If you are interested in being a mentor and teaching a course, please contact
Diane Payne. Our mentors are qualified writers/teachers.


List of Possible MFA Electives


ENGL 5013 Advanced Studies in American Literature I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL 3403 or ENGL 3413
An in-depth study of major writers, periods, movements, and themes in American literature from the beginning to 1850.

ENGL 5023 Advanced Studies in American Literature II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL 3403 or ENGL 3413
An in-depth study of major writers, periods, movements, and themes in American literature from 1850 to the present.

ENGL 5053 Advanced Studies in British Literature I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL 3423 or ENGL 3433
An in-depth study of major writers, periods, movements, and themes in British literature from the Middle Ages through the 18th century.

ENGL 5063 Advanced Studies in British Literature II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL 3423 or ENGL 3433
An in-depth study of major writers, periods, movements, and themes of British literature from the Romantic Period to the 1960’s. [For example, Charles Dickens, the Victorian Age, Modernism, British films]

ENGL 5093 Studies in Composition
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL 4753 or ENGL 4593
Theory of and research in composition, its history and its cognitive and social dimensions. The course emphasizes the effective teaching of writing.

ENGL 5153 Special Topics in Language and Literature
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: 3 hours credit in 3000-4000 level literature
Detailed study of a specific topic in language and/or literature, emphasizing readings and individual research. Topics selected may cover themes, genres, single authors, national literatures or other history or language-related subjects. May be repeated for a total of 6 (six) hours credit when different topics are covered. [For example, literary theory, graphic novels, popular fiction, adolescent literature, hypertext fiction, contemporary world writers, women writers, international film studies]

ENGL 579V Independent Study in English
Variable Credit
Consult the “Independent Study and Research” policy in the Graduate Programs section of this catalog for prerequisites and description. Prior approval necessary for enrollment. [Independent Study will accommodate specific individual student interests]


Graduate courses from disciplines outside of English can be taken with the approval of the MFA Director.