For virtually all full-time students, the M.A. in English Program is fully funded. Students receive funding through a combination of Graduate Assistantships held by the English Department and by allied offices on campus, which provide students with valuable professional experience that supplements their graduate coursework. Graduate Assistants receive a full tuition waiver and a stipend toward living expenses for their two years in the program in this multifaceted assistantship structure.

Tuition and stipend amounds for teaching and non-teaching Graduate Assistantships can be found here. Please go to the Cost of Attendance Calculator to compare these funding packages with the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study. 

Please note that International Students are responsible for a couple of additional costs not covered by the Graduate Assistantship funding package. Visit International Student Fees and International Tuition and Living Costs for more information. 

(This may be year one or year two, depending on the number of assistantships and the number of opportunities):

• In the fall of the “teaching year,” students will serve as teaching assistants in an introductory undergraduate course for English majors or General Education students. This will offer students the opportunity to lead some discussions, do minimal grading, and work closely with the instructor, all while reviewing the important building blocks of the discipline. Instructors will submit a short assessment of each teaching assistant’s performance at the conclusion of the semester.
  
  
• In the spring of the “teaching year,” students will serve as discussion section leaders in a larger course. Each student will lead an independent discussion section once a week and grade assignments for the section, while norming grades and working closely with the instructor of the course. At the same time, students will register for ENG 605 (Professional Seminar in Literature Pedagogy), a 3-credit course designed to inform and supplement their experience as discussion section leaders.

(This may be year one or year two, depending on the number of assistantships and the number of opportunities):

• In the non-teaching year, students will be assigned to work a non-teaching role designed to build a broader experience in the discipline and in allied professional contexts. The placement of these positions (15-20 hours/week) can vary from year-to-year, but in the past students have gained experience in academic publishing and editorial work, libraries and archives, writing instruction and support, digital humanities, podcasting, social media and communications, arts and culture programming, undergraduate mentoring, grant writing, faculty research assistantships, and—for those interested in extending their teaching experience—serving as teacher of record in a course of their own design. Every effort will be made to match student interests and experience with the appropriate professional experience.