About

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

Graduate students have two options for completing the M.A. in English Teaching:

• Strand One is designed to extend and enrich the professional development of experienced middle school and high school teachers of English language arts.
• Strand Two is designed for individuals who have a B.A. in English or a related field and who wish to be licensed to teach English 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 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.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the MA in English Teaching Option degree include thirty-six (36) credits of graduate-level course work, an in-house professional paper, and an oral defense of the paper. Course requirements include three 500-level workshops in English teaching pedagogy, two 500-level literature seminars, and up to 4 professional paper credits. Students must also complete 20th Century Critical Theory, and either Introduction to Linguistics or Structure and History of English for Teachers (unless these courses or their equivalents have already been completed). Students may take up to nine (9) credits in courses outside the department, and up to nine (9) credits of Graduate Independent Study. Excluding professional paper credits, half of the remaining credits must be earned in 500-level courses.

Application Deadline and Requirements

Deadlines

The MA in English (Teaching option) has rolling admissions. We admit students in Fall, Spring, and Summer. However, if you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship, you must be admitted to the MA in English (Teaching option) program by January 30.

Please go to the U.M. Graduate School website to see the application requirements and process.

GRE scores are not required.

Official transcripts (sent directly from each University you attended) will need to be submitted electronically to the University of Montana Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

• CV or resume with a list of any relevant awards, honors or publications.
• Goal Statement: 100-300 word essay describing your personal goals for graduate study.
• An expository writing sample (a critical essay or research paper).
• Three confidential recommendations: the people recommending you will be contacted by email (their current email address is required).

More Information

To learn more about this program contact Program Director Jeff Ross.