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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog English

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Campus Box 4240

(309) 438-3667

Chairperson: Katherine Ellison

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Programs Offered

M.A./M.S. and Ph.D. in English; M.A./M.S. in English Education; Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).Ìý


Accelerated Master’s Degree in English Education

High achieving students who graduated with a degree in ISU’s Accelerated English Education undergraduate program are allowed to apply up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Course Finder

Programs >

  • Master's Degree in English
  • Master's of English Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in English
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Master's Degree in English Program

Degree Offered: M.A., M.S.

The Department offers a master's degree in English, with emphases by advising in English studies, children’s literature, creative writing, linguistics, literary and cultural studies, rhetoric and composition, technical writing and rhetorics, and TESOL. is required for students with teaching assistantships in the writing program.

Option 1 - Non-Thesis

This degree option, made in consultation with the advisor, requires 11 courses and either a comprehensive examination or a portfolio, the contents of which are to be determined by the student, also in consultation with the advisor.

Option 2 - Thesis

This degree option, made in consultation with the advisor, requires 10 courses and a thesis. The typical program is approximately 34 semester hours.

Master's of English Education Program

Degree Offered: M.A., M.S.

The Master of English Education is a professional degree designed to improve the content and pedagogical knowledge of in service teachers of English language arts (ELA) who already possess a bachelor’s degree in English Education. The 34 credit hour degree requires core coursework in English Education and elective coursework in English or related disciplines. It also requires a thesis.

Students who wish to complete degree requirements for a Master of Arts rather than Master of Science, must complete the Graduate School Master of Arts degree foreign language requirement.

English Education Content:

  • 15 credit hours of the following: , , , , .

Elective Content:

  • 15 credit hours from 400-level courses in English. Students may take graduate courses in other related disciplines such as Educational Administration and Foundations, Special Education, Teaching and Learning, Theater, and Communication. Written permission must be received prior to enrollment from the English Education Graduate Program Coordinator.

Required Thesis

  • 4 credit hours of under the direction of English Education graduate faculty advisor or thesis chair.

Doctor of Philosophy in English Studies Program

Degree Offered: Ph.D.

The Ph.D requires a minimum of 12 courses (exclusive of ENG 591 and ENG 599). ÌýA full-time student should normally complete coursework in two calendar years, a part-time student, in four years. Other university requirements for Ph.D. degrees are listed elsewhere in this catalog.

Course requirements include:Ìý

  • 3 hours: for students with teaching assistantships in compositionÌý
  • 18–21 hours: in area of specialization
  • 9–12 hours: in areas outside of specialization
  • 6 hours: pedagogyÌý
  • comprehensive examinations: specialization exam and English Studies presentationÌý
  • 4 hours: Ìý
  • 15+ hours: , dissertation that connects research in language, literature, or writing with pedagogy

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The graduate certificate requires 15 hours to consist of or , , , and . Students desiring to acquire the certificate should consult the Graduate Program Director.

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