Graduate Studies in English

The Master of Arts program offers courses in historical periods, literary genres, and for various single authors. Students also have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of non-canonical authors. The program leads to a Master of Arts degree and requires 30 credits for completion.

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program pursue a course of study that is designed, in large part, around individual interests and that moves from a broad-based survey to a more narrowly focused specialization. Eleven courses are required of each student. EGL 600, The Discipline of Literary Studies, must be taken during the first Fall semester of study, as it introduces students to the variety of approaches to literature represented in current criticism. Students select their remaining courses in consultation with faculty advisors; these courses are intended to strengthen the student's literary background and theoretical knowledge, and further define chosen areas of inquiry. To accommodate the latter goal, students may take courses in other departments. Certificates in Women's Studies and Cultural Studies are also available.

Applicants for admission to all graduate programs in English should submit all materials by January 15 for Fall semester admission to:

English Department
Graduate Studies
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5350

In all cases, admission is determined by the graduate admissions committee of the department under guidelines established by the Graduate School. Applicants are admitted on the basis of their total records, and there are no predetermined quantitative criteria that by themselves ensure a positive or negative decision. There is midyear admission to the M.A. program but not the Ph.D. program.

About the Graduate Record Examination
All applicants to the University at Stony Brook are required to take the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The English Department does not require applicants to take the subject test. Our admissions committee will review an applicant's file when all documents have been received. This includes the GRE score. Therefore, it is to the student's advantage to take the exam at the earliest opportunity. We do not admit provisionally. Information about testing dates can be obtained by contacting the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. Applicants who live outside New York State should contact the nearest university. While we have no set cutoff score for admission, we pay special attention to the score on the verbal section of the examination. The quantitative and analytical scores are secondary.

Admission to the M.A.T. in English 7-12
The M.A.T. in English 7-12 is administered by the School of Professional Development. Individuals interested in this program should refer to the School of Professional Development's section in this bulletin.