California State University, Bakersfield

Graduate Student Center

 
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Contact Information:
For more information call the
Department of English: 661-654-2144

Masters of Arts in English


The mission of the graduate program in English is fourfold: to develop students’ knowledge of current critical and scholarly approaches to the study of literature and language; to enhance their knowledge of the structure and history of the English language; to clarify problems and issues raised by contemporary research in the teaching of composition; and to reinforce students’ knowledge and application of primary and secondary sources.

Characteristics of the Program

  • A carefully planned and integrated program ensuring a foundation of professional skills through a common core of courses.
  • Well established Teaching Assistant Program in the teaching of composition.
  • Opportunity for students to earn the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Writing in conjunction with the M.A. degree.

When to Apply


Fall admission: July 1

Winter admission: November 1

Spring admission: February 1

Admission Requirements

  • A completed university application form through CSUMentor
  • A baccalaureate degree in English from an accredited college or university with the equivalents of ENGL 300, ENGL/LING 319 and ENGL/LING 414.
  • Students who have a baccalaureate degree in a subject other than English must complete the eight-course (40 units) undergraduate equivalency for English.
  • A 3.0 GPA (A=4.0) for the last 90 quarter units (60 semester units) attempted.
  • An overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in upper division English classes.
  • For students who do not have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in upper division English classes and in the last 60 semester units of academic work, a combined score of 1000 on both the verbal measure of the Graduate Record Exam General Test and the Literature in English Subject Exam, with a minimum of 500 on the verbal measure.
  • For international students whose first language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 or higher (or 213 on the new conversation scale for the computer-based TOEFL).
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