The University of Cincinnati, home of The Cincinnati Review, offers a Master of Arts degree with tracks in literary and cultural studies, creative writing, and professional writing and editing. All master's coursework is seminar- or workshop- style, and all classes are supervised by our most active researchers and publishing writers. The curriculum is enhanced by the annual Ropes Lecture series, speakers from the Taft Center for the Humanities, and a superlative array of visiting creative writers.

UC’s MA in literature degree is a generalist program with courses ranging from Early Modern to Contemporary American. The literary and cultural studies curriculum introduces students to the ways theory frames literary issues, and presents a range of theory-based and literature electives. The creative writing workshop environment is both rigorous and supportive, and students are encouraged to feel part of a community of writers. Our track in professional writing and editing emphasizes a theoretical foundation adaptable to many fields, and guides students to professional-level internships. Masters students have outstanding publication histories and go on to prestigious PhD programs, as well as careers in writing and editing.

Curriculum

ENGC-MA Literary and Cultural Studies Track - for students admitted in or after Fall 2020

Courses all ENGL-MA students are required to take. (10 Credits)
ENGL 7130 may be waived for students pursuing the degree on a part-time basis. If waived, student should take a literature course as replacement.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ENGL7101    Introduction to Graduate Study    1
ENGL7104    Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory    3
ENGL7130    Teaching College Writing    3
ENGL9090    MA Thesis    3
Classroom Teaching Experience (3 Credits)
* May be waived if student is pursuing degree on a part-time basis.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ENGL9095    Teaching    3
Free Electives at the 6000-8000 levels (12 Credits)
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
Free Electives    Graduate Course, must be at the 6000-8000 levels    1 - 12
Free Electives    Graduate Course, must be at the 6000-8000 levels    1 - 12
Free Electives    Graduate Course, must be at the 6000-8000 levels    1 - 12
Free Electives    Graduate Course, must be at the 6000-8000 Levels    1 - 12

Cultural Difference and Alterity Requirement (3 Credits)
Literature and/or theory course
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ENGL6081    EXILE IN MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE    3
ENGL7050    Studies in Diasporic Literature and Nationalism    3
ENGL7066    APPROACHES TO DIASPORIC STUDIES    3
ENGL7058    Disability and Literature    3
ENGL7060    American Women Writers: 19th Century    3
ENGL7070    BLACK WOMEN WRITERS AND CRITICISM    3
ENGL7080    Approaches to African American Literature, Film, and Arts    3
ENGL7081    Approaches to American Ethnic Literatures    3
ENGL7083    Ethnic Women Writers    3
ENGL7179    Topics in African American Literature and Culture    3
ENGL7167    Approaches to Caribbean Literatures    3
ENGL7135    Feminism and Writing    3
ENGL7193    Race, Drama, and Performance    3
ENGL8060    American Women Writers II: The Novel    3
ENGL8065    Feminist Poetics    3
ENGL8066    Problems in Diasporic Studies    3
ENGL8080    Problems in African American Literature, Film, & Arts    3
ENGL8092    Black Writers, Modernism & Postmodernism    3
ENGL8167    Problems in Caribbean Literatures    4

Historical Requirement (9 Credits)
Three Courses in Literature, at least 1 pre-1900 and 1 post-1900
Pre-1900 Literature Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ENGL6006    CHAUCER    3
ENGL7051    APPROACHES TO SEVENTEENTH CENTURY LITERATURE    3
ENGL7052    Approaches to American Romanticism    3
ENGL7055    APPROACHES TO 18TH CENTURY LITERATURE I    4
ENGL7071    APPROACHES TO VICTORIAN LITERATURE    3
ENGL7137    Approaches to Early Modern Studies    3
ENGL7142    Renaissance Drama to 1640    3
ENGL7148    Shakespeare Survey    3
ENGL7154    The History of the Novel    3
ENGL7165    Approaches to Romantic Literature I    3
ENGL7166    Approaches to Romantic Literature II    3
ENGL8048    Problems in Shakespeare    3
ENGL7176    Approaches to Biblical Literature    3
ENGL8054    Problems in American Realism and Naturalism    3
ENGL8071    Problems in Victorian Literature    3
Post-1900 Literature Course
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ENGL6081    EXILE IN MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE    3
ENGL7006    APPROACHES TO LITERARY THEORY    3
ENGL7050    Studies in Diasporic Literature and Nationalism    3
ENGL7056    20th Century American Poetry    3
ENGL7058    Disability and Literature    3
ENGL7060    American Women Writers: 19th Century    3
ENGL7065    Approaches to American Drama    3
ENGL7066    APPROACHES TO DIASPORIC STUDIES    3
ENGL7067    Approaches to Film Studies    3
ENGL7068    APPROACHES TO ANGLOPHONE LITERATURES AND CRITICISM    3
ENGL7069    Approaches to Media Studies    3
ENGL7070    BLACK WOMEN WRITERS AND CRITICISM    3
ENGL7075    Introduction to Digital Humanities    3
ENGL7076    Poetics    3
ENGL7078    Narrative Theory    3
ENGL7083    Ethnic Women Writers    3
ENGL7090    MODERN BRITISH FICTION    4
ENGL7091    Contemporary American Fiction    3
ENGL7129    Gender, Sexuality, and Culture    3
ENGL7096    Theories of Drama, Performance, and Performativity    3
ENGL7147    Theorizing Authorship    3
ENGL7154    The History of the Novel    3
ENGL7155    Theories of Fiction    3
ENGL7156    Theorizing the Short Story    3
ENGL7160    Approaches to Cultural Studies    3
ENGL7167    Approaches to Caribbean Literatures    3
ENGL7180    Approaches to Modernism    3
ENGL7181    Modern Poetry    3
ENGL7190    Contemporary Drama and Performance    3
ENGL7193    Race, Drama, and Performance    3
ENGL8006    Problems in Literary Theory    3
ENGL8013    Psychoanalytic Theory and Criticism    3
ENGL8020    International Modernism    3
ENGL8039    Digital Humanities and English Studies    3
ENGL8048    Problems in Shakespeare    3
ENGL8055    Problems in Modern Criticism    3
ENGL8060    American Women Writers II: The Novel    3
ENGL8065    Feminist Poetics    3
ENGL8066    Problems in Diasporic Studies    3
ENGL8067    Problems in Film Studies    3
ENGL8068    Problems in Anglophone Literatures and Criticism    3
ENGL8080    Problems in African American Literature, Film, & Arts    3
ENGL8082    The Writings of Joseph Conrad: His Modernist and Postcolonial Legacies    3
ENGL8092    Black Writers, Modernism & Postmodernism    3
ENGL8095    Contemporary American Fiction    3
 

NULL

Admission Requirements

Step One: Online Application

https://grad.catalyst.uc.edu/apply

You will be required to submit the following materials as part of the Online Application:

1. Letter of Intent: state academic goals and professional objectives (1-2 pages double spaced)
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Writing samples (combine all samples into one document):
   • Literature Track Only
     • Critical writing sample - a literary analysis or research paper totaling 20 pages
   • Creative Writing Track Only:
     • Creative writing sample - a chapter of a novel, two short stories, pages of poetry, or an act of a play totaling 15 to 20 pages
     • Critical writing sample - a literary analysis or a research paper totaling 10-15 pages
   • Professional Writing and Editing Track:
     • Two substantial pieces of expository writing, 15 to 20 pages each (one of which is academic, if possible) or several shorter pieces (such as articles, reports, or instructions)
4. Unofficial transcripts from all universities and/or colleges attended are submitted in the Online Application system.

Step Two: Required Supplementary Materials

1. Three letters of recommendation (no form required): Recommenders will submit letters through the Online Application system.
2. GRE General Test Scores: Must be reported directly from GRE to the University of Cincinnati. Use CEEB code 1833.
3. Proof of English Proficiency is required of all applicants whose native language is not English.

All applications are given careful and individual review. In some cases, students who do not meet the required GPAs and GRE scores may be admitted.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. BA in English is preferred, but not required.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.5
• Minimum GRE scores:
  • Verbal: 600
  • Analytical: 5.0

Tuition fee-2.5 years$90,000