We see our annual spring Graduate Symposium as a highlight of the MA in English program—a chance for our graduating students to share their scholarship, celebrate their accomplishments, and step confidently into the next stage of their academic or professional lives. 

Hosted in early April, the Graduate Symposium brings together MA students, faculty, friends, and guests for a day of capstone presentations and conversation. Graduating students deliver a conference-style talk based on their MA Portfolio and participate in a Q&A with the Graduate Committee, faculty, and fellow students. The event showcases the breadth of work our students pursue, including a diverse range of approaches to literary scholarship, bolstered by professional experience in teaching, digital and public humanities, archival work, editing, arts programming, grant writing, and more. 

The Graduate Symposium is both a celebration and a launch point—an opportunity to present polished research, receive meaningful feedback, and mark the culmination of your graduate studies. Whether you’re a current student preparing to present, a first-year student looking to see what is ahead, or a prospective student exploring our program, the Graduate Symposium offers a glimpse into the vibrant intellectual community that defines the MA in English at JMU.