Teaching of Writing and Literature Concentration

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-ENGL-TWL

The Master of Arts in English at Mason offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills of reading, writing, research and teaching with courses that encompass the wide range of contemporary English studies. Students can work in and across concentrations in literature, professional writing, rhetoric, cultural studies, film, folklore, linguistics, and the teaching of writing and literature. It offers the MA in field-specific concentrations as well as the opportunity to combine a concentration in one field with a certificate from another one. Many students use the MA for professional enhancement, or as an entry into teaching, professional writing, or doctoral study.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 30 credits in one concentration. 

Students in the concentration of teaching of writing and literature must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a foreign language in one of the following ways: submitting an undergraduate (or continuing education) transcript that includes courses corresponding to intermediate proficiency; completing a Mason foreign language course numbered 202 or higher; passing a proficiency exam administered by the English department.

Concentration in the Teaching of Writing and Literature (TWL)

Research Courses  
ENGH 500 Research in English Studies 3
ENGH 602 Pedagogical Research 3
Teaching Writing  
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
Proseminar in Composition Instruction  
Northern Virginia Writing Project Inservice Program 1  
Visiting Writers 2  
Teaching Literature  
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
Proseminar in Teaching the Reading of Literature 3  
Northern Virginia Writing Project Inservice Program 1  
Composition Theory  
ENGH 697 Composition Theory 3
or ENGH 611 Studies in Rhetoric
Literature Courses  
Select 6 credits from courses in the Literature Concentration 6
Linguistics Course  
Select 3 credits from the following. 4 3
Introduction to Linguistics  
Field Work in Applied Linguistics  
Applied Linguistics: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)  
English Grammar and Pedagogy  
Methods of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners  
Psycholinguistics  
Electives  
6 credits of electives 6
Optional Thesis  
Select 6 credits of thesis in place of elective requirement.  
Thesis (6 credits)  
Total Credits 30
1

Offered only to full-time teachers through school district contracts.

2

NVWP Summer Institute, open to full-time teachers on an invitation basis. 

3

Open to non-TAs in the spring semester. 

4

Note all courses, with exception of LING 520 Introduction to Linguistics, have prerequisites.