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TWO YEAR TIMELINE FOR MA IN ENGLISH

The following timeline offers a suggested two year path through the MA program.  Keep in mind that the Graduate Adviser has the following year’s graduate course offerings by November 1^st so that students can plan their coursework accordingly.  The graduate program website (under construction!) will also offer important information regarding the program.  The following timeline includes suggested courses and also offers advice for each semester.  Keep in mind that the outline below offers general advice.  Students should fine tune their proposed courses of study with the Graduate Adviser.  Throughout your course of study, consider your goals and consult frequently with mentors. 

MA Program Requirements

·        Core courses (6 units) 500 (required) and 491, 492, 510, or 579

·        Proseminars (12 units) 525

·        Seminars (9 units)  509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, or 591

·        Project (3 units) 595

Suggested Timeline:

First Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 500
• English 525
• English 525
• English 509 or 404

Advice:  During your first semester, take the Introduction to Graduate Studies Course (500), and at least one, if not two proseminars.  If you do not take two proseminars, consider enrolling in a course to satisfy your Analysis of Discourse requirement (510, 579, 491, 492).  Please note if you are interested in creative work:  509 is not offered frequently.  To be eligible to do a creative writing project you need to take two workshops, one of which must be a 509.   

Second Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 510, or  579, 491, 492
• English 525
• English 509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 591

Advice:  During your second semester, in addition to your coursework, you should begin thinking about a project.  By the end of the semester, you should have a focus for your project, and you should also confirm a faculty director for your project.  Also, as you take your proseminar and seminar courses, keep your major texts and notes handy.  They will be useful for you MA exam preparation.  File your study plan with the Graduate Adviser after having completed 12 units, including 2 proseminars (525). 

Over the Summer: 

• Consult with your director
• Develop a research plan for your project 
• Begin to research and focus your ideas for the project
• Draft a Project Proposal 
• Study for your MA Exams

Note:  You may need to speak with faculty before the summer to develop such a plan, since faculty are not always available over the summer.  Also, since you will be taking your MA exams in the fall, studying over the summer is essential.          

Third Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 525
• English 509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 591
• Declare your intention to take the MA Exams (Due 3^rd week of the semester)
• Turn in your Project Proposal (Due 5^th week of the semester) 
• Resubmit Project Proposals (If required. Due 9^th week of the semester)
• Take your MA Exams

Advice:  During your third semester you will finalize and submit your Project Proposal.  You will also take your MA Exams.  Begin drafting your project.  Because you will only have an additional semester to complete the project, it is imperative that you begin writing the project before your last semester. 

Over Winter break:

• Work on your project. 

Fourth Semester:

• Project Writing Course 595

Advice:  Writing an MA project will take time, focus, and dedication.  Stay in consultation with your director to insure an effective timeline for the completion of your project.