Graduate English
English MA student Nyoka Pierce (Creative Writing) presents her award-winning poem "Eleven" at the 2025 Thesis Reading
Graduate Studies in English
Why pursue your graduate degree in English Studies at 91热爆网? The English Studies graduate program offers flexibility, preparation for meaningful careers, and a sense of community rooted in the beauty and rich literary tradition of Western North Carolina.
Study as either a full-time or part-time student, taking classes at our Cullowhee and Asheville campuses. Take classes in your area of interest and explore English Studies beyond your chosen concentration, with faculty who have won every teaching award 91热爆网 offers. Be part of a community of engaged peers and faculty who are dedicated to serving 91热爆网鈥檚 students and the WNC region. Prepare for a career as a novelist, a grant writer, a teacher, or a nonprofit advocate in whatever community you join after leaving 91热爆网.
Prepare for your next step. Be engaged. Find your voice.
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, August 5, 2025: 5-6:30 p.m.
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process, and meet key program representatives.
Degree Options
An MA in English helps students prepare for a host of professional careers, including community college teaching, writing and editing positions, research-intensive professions, law and library schools, professional or technical writing, and doctoral studies. Students take a broad array of classes and choose a concentration in one of four areas:
- Creative Writing鈥擲tudy creative writing with Ron Rash, author of Serena, and other notable faculty teaching fiction, poetry, and nonfiction writing classes
- Professional Writing and Rhetoric鈥擧one technical, professional, and business writing skills with faculty who complement their teaching expertise with real-world experience
- Literature鈥� Study literature with faculty whose research interests range from medieval and renaissance literature to film studies to Southern, twentieth century, African American, environmental, postcolonial, and Latin American literature
- Cherokee Studies鈥擡ngage with 91热爆网鈥檚 location in the spiritual and cultural homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee to study Cherokee literature and culture at the source
Learn more about program specifics in the .
The Technical and Professional Writing Certificate is designed for those who are looking to build new writing skills to advance in their current position, or for those looking to change careers. Students pursuing the Certificate take 15 credit hours at our Cullowhee and Asheville campuses. Should students wish to pursue a graduate degree, the courses in the Certificate can be applied toward the MA in English.
Learn more about program specifics in the .
The MAEd is for individuals who already hold a North Carolina teaching license (typically with a BSEd in English) who wish to become more professionally competitive. The programs focuses on preparing students to understand and critically evaluate the practice of education. A shared program between the English and Education Departments, the MAEd requires 12 hours in the Professional Core in Education and 24 hours in English.
Leran more about program specifics in the .
The online Certificate Program in TESOL is a non-degree option that prepares students to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of contexts ranging from overseas instruction to community college instruction to language support in community settings. The program is well-suited for both those who have a background in education as well as those who wish to make a career change and move into an exciting and diverse field. Students in the TESOL certificate program take 15 hours of graduate coursework. All courses are held online.
Learn more about program specifics in the .
Funding Opportunities
Graduate Assistantships
All full-time students in the MA are eligible for Graduate Assistantships (GAs). Many first-year GAs work as a tutors in the university鈥檚 writing center, the Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC). First-year GAs also participate in our teaching mentorship program and take courses on teaching first-year writing. Both experiences prepare GAs for the second-year assistantship, during which they teach one section per semester of English 101: Writing & Rhetoric, and ENGL 202: Writing & Critical Inquiry.
Other assistantship opportunities are sometimes available. These opportunities include performing professional writing work in other units across campus, serving as editor of , our graduate student literary magazine, or working as an intern for the Department of English Studies鈥� annual Literary Festival.
Graduate Scholarships
All full-time students in the MA are also eligible for scholarships. We offer Graduate Excellence awards ($5,000 per year for two years) and one year in- and out-of-state tuition remission awards.
Interested students should contact the Graduate Program Director and apply at .
For more information on scholarships, tuition waivers, grants, fellowships, and awards, see the Graduate School's Tuition and Funding page, including a Cost Calculator.
Apply
Application Requirements
You can build and submit your application at . To apply, you will need:
- Undergraduate Transcripts: An average grade of B or higher in upper-level undergraduate courses in the major
- Writing Sample: This should be 8-12 double-spaced pages in length and demonstrate your ability to engage in analytical thinking, professional-level writing, and to engage research. This type of essay is typically produced in senior-level English courses, but other writing samples may be considered. Reach out to the Graduate Program Director (Emily Naser-Hall, enaserhall@wcu.edu) with questions about preparing your writing sample.
- Two Letters of Recommendation: These letters should address issues such as professionalism, analytical and creative thinking, ability in writing鈥攖hat is, your potential for success in graduate study. Letters are preferably from former professors, though letters from colleagues and others with related professional experience are accepted.
- GRE scores are not required
- For the MAEd, a personal interview may be requested
- For the MAEd, applicants must hold or be eligible for the North Carolina "A" license in this field
Application Deadlines
The Graduate School at 91热爆网 accepts student applications throughout the year. Application deadlines are:
- August 1 for Fall semester start
- December 1 for Spring semester start
Learn more about Graduate School Admission requirements on the Graduate School鈥檚 website.