MISSION STATEMENT

The University of Akron’s graduate program in English offers M.A. tracks in both English literature and composition studies, as well as a Northeast Ohio M.F.A. in Creative Writing program offered jointly with Kent State University, Cleveland State University, and Youngstown State University. Our graduate programs meet the needs of current secondary school teachers seeking advanced training in the field, students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in English studies, students seeking advanced training in one of the many genres of creative writing, and the occasional student who for personal reasons decides to pursue graduate studies in English without a specific vocation in mind. We are committed to offering a strong foundation in each student’s chosen field while still permitting the flexibility to take electives that meet each student’s personal interests and professional needs.
Our faculty conduct research in such areas as composition theory and pedagogy, film studies, American and British literature, creative writing, and a host of other interests. We supplement formal coursework with poetry and fiction readings, lectures, and our annual graduate student spring conference. We also work closely with the Careers Center in the Arts and Sciences College, where students have access to job-hunting materials and advice about the preparation of resumes. Beginning in the fall of 2005, graduate internships for those who wish to develop additional skills and contacts necessary for success in the job market are available.

• Apply to Graduate School

The English Department requires for acceptance into the program a B.A. in English, a minor in English, or other suitable course preparation.
To qualify for full admission, a student must meet the Graduate School requirement of a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 for four years or 3.0 over the last two years. Applicants must request that official transcripts of undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate work be sent to the Graduate School. A nonrefundable application fee is also required. Applications should be received at least six weeks prior to registration, which may occur in the fall, spring, or summer terms. To qualify for provisional admission, the Graduate School requires a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 over four years or 2.75 over the last two years. A student whose GPA falls below 2.75 or who lacks the B.A. in English may be granted deferred admission and given post-baccalaureate status, which is a probationary category.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEOMFA APPLICANTS

Applicants to the NEOMFA in Creative Writing must meet the above requirements as well as submit a portfolio of creative writing to the NEOMFA selection committee. Applicants whose writing meets the high standard of the program will be admitted with Akron as their gateway school.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

In addition to the requirements for admission stated above, students whose native language is not English must meet the following requirements:

1. Take the TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language), score at least 580 on it, and have the score sent directly to the English Department by the Educational Testing Service (xerox copies of scores are not acceptable).
2. Take the TSE exam (Test of Spoken English), score at least 240 on it, and have the score reported to the English Department as explained in No. 1
3. Submit a 250-500 word description of English courses taken at the college level, making certain that the description refers to the authors covered in the courses and to the subject matter of those courses.
4. Submit an additional writing sample, if requested.

MEETING STATE AND REGIONAL NEEDS

Our strong core, coupled with a diverse faculty and wide-ranging electives, amply meets the needs of students from the state and region, many of whom are nontraditional in their academic, social, and cultural backgrounds. Because most of our students have full time jobs and attend classes part-time, we offer evening and Saturday graduate courses for scheduling convenience and efficiency. Our curriculum is geared toward meeting the needs of those who will pursue teaching on a variety of levels as well as careers outside education. The new NEOMFA program in Creative Writing is the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio, and satisfies a demand for a top-quality program in creative writing.

PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES

Since an M.A. degree in English is a liberal arts degree and does not prepare students for a single career path, our students pursue a variety of professional goals and jobs: further study at the Ph.D. level; jobs as editors, writers, and business professionals; and work as teachers in private schools and community colleges. Still others continue working at full time jobs they have held while pursuing their graduate degrees with us part time. We do not have specific placement objectives per se, but we try to ensure our program meets the needs of these various constituencies. We also strive to offer extra-curricular activities and workshops to help students prepare for the job market. Such activities include an annual graduate student symposium for those advancing in graduate work or those seeking a Ph.D.; career workshops for those seeking information on the variety of careers available; and graduate internships for those seeking on the job training for career experience.