English Graduate Program
The English M.A. program at Cal Poly Pomona offers the opportunity for students to engage in advanced study in the fields of Literature, Rhetoric & Composition, and/or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The program prepares students to pursue careers in high school and postsecondary teaching in community college and university settings, to continue on to doctoral studies, and to enter career fields requiring superior proficiency in written and oral communication, critical thinking, analysis, and research.
Students work with an advisor to tailor their course of study to their own interests and needs. Students declare one field as a primary research field and then select a group of directed electives as a secondary area of expertise in a 30-31 semester-unit program. This dual-emphasis program gives our students a diverse and integrated knowledge set that make them professionally competitive. Literature students may choose to take their directed electives in Literature, Rhetoric & Composition or TESOL; Rhetoric & Composition students may choose to take their directed electives in Literature or TESOL. TESOL students do not select a secondary area of study, in order to meet State requirements in their field.
Cal Poly Pomona's M.A. program is distinct for its dual-emphasis program, which allows a great deal of flexibility to accommodate students' varied experiences and aspirations. With 15-21 units dedicated to each option, or field, students customize their degree. In addition, the EML department participates in the University's Learn by Doing approach, which helps connect our students to the professional world. Students are given opportunities to do professional research, model the professional conference, and teach in the classroom.
Cal Poly Pomona’s unique dual-emphasis program refers to three different Options. or fields, within the English department: Literature, Rhetoric & Composition, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). For more information on each option, click on the links to the left. Students declare one field as a primary research field and then select a group of directed electives as a secondary area of expertise. Literature students may choose to take their directed electives in Literature, Rhetoric & Composition or TESOL; Rhetoric & Composition students may choose to take their directed electives in Literature or TESOL. TESOL students do not select a secondary area of study, in order to meet State requirements in their field.
Absolutely. Most of our students are gainfully employed throughout their education, either full-time or part-time.
No prerequisites are required to enter the program and pursue any of our three options, whether students hold an undergraduate degree in English or not.
Courses in the program are scaffolded to ensure the success of all students no matter their level of preparation in the field.
The M.A. program is typically a 2-year to 2 ½ program for full-time students. The time it takes to complete the degree depends on the individual. Factors that can extend the time it takes to complete the degree include commitments outside the University.
The program prepares students to pursue careers in high school and postsecondary teaching in community college and university settings, working in fields of publishing/editing, and continue on to doctoral studies. Most importantly, students are prepared to enter career fields that require superior proficiency in written and oral communication, critical thinking, analysis, and research.