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Our programs in English at Northwest Missouri State are designed for students who hope to pursue further studies -- either the Ph.D. or an M.F.A. in creative writing; for present and future teachers at both the high school and college level; and for all students who, having completed the B.A., want more intellectual and creative challenge, more thoughtful discussions about books and writing, more opportunities to be part of a vibrant intellectual community, and more time to read, write, and think, with the support of faculty members who are committed to their students and their discipline. We offer the Master of Arts and the Master of Science In English Education. One of our M.S. Ed. options allows a student to work simultaneously on a master's degree and Missouri teacher certification.
Our newly revised graduate program in English is unique to the region in that most of our literature, writing, and creative writing classes are broadly conceived "umbrella" classes, with changes in the specific content each time the class is offered. This system allows students the variety and depth of experience that characterize effective Master's level programs in English.
Umbrella Courses | |
Summer 2009
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Spring 2009 |
Fall 2008
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Summer 2008 |
Spring 2008
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Fall 2007 |
In addition to these umbrella courses, we are offering second year students "Pedagogy of College Composition," a class that gives our students both theoretical background and mentored practical experience in teaching college composition, an important opportunity for many of our students. We also offer "Methods In Secondary School English" and "Young Adult Literature" each year for M.S. Ed. students. Requirements vary depending on whether a student chooses an M.A. or M.S. Ed. Option, but the only course required of everybody is English 610, Introduction to Practical and Theoretical Criticism.
Graduate students generally take a course load of nine hours per trimester, and receive their degrees in 1.5 or 2 years. Our students have been very successful either obtaining jobs in the discipline or entering Ph.D. programs.
The English Department has twelve specialists -- eleven with doctorates and one with an M.F.A. -- teaching in our various areas of literature, language theory and pedagogy, and creative writing. Classes are small (generally five to fifteen students), and the professors are interesting, friendly, and very accessible. The work environment and the classes are very pleasant here, and our English graduate students form close working relationships. The Department offers five graduate assistantships, and English graduate students have assistantships in other departments around campus as well. The English Department's graduate assistants work twenty hours per week in The Writing Center.
I would especially welcome the opportunity to visit in person with you about our program. If you would like further information, feel free to call me (Nancy Mayer) at 660-562-1389 or email me at nmayer@nwmissouri.edu. Or drop by my office (Colden Hall 2730). I look forward to hearing from you.
| Ed 61-695 Philosophy of Education | 3 hours |
| Psych 08-603 Advanced Educational Psychology | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-610 Intro to Practical & Theoretical Criticism | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-501 Writing, Language, & Pedagogy | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-698 Problems in Teaching Literature & Composition | 3 hours |
| Advised Eng Electives | 11-12 hours |
| Approved Electives | 6 hours |
| Total | 32-33 hours |
| Ed 61-695 Philosophy of Education OR 61-649 Issues in Education |
3 hours |
| Ed 61-682 Methods of Educational Research | 2 hours |
| Ed 61-683 Research Paper | 1 hour |
| Ed 61-650 Improvement of Teaching | 3 hours |
| Ed 61-651 Seminar and Practicum in Teaching | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-501 Writing, Language, & Pedagogy | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-610 Intro to Practical & Theoretical Criticism | 3 hours |
| Eng 10-698 Problems in Teaching Literature & Composition OR Eng 10-580 Methods in Secondary School English |
3 hours |
| Advised Eng Electives | 5-6 hours |
| Approved Electives | 6 hours |
| Total | 32-33 hours |
Students seeking the M.S. Ed. (Option II) in English will complete an English Department portfolio and oral defense. In addition, they will complete the required assessment for the Education Department, which be evaluated separately. Students must pass all portions of both assessments.
Students in the M.S. Ed. (Option I) programs may elect to take a concentration in Speech by declaring their intention to do so when filing for candidacy. They will be advised to take their six hours of unspecified electives in Speech, and, depending on their backgrounds in English, they may elect to take up to two additional hours of Speech in the M.S. Ed. (Option I) program. In no case will a student take fewer than 14 hours of English. Neither English 10-698 nor English 10-580 will be counted towards those 14 hours. Speech emphasis is not available in the M.S. Ed. (Option II) program.
Students seeking the M.S. Ed. (Option I) in English with a Speech emphasis will complete an English Department portfolio and oral defense and will complete a comprehensive examination in the area of Speech. M.S. Ed. (Option I) students will also complete the required assessment for the Education Department. Each department will be responsible for constructing and evaluating its part of the final assessment.