English Education, MA


At a Glance: program details



As a current or aspiring secondary English language arts teacher, you are empowered to conduct classroom-based research, strengthen teaching practices and expand your professional knowledge base. You can achieve this through instruction and mentoring provided by dynamic faculty who specialize in teaching secondary writing, young adult literature, literacy and social justice.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MA English Education

The MA in English education is a one-year, intensive program designed to prepare practicing and transitioning teachers for careers as exemplary educators, teacher-researchers and leaders in English language arts instruction.

Students in the program develop a deep understanding of the English language arts by learning how to access, analyze and apply research and best practices for teaching secondary students (grades 7-12). This program balances the refining of disciplinary knowledge with pedagogical application of that knowledge in classrooms. Students take a variety of dynamic, contemporary methods courses, including advanced methods courses in research in English education, methods of teaching writing and text, teaching postcolonial young adult literature and teaching writing in an era of standardization.

This innovative course of study culminates with an inquiry project related to English language arts instruction in secondary classrooms. The program empowers students to employ teacher research and inquiry to address questions they have about their own students' learning and their own teaching practice.

*Note: This degree is not TESOL, ESL, or EFL related. If interested in these fields, check out our MTESOL and MA Linguistics and Applied Linguistics programs.

Please review the application procedures on the website.

Application Deadlines:
First Application Review Deadline: January 15
Final Application Review Deadline: June 15

Note: The committee reviews applications shortly after the deadline. The application must be complete with all supporting documents before review. This is the applicant's responsibility. Please plan accordingly when submitting an application.

Qualifications: Graduate Education requires a grade point average of “B” (3.0) or better in the last two years of work leading to the bachelor’s degree. Applicants for the MA English (English education track) should have an undergraduate major in English, a related educational field, or teaching experience in the English Language Arts at the secondary level.

Candidates must submit the following:

  • Online application
  • One to two page statement of purpose detailing the students background, reasons for wanting to do graduate work in English Education, and goals.
  • Three academic or professional letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member familiar with the applicant's academic work
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Official transcripts
  • The GRE is not required for this program.

Contact enggrad@asu.edu for questions pertaining to application. 

Christina Saidy, Director

Faculty in English Education

Graduate Admissions Procedure

FAQs

Important Notice to Current International Students: In order for international students to maintain good standing for their VISAs, they must take a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (i.e., 3 classes), 6 of which should be face-to-face classes.



Accelerated Degree Option (4 + 1)

Accelerated master's (previously called 4+1) degree programs combining undergraduate and graduate coursework in your senior year for dual credit, you'll save up to an entire year of schooling and receive both degrees in as little as five years.


Degree Requirements

30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593)

Required Core (12 credit hours)
ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
ENG 506 Methods and Issues in Teaching Language (3)
ENG 507 Methods and Issues in Teaching Composition (3)
ENG 606 Advanced Studies in English Education (3)

Electives or Research (12 credit hours)

Other Requirements (3 credit hours)
ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (3)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
ENG 593 Applied Project (3)


Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in English, creative writing, English education, secondary education or secondary curriculum and instruction, or a master's degree in education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Current certification in secondary English language arts (grades 6-12), or equivalent certification, or a minimum of two years teaching English language arts in a school setting is required.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. statement of purpose
  4. resume or curriculum vitae
  5. two letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applications will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency; official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.

Applicants must submit a well-considered, one- to two-page statement of purpose in which they explain how their experience and training have prepared them for the English education program, their goals in pursuing the MA in English education and plans for the future.

Two letters of recommendation are required; a third is optional. The letters should provide a clear picture of the applicant's potential for successfully completing a master's degree, so at least one of the letters should be from a university professor who is familiar with the applicant's academic work and with master's-level academic programs.

Courses and Electives

The Master of Arts in English Education consists of 30 hours of graduate courses (i.e. courses that carry a 500-level credit or above. These courses are carefully sequenced over the course of one full year (full academic year plus summer). Students in the MA English Education participate in a cohorted program in which all students admitted in an academic year take courses together for the duration of the program. Courses meet in face-to-face, hybrid, and online settings.

The required courses in the Master of Arts in English Education  are:

Fall Semester: ENG 501 Approaches to Research, ENG 506 Methods and Issues in Teaching Language; ENG 507 Methods and Issues in Teaching Composition.

Spring Semester:  2 cohorted elective courses (level 500 and above), ENG 592 Research (Please note: the default when registering is 1 credit hour and it must be changed to 3 credit hours), ENG 606 Advanced Studies in English Education.

Summer Semester (Session A):  ENG 593 Applied Project (Please note: the default when registering is 1 credit hour and it must be changed to 3 credit hours); ENG 594 Central Arizona Writing Project

Summer Semester (Session B):  ENG 540 Teaching Young Adult Literature

Applied Project (ENG 593 – 3 hours): Students in the MA English Education will produce a project under the supervision of the Applied Project director and orally present it at the end of the semester applied project showcase.  One additional committee member is required.  Applied projects may include: curriculum design, professional portfolio, teacher inquiry research project, etc.

When filling in the Plan of Study (iPOS), students will list the required courses in the appropriate sections:

Required Core (12 credit hours)

  • ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
  • ENG 506 Methods and Issues in Teaching Language (3)
  • ENG 507 Methods and Issues in Teaching Composition (3)
  • ENG 606 Advanced Studies in English Education (3)

Electives or Research (12 credit hours)

  • a cohorted elective course (level 500 and above) (3)
  • a cohorted elective course (level 500 and above) (3)
  • ENG 592 Research (3)
  • ENG 540 Teaching Young Adult Literature (3)

Other Requirements (3 credit hours)

  • ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (3)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

  • ENG 593 Applied Project (3)


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BA - English (Secondary Education)

Inspire the minds of future leaders by teaching English at the high school level. Leading education scholars will mentor you in methods of teaching English, which you'll put to use during professional field experiences and student teaching, preparing you for certification in the state of Arizona.

Website | Locations: TEMPE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.



Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs

Apply to a program

Visit our campus

Application Deadlines

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type

Session A/C
In Person
June 15th
Final
Session A/C
In Person
January 1st
Priority


Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to interrogate their own pedagogical practices (i.e., curriculum and instruction, differentiation, English language learners, cultural responsiveness, assessment, digital and new literacies) in the teaching of English language arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, use of language, technology) and make appropriate adaptations to best meet all students' needs.
  • Students will be able to locate, analyze and synthesize qualitative or quantitative teacher research studies specific to important issues in their own English language arts classrooms or schools.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize various qualitative and quantitative research methods as appropriate and effective means for pursuing specific lines of classroom-based teacher inquiry and explain the pros and cons of a given methodological approach in terms of their classroom research.
  • Students will demonstrate the use of appropriate, effective qualitative or quantitative research methods as they design and implement studies for the purpose of improving curriculum and instruction in their own school districts and sharing their findings in a public forum.
  • Students will be able to identify important educational issues they face in teaching English language arts, survey a variety of resources (i.e., research literature, expert opinion and educational policy), and synthesize their learning into plans for best practice.

Career Opportunities

Careers for English education graduates include professions related to the field of secondary language arts and literacy education in secondary schools.

Career examples include:

  • curriculum development
  • dual enrollment teachers
  • faculty positions at colleges and universities
  • instructional leaders
  • literacy coaches
  • middle and high school English teachers
  • teacher leadership and research

Students who complete the Master of Arts in English education may have the appropriate degree to be qualified to teach dual-credit English education courses.

Global Opportunities

Global Experience

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.