MA
Certificate
English Department
The Master of Arts in English Literature at NDMU is ideal for secondary English teachers or those planning to pursue doctoral-level work in English. Focused on breadth of content, the program provides broad surveys of English, American, and world literature, while also requiring a depth of knowledge in literary research, history, and interpretation.
Woman reading in front of a bookshelf
Program Location

Program Options

The English Literature program offers two distinct options

  • Master's Degree
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Stackable Credentials

Credits earned in the post-baccalaureate certificate program can roll seamlessly into the MA in English Literature.

Master's Degree

Required Core Courses

ENG 501 - Research Methodologies of Literary Criticism (3)
ENG 508 - Contemporary Literary Theory (3)

Literary Movements Courses

ENG 518 - Medievalism (3)
ENG 519 - Renaissance and Neoclassicism (3)
ENG 528 - Romanticism (3)
ENG 529 - Realism and Victorianism (3)
ENG 538 - Modernism and Postmodernism (3)
ENG 547 - New Woman Literature (3)

Topics Seminars and Other Courses

ENG 507 - Pedagogy of Creative Writing (3)
ENG 511 - Topics in Literature (3)
ENG 527 - London Theatre Tour (3)
ENG 548 - Classical World Literature (3)
ENG 549 - Modern World Literature (3)
ENG 551 - Literary Utopias (3)
ENG 558 - Multicultural American Literature (3)

Curriculum for MA Certification - 5 Courses (15 Credits)

Required: choose either ENG 501 - Research Methodologies of Literary Criticism (3) or ENG 508 - Contemporary Literary Theory (3)
Choose any other 4 courses in Literary Movements, Topic Seminars and other Courses

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

This 15-credit-hour program requires five courses in literary research methods, literary theory, literary movements and topics seminars.

Required Courses

Select one of the following courses:

ENG 501 - Research Methodologies of Literary Criticism (3)
ENG 508 - Contemporary Literary Theory (3)

Electives

Students also complete four additional courses from among the following. The courses in Literary Movements provide breadth in literary history. Topics courses provide depth in a particular significant area.

Literary Movements Courses

ENG 518 - Medievalism (3)
ENG 519 - Renaissance and Neoclassicism (3)
ENG 528 - Romanticism (3)
ENG 529 - Realism and Victorianism (3)
ENG 538 - Modernism and Postmodernism (3)
ENG 547 - New Woman Literature (3)

Topics Seminars and Other Courses

ENG 507 - Pedagogy of Creative Writing (3)
ENG 511 - Topics in Literature (3)
ENG 527 - London Theatre Tour (3)
ENG 548 - Classical World Literature (3)
ENG 549 - Modern World Literature (3)
ENG 551 - Literary Utopias (3)
ENG 558 - Multicultural American Literature (3)

What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Small classes, lectures and seminars assure personal attention and encourage interactive group discussions in a collaborative environment while carefully designed class schedules offer working professionals the flexibility to study part-time.

Class Schedules

Courses are offered in a sequence:

  • One evening class per week in fall and spring
  • Two evening classes per week in both summer sessions

Taken part-time, the degree can be completed within three years.

Paul Huey-Burns
Alum

Paul Huey-Burns

Preparing for a New Career

Alum, NDMU Class of 2018
English Literature
I teach American Literature and AP Language & Composition at a private secondary school in Potomac, MD. Prior to my becoming a teacher, I practiced corporate and securities law as a partner in the DC office of one of the world’s leading law firms. When I decided to become a teacher, I wanted to continue to practice law while establishing my credentials for “Career 2.0.” I investigated many M.A. literature programs, but none offered the combination of quality and flexibility that NDMU offered. More importantly, once I began the program, I found myself connected to classmates who loved literature and professors who loved to teach literature. My classmates and professors became more than colleagues, they became friends. To this day, we gather (virtually) to talk about books. I received my undergraduate and law degrees at schools that are considered among the nation’s best. Yet, my most rewarding educational experience—the one that will stay with me for the rest of my life—was at NDMU.

English Careers

The Master of Arts in English provides the content and methodologies required to become a better teacher of English at the secondary level, or to prepare to pursue doctoral-level work in English.