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English

The M.A. in English Teaching Option offers a balance of advanced studies in composition, linguistics, literature, critical theory and pedagogy.

With additional coursework, field experiences, and student teaching, individuals may receive secondary English licensure and an M.A. in English. After admission to the M.A. in English (Teaching Option), Graduate students must apply to the Teacher Education Program in Curriculum & Instruction in order to take licensure courses at the graduate level. Strand Two is also appropriate for individuals who wish to learn teaching pedagogy but do not need secondary licensure.

The English Teaching program is also the home of the Montana Writing Project, an affiliate of the National Writing Project, which is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of writing at all grade levels.

Graduates from the M.A. in English Teaching Option pursue opportunities in secondary education and/or go on to leadership positions in middle and high school English departments and/or curriculum programs. Candidates may apply for admission throughout the year. In a typical year, 7 - 10 students enter the program; rates of acceptance are higher than for the other two programs.

Graduate students have two options/strands for completing the M.A. degree in English (Teaching Option):

Strand One

  • This program is designed to extend and enrich the professional development of experienced middle school and high school teachers of English language arts. Upon admission to the program, you should consult with Professor Beverly Chin to serve as your program advisor. With your advisor, you will plan a minimum of thirty–six (36) graduate credits.

  • 1. Three courses from the following ENT 500–level courses:

    • ENT 542: Theories and Pedagogies of Rhetoric & Composition for Teachers (3 credits)
    • ENT 543: Advanced Teaching Strategies for Young Adult Literature (3 credits)
    • ENT 544: Creative Drama in English Class (3 credits)
    • ENT 545: Theories and Pedagogies of Literacy for Teachers (3 credits)
    • ENT 546: Theories of Literary Criticism for Teachers (3 credits)
    • ENT 547: Advanced Teaching Strategies for Writing and Reading (3 credits)
    • ENT 548: Portfolios and Assessment in English Language Arts (3 credits)
    • ENT 595: Special Topics (variable credits)
    • ENT 550: Montana Writing Project (9 credits)
    • ENT 552: Montana Writing Project Leadership Training (7 credits)

    2. Two courses from the LIT 500–level literature seminars

    3. One course in linguistics (unless this requirement was fulfilled at the undergraduate level). We recommend ENLT 465/LING 465: Structure and History of English for Teachers. This course should be taken for graduate credit.

    4. One course in 20th century critical theory (unless this requirement was fulfilled at the undergraduate level). We recommend ENT 546: Theories of Literary Criticism for Teachers.

    5. Electives in ENT, LIT (Literature), ENLI (Linguistics), WRIT (Composition & Rhetoric), ENFM (Film Studies), and ENIR (Irish Studies).

    6. ENT 593: Professional Paper (1–4 credits). ENT 593 provides individual guidance and mentoring during the research and writing of the professional paper for completion of the M.A. degree.

  • You may include up to 9 graduate credits (of the minimum 36 credits) from courses outside the English Department (i.e., credits not derived from ENT, LIT, ENLI, ENCR, WRIT, ENFM, and ENIR classes).

    If you have graduate credits from another institution or program, you may petition to transfer up to 9 graduate credits. If you have graduate credits that are older than six (6) years, you may petition to include them in the 36 credits. Petitions should be made during the second semester of your coursework.

    At least 50% of your total graduate credits, not counting professional paper credits, must be at the 500–level or above.

Strand Two

  • This program option is designed for individuals who have a B.A. in English and who wish to be licensed at the secondary level (grades 5–12) while they work on the M.A. in English (Teaching Option). With additional coursework, field experiences, and student teaching, individuals may receive licensure and an M.A. degree.  Upon your admission to the MA in English (Teaching Option), you will need to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program.  Admission to the Teacher Education Program is limited; deadlines for application are September 15 and February 15. See or visit the College of Education and Human Sciences and/or the Course Catalog for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for more information about secondary licensure. Your program advisor in English Teaching, Professor Beverly Chin will help you plan your program.

  • To be licensed in secondary English language arts (grades 5–12) in Montana, you must have a B.A. in English and have the following courses in English (or their equivalents):

    • LIT 300: Applied Literary Criticism
    • LIT 327: Shakespeare (G credit)
    • ENLI 465/LING 465: Structure and History of English for Teachers (G credit)
    • ENT 439: Studies in Young Adult Literature (G credit); autumn semester only
    • ENT 440: Teaching Writing (G credit)
    • ENT 441: Teaching Reading and Literature (G credit)
    • ENT 442: teaching Oral Language and Media Literacy (G credit)
    • All Curriculum and Instruction licensure requirements (many of which carry G credit)

  • You´ll notice that most of the above English courses, with the exception of LIT 300, carry graduate status and thus can apply to the minimum thirty–six (36) graduate credits for the M.A. degree.

    Up to nine graduate credits outside of English (i.e., the C & I courses with graduate credit) may be applied to that minimum of 36 credits.

    You may take ENT 546 (Theories of Literary Criticism for Teachers) in place of LIT 300; (4) Specific 500–level ENT courses may be used as substitutes for ENT 439, 440, 441, and/or 442. Here are the approved substitutions (consult with Professor Bruce or Professor Chin regarding other possible substitutions):

    • In place of ENT 439 G, you may take ENT 543: Advanced Teaching Strategies for Young Adult Literature
    • In place of ENT 440 G, you may take ENT 542: Theories and Pedagogies of Rhetoric and Composition for Teachers, or ENT 547: Advanced Teaching Strategies for Writing and Reading, or ENT 550: Montana Writing Project
    • In place of ENT 441 G, you may take ENT 543: Advanced Teaching Strategies for Young Adult Literature or ENT 545: Theories and Pedagogies of Literacy for Teachers
    • In place of ENT 442 G, you may take ENT 544: Creative Drama in the English Class