Master of Arts in English
Our on-campus or distance MA in English is affordable, flexible, and practical.
Complete the form below to get more information about our M.A. in English
Student Success! That's What We're About!
Thesis Options
Personalize your learning experience; write a traditional literary thesis or a creative writing thesis in fiction, poetry or creative nonfiction.
Teaching Path
If you have a master’s degree in another field, you can take 18 hours of English through this program then you’ll be qualified to teach English at a community college.
Unique Resources
The father of science fiction Dr. Jack Williamson taught at ENMU and provided us with the third largest science fiction collection in the U.S., including many original documents.
Our M.A. in English is the only master’s program in New Mexico where students can attend in-person or through flexible (synchronous or asynchronous) online courses. Choose the path that fits your needs.
In addition to the flexibility and convenience of course formats, you know you’re getting a quality education from a master’s program with a proven record of success: over the past 15 years, we have an impressive 88.9% acceptance rate among ENMU M.A. students who have applied to doctoral programs.
Find more information with the links below or fill out the form to take the next step toward your English master's degree.
Get Started Today!
We'd love to hear from you! You can give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.
Graduate Coordinator
Dr. David Sweeten
Associate Professor of English/Graduate Coordinator
Jack Williamson Liberal Arts (JWLA), Room 113G
575.562.2501
Ready to take the next step?
Apply today or fill out the form to contact our English graduate coordinator to see if the Master of Arts in English is a good fit for you.
Complete the form below to get more information about our M.A. in English
Ready to take the next step?
Apply today or fill out the form to contact our English graduate coordinator to see if the Master of Arts in English is a good fit for you.
Complete the form below to get more information about our M.A. in English
Master of Arts in English Program Overview
Critical thinking, research tools, time management and project organization are skills you will learn while pursuing a Master of Arts in English at ENMU. We work to help all our students stay engaged with course material and are experienced in accommodating the unique schedules associated with working professionals and active duty military personnel.
Our department's small size lends itself to intimate classes, with advisors and committee chairs working one-one-one with students. Our faculty has a diverse range of research interests including:
- American literature
- Literature of the Southwest
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Victorian literature
- Gender Studies
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Science Fiction
- Creative writing, including fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction
- Literary theory
To complete the MA in English, you will: take a minimum of 27 hours of coursework and 6 thesis credit hours and pass comprehensive exams.
Graduate students in English study literary texts, film and historical records, as well as critical and cultural theory. The graduate program involves extensive reading of prose, poetry, visual media, and drama, as well as writing and research activities.
In addition to a traditional track of literary study, you may study creative writing and prepare a creative thesis as your final project or choose our "inclusion and resistance" focus, a study of the social and artistic areas used by minority groups to shape history.
Career Opportunities with a Master of Arts in English
This program will prepare you for more than teaching. The skills you learn apply to many career fields, including:
- Publisher
- Editor
- Literary Agent
- Author
- Composition/First-Year Writing Instructor
- Grant Writer
- Technical Writer/Editor
- Social Media/Web Content Developer
Additional opportunities from this program can lead to:
- PhD Programs
- Law School
- Teaching Assistantships and Internships
Career Services for Students
Career Services offers free job placement assistance to all ENMU students, so if you are looking for a job, we can help you find it.
We offer many resources including various workshops throughout the year covering topics like resume writing, interviewing for jobs, and more! As an ENMU student, if you’re interested in individual help for things like networking, social media for success, resume writing, and mock interviews, our staff is available to help.
Explore employment opportunities in this field by visiting the O*NET webpage. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsors the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database. The site aggregates data for occupations across the United States.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
We are committed to helping you finance your education. In addition to grants, loans and scholarships offered by Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, there are also many scholarships for current students available through the ENMU Foundation.
Learn more about ENMU scholarships
We also have a limited number of part-time graduate assistantships available. Graduate assistantships providing hands-on experience may be awarded to qualified students. In addition to a stipend, graduate assistantships include a tuition waiver, which gives out-of-state students our low in-state tuition. A limited number of student-hire positions might also available.
For more information on graduate assistantships please contact the Graduate School at 575.562.2147 or [email protected]
Hands-On Experience for English Master’s Students
We offer both face-to-face and online graduate assistantships where students can get experience tutoring, teaching freshman composition, and/or running our literary magazine, El Portal.
Graduate assistants not only receive a stipend and in state tuition rates, but gain teaching experience. Many graduate assistants begin by working in the ENMU Writing Center and later divide their time between the ENMU Writing Center and teaching composition and rhetoric courses.
Communication Resources and Academic Support for MA in English Students
On-Campus and Online Writing Center
We want to make sure you get the support you need. We offer flexible tutoring services, including the ENMU Writing Center which is available to help you improve your writing and help you clearly communicate for written, school-related projects and assignments.
We also have online databases, journal article, and eBooks accessible through the Golden Library. ENMU librarians are available virtually, via phone and email to provide assistance, so you'll always have the help you need to take advantage of library resources.
See our distance learning library services
If you have questions or concerns about your homework assignments, projects or grades, you also have the option to email or call your professor.
Advising
If you are taking the time to complete an advanced study program, we know you want not only the benefits from our classes, but also our faculty's professional experience. To support you, we offer advising meetings in person, or via email and phone. We want you to feel connected and prepared to complete your degree.
English Degree Information
You can learn more about this degree and view course information in the Graduate Catalog.
Admission Requirements for Master's in English
If you are seeking a Master of Arts in English, you are expected to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Possess a Bachelor of Arts in English (Well-qualified applicants from other disciplines are eligible, but may be required to take leveling courses.)
- No GRE required
Application Procedure:
- Apply to the Graduate School.
- Submit an academic writing sample to the Graduate School.
Graduate School
ENMU Station 24
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130
Phone: 575.562.2147
What’s Next?
Once you are admitted to the Graduate School (apply today!), the graduate coordinator for English will evaluate your transcripts to determine your admission status, foreign language proficiency, and whether or not you’ll need any leveling coursework.
