Graduate Programs
Director of
Graduate Studies (M.A. and Ph.D.): Professor M. Keith Booker
Director of Programs in Creative Writing (M.F.A.): Professor Davis McCombs
Director of Translation (M.F.A.): Professor John DuVal
Director of Comparative Literature (M.A. and Ph.D.): Professor Luis Restrepo
The Department of English offers three graduate degrees: the M.A. in English, the Ph.D. in English, and the M.F.A. in Creative Writing or Translation. Through the Comparative Literature program, we also offer the M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature.
Most of our graduate students receive a teaching assistantship upon admission. The stipends for the 2008-09 year are $9,400 for M.A. students and M.F.A. candidates with fewer than 30 hours, and $9,800 for Ph.D. candidates and M.F.A. students with over 30 hours.
Admission to these programs is highly competitive, with the competition for space in our nationally recognized M.F.A. program especially stiff. E-mail english@cavern.uark.edu for application information and forms. Click here to visit the Graduate School site.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Master of Arts
in English
The Master's degree is intended to provide a general understanding of English and American literature and literary criticism at an advanced level. Candidates must satisfy period distribution requirements and pass a general test of their knowledge of literary history. Thirty credit hours are required for the degree; these hours may or may not include a thesis option.
Click here for a list of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.
For more information request a Graduate Catalog from the Graduate School and/or e-mail the department at english@cavern.uark.edu.
Master of Fine
Arts in English
The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing or Translation requires sixty hours of coursework, with up to eighteen hours transferable for students holding the MA in English. Most degree candidates will spend at least three years completing the curriculum. The coursework is of three kinds: 1) workshop sessions in which student work is read and discussed, 2) theory classes in which the techniques of poetry and fiction are given intensive attention, and 3) advanced classes in English and American literature, with the hours divided about equally between 20th-century and pre-20th-century readings. More information is available on their website Programs in Creative Writing and Translation.
All candidates for the degree produce a book-length thesis of poetry or fiction. The program also offers workshops in screenwriting and creative non-fiction. Students who earn the MFA in Creative Writing will have both a broad knowledge of literature and a firm understanding of the history and techniques of poetry and fiction. For complete information about requirements, request a Graduate Catalog from the Graduate School and/or e-mail the department at english@cavern.uark.edu.
Doctor of
Philosophy in English
Candidates for the Ph.D. may specialize in one of the standard areas of concentration (Medieval, Renaissance to 1660, Restoration and 18th Century, British 19th Century, British 20th Century, American literature to 1900, 20th-century American literature, Critical Theory) or, with approval, a specialty of their own design.
Completion of the degree requires 24 hours of course work beyond the M.A., reading knowledge of two foreign languages, successful completion of the candidacy exams, and an approved dissertation. For complete information about requirements, request a Graduate Catalog from the Graduate School and/or e-mail the department at english@cavern.uark.edu.
Click here for a list of requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in English
Click here for information on Doctoral Fellowships