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 and with an emphasis on gender, the program provides broad surveys of English, American, and world literature, while also requiring a depth of knowledge in literary research, history, and interpretation.
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 remote synchronously. This format allows for in-depth discussions that are a hallmark of our program while still offering the convenience of remote learning for working adults.
Courses are offered in a sequence:
- One evening class per week in fall and spring
- Two evening classes per week in the summer sessions
The MA in English Literature is a part-time degree program and can be completed within three years.
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.
NDMU offers rolling admission for this program and students can enter the program any semester.
Admissions Requirements
Application
- Application materials should be submitted to:
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Theresa Hall 001
4701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
processing@ndm.edu
Personal Statement (500–750 words)
- The MA in English Literature program is centered around seminar-style learning and participatory dialogue. We are a community of readers, writers, and thinkers who engage deeply with literature and its interpretation—exploring how texts function within their historical, cultural, and theoretical contexts. Please share how you envision engaging in this kind of collaborative, conversation-driven environment by addressing one or more of the following:
- What motivates you to pursue graduate study in English literature at this stage in your academic or professional life
- What do you hope to achieve through the MA in English program, both intellectually and in terms of your broader academic, professional, or personal goals?
- What unique perspectives, experiences, or contributions would you bring to our literary community?
- Are there particular literary periods, authors, questions, or themes that especially interest you?
Optional Writing Sample (1,000–2,500 words)
- If available, please submit a sample of academic writing that demonstrates your skills in literary analysis or analytical writing. This sample should reflect your ability to engage critically with texts, construct and support an argument, and write with clarity and purpose. While not required, a writing sample can help us better understand your readiness for graduate-level coursework in English literature.
Additional Info
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
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)