Additional Requirements
The concentration insures coherence in each student’s graduate program; breadth is insured by a distribution of courses. Much of each student’s program is taken in courses outside the concentration.
Literary Studies. Working from a variety of perspectives, this concentration focuses on the study of literature and of other culturally significant texts and materials, including, for example, film, oral materials, and political documents.
Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing Studies. This concentration emphasizes scholarship on the production of discourse, broadly conceived, and may include a focus on classical, contemporary, or cultural rhetoric; post-secondary writing pedagogy and program administration; community and adult literacy; or other subjects related to the field of writing studies.
Public Humanities. Designed for students who wish to pursue professions that may span beyond traditional academic work, this concentration prepares graduates for careers in civic, nonprofit, and community-based cultural organizations that engage the humanities, contribute to social reform, and promote the public good.
Minimum coursework required for Plan A Thesis: 26 hours Minimum thesis hours required: 4 hours See program website for course offerings in a given semester. All coursework must be at the 5000-level. Minimum coursework required for Plan B Thesis (students in online program only): 30 hours coursework minimum
Plan A Thesis: a reading list exam and a Plan A thesis with oral defense. Students may write a traditional thesis, or they may assemble a public-facing thesis portfolio. See program website for more details about thesis options.
Plan B Thesis: coursework portfolio, including pedagogical reflection essay, with oral defense.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
Those interested in graduate study in this program, are encouraged to contact the Department of English (307-766-6452, englishdept@uwyo.edu) for more information and guidance regarding applying. In order to apply, please submit the following via the University of Wyoming’s online application system (http://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/apply.html):
- Official transcripts of collegiate work completed, including any post-baccalaureate coursework. U.S. Military training transcripts that show neither grades nor degrees awarded may be submitted but are not required.
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation from:
- current or former college/university instructor(s) of the applicant; and/or
- current or previous professional supervisor(s) of the applicant.
- A 500-word statement of purpose that contains the applicant’s:
- Professional/career goals.
- Educational goals, including planned concentration.
- Statement of how the graduate program will help the applicant attain their educational and professional goals.
- Explanation for why the applicant would choose the University of Wyoming for graduate study.
- A full resume that contains:
- Record of all post-secondary academic work, including the names of the institutions, dates of attendance, and degrees earned.
- Record of all professional employment including dates for each (including any military service, AmeriCorp, PeaceCorp, Fulbright, etc. work experience).
- Any special skills or competencies (including any certifications or licenses).
- List of publications, prizes, awards, or other recognitions.
- List of service/volunteer activities.
- A 10-15 page critical writing sample.
Applications must be submitted by no later than February 1 to be considered for fall admission.
GRE scores are recommended for admission, but not required. The recommended minimum cumulative GRE score for admission is 291. A minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA is required for admission. Applicants must present evidence of a satisfactory background in English coursework.
International applicants, who are not native English-speakers, must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. A minimum of 605 on the Paper-based TOEFL and of 5.0 on the TWE are required. Equivalent minimums = 101 on the Internet-based TOEFL with a minimum of 25 on the writing section or 7 on the IELTS. International students with Teaching Assistantships require proof of English speaking proficiency: Advanced-Mid on OPIc or TOEFL speaking score of 23, or IELTS speaking score of 6.5, or DuoLingo average score of 105. Please contact the UW English Language Center (http://www.uwyo.edu/elc/) if you have questions regarding the English proficiency requirements.
Applicants to the online MA program whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.0 may be considered via the Professional Experience Track Admissions process if they have had at least two years of relevant professional experience. For more information about Professional Experience Track Admissions, please see the Graduate Admissions and Graduate Student Regulations and Policies entries in the front section of the UW Catalog.