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Graduate School Bulletin: English Program
Important Dates and Deadlines
The graduate program at UWM has earned a national reputation because of its commitment to exploring innovative alternatives in English studies. Through its structure of concentrations and course offerings, the Department promotes original approaches to a broad range of topics in literature, language, writing, and visual culture. Students must select one of six concentrations, also called plans, each of which encompasses many areas of interest:
The concentrations provide a foundation for the student's study plans. Many students take courses in more than one concentration, and many faculty are affiliated with several concentrations. Students may also pursue a Special Emphasis (akin to a minor) in Rhetoric and Composition or Professional Writing. In addition to its degree programs, the Department also offers Graduate Certificates in
Students are encouraged to investigate various theoretical perspectives in depth and to research new or previously marginalized fields. A strong emphasis on pedagogical theory and practice is closely interwoven with every area of the program's intellectual research and creative activity. Through close collaboration with UWM's Center for 21st Century Studies, students have the opportunity to hear and meet leading scholars and critics. Graduate students may work on The Cream City Review, the Department's nationally recognized literary magazine, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Department continues to recruit an outstanding faculty of scholars and writers, leading to the recent high rankings given the graduate program by the National Research Council and US News and World Report. Students come from the community, from across the nation, and from abroad. Quite a few have degrees in disciplines other than English or have valuable non-academic experience. We encourage interdisciplinary studies, and the Department of English Graduate Faculty includes members from other departments. Recent graduates have fared well in a difficult job market.
In cooperation with the School of Information Studies, the Department of English offers the Master of Arts/Master of Library Information Science (MA/MLIS) coordinated degree program to prepare students for positions as humanities librarians. Students enrolled in this program concurrently pursue an MA degree in English and an MLIS degree. Admission to the MA/MLIS degree is contingent upon acceptance to graduate studies by the Department of English and the School of Information Studies. Therefore, students must apply to both programs as well as to the Graduate School. Prerequisite to the award of either degree in this program is the simultaneous award of its counterpart degree.
Students interested in the MA/MLIS program are required to choose one of the six study concentrations in the Department of English graduate studies program. Those concentrations are:
In addition, students are expected to follow all the requirements and standards of the Department of English with one exception: the MA portion of the MA/MLIS degree requires the successful completion of at least 21 credits as opposed to the 24 credit requirement of the standard MA program offered by the Department of English.
Students will indicate their choice of the MA/MLIS degree on the Graduate School admissions application as well as on the application to the Department of English. Study concentration selection must also be indicated on the Department of English admissions application. Check the Admissions page for application deadlines.
For information on applying to the Master of Library Information Science program, visit the School of Information Studies web site.
