Master of Arts

Program in English and
Media Studies

The MA program offers students the opportunity to work closely with internationally known faculty, to pursue independent research, and to attend a wide range of classes designed to advance our candidates in a variety of careers.

 

Our small evening seminars cover traditional and emerging fields in English (everything from medieval literature to digital media) as well as applied topics in editing, pedagogy, and writing. Our graduates go on to study at the doctoral level, to teach at secondary schools or community colleges, and to pursue careers in librarianship, curriculum development, grant writing, and publishing, among others.

The faculty has research interests that cover all historical periods of Anglophone literature in addition to rhetoric, linguistics, journalism, creative writing, and digital studies. Just in the past few years these faculty members have won prestigious awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, published monographs with leading academic presses (Michigan, Alabama, Palgrave, Oxford, Penn State), had their novels on the New York Times bestsellers’ list, and seen their poetry features in the New Yorker.

We have a vibrant graduate student community grounded in activities at the Rutgers–Camden Writers House, which boasts an annual NEA-funded Writers in Camden reading series, the Cooper Street Workshops, and a lively roster of creative and scholarly events. 

Admissions Criteria

To apply, students will need to submit:

  • An official transcript from their undergraduate institution
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • A personal statement outlining the student’s professional goals
  • An academic writing sample of 15-20 pages

Please note the GRE examination is no longer required.

Curriculum | Students Matriculated Prior to Fall 2018

To view the curriculum requirements for students matriculated before Fall 2018 visit M.A. Matriculated pre-Fall 2018.

Curriculum | Students Matriculated Fall 2018 and After

To receive the M.A. in English and Media Studies degree, each student must complete:

  • 30 credits, including:
    • 1 Professional Seminar in English Studies – 3 credits
    • 1 Seminar in Theory and Criticism – 3 credits
    • A minimum of 7 electives, one of which must have a “DIV” designation – 21 credits
    • 1 Independent Study: Capstone Project – 3 credits
  • a Capstone Project

Required Courses

  • Professional Seminar in English – 3 credits
    This course introduces students to graduate-level research methods and writing skills. Students will learn how these skills can be applied to a variety of academic and professional careers in digital studies, pedagogy, library science, and scholarly editing among others. Students should begin to think about their capstone project and plan their elective study during this seminar. This class will be offered each academic year and should be taken within the first year of study.
  • Theory and Criticism – 3 credits
    This course introduces students to a wide-range of theoretical frameworks and schools of cultural criticism (literary, textual, pedagogical) that will be central to their academic research and writing. This strong foundation in theory will help students approach further work in media studies, literary studies, and writing studies. This class will be offered each academic year and should be taken within the first year of study.
  • Electives – 21 credits
    Students will take 7 additional elective classes (21 credits). One of these classes must have a Diversity “DIV” Designation (see below). Each student should plan carefully how these electives will be distributed to best meet his/her professional goals.
  • Independent Study: Capstone Project – 3 credits
    In their final semester, students should register for this credit-bearing course while they conduct the research, production and/or writing necessary to complete their capstone project. While the bulk of the project will be completed in the final semester, students should begin to think about these projects and to seek a faculty adviser early in their study. Course selection should be made in preparation for the project’s execution as well. The project’s form will be determined in consultation with the faculty adviser.  

Diversity Designation

Each student must take at least 1 elective course (3 credits) with a “DIV” for Diversity Designation. These courses will cover a wide variety of issues related to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, physical and mental ability, and aging.

Contact

Dr. Shanyn Fiske
Director of Graduate Study
(856) 225-2937
fiske@camden.rutgers.edu 

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