graduate Student Colloquium
Professional Conferences
Travel Assistance for Scholarly Activities
Academic Honesty
Guidelines for Letters of Recommendation
Beyond the MA
Further Graduate Study
Employment Opportunities for English MAs
For Our Graduate Alumnae and Alumni
Miscellaneous Information
Contact Us
Dr. Helena Halmari, Interim Chair
eng_shh@shsu.edu
Amanda Wallace, Secretary
amw039@shsu.edu
Evans Complex 458
(936) 294-1404
(936) 294-1408
P.O. Box 2146
1901 University Ave.
Huntsville, TX 77341