MA in English Language & Literatures
Whether your passion is teaching, writing, research, or publishing, you’ll build a strong career foundation with the Master of Arts in English Language and Literatures Program at Mills. You’ll thrive with personal mentorship from Mills faculty as you save time and money by completing your master’s degree in just one year. Our innovative program combines traditional classes, individual mentoring, and graduate labs curated to complement your literature classes. Expanding online offerings allow you to attend class on your schedule during summer and January terms.
About the Program
The one-year master of arts (MA) in English language and literatures is designed to develop your critical writing and scholarly research skills in the context of your unique goals. You’ll work closely and collaboratively with our faculty of renowned scholars to choose a course of study and develop a final thesis project that is a sustained piece of scholarly research. Students who enroll full time can complete the degree requirements in just one year by taking courses in fall, spring, and over the summer and January terms. You can begin the program in either summer or fall. Part-time study options are also possible, but may extend the total length of your program.
Our program is defined by rigorous mentorship at every stage. We are uniquely skilled at training students in the pedagogy of teaching writing. Our flagship pedagogy course, Theories and Strategies of Teaching Writing, includes field work at local community colleges where you will connect with our wide network of teachers. Paid graduate assistantships on campus provide invaluable classroom and tutoring experience as you work alongside and are mentored by Mills writing faculty. Coupled with theoretical readings and discussion, this practical experience will prepare you for—or deepen—your teaching career.
Alumnae from our English master's program go on to part- and full-time positions as professors at both community colleges and four-year institutions. With the active support of our faculty throughout the application process, many apply for and are accepted to top-tier PhD programs with full financial support. Others teach high school or have embarked on rewarding careers in critical and technical writing, media, publishing, editing, and content curation across various fields and platforms.
Along with part-time graduate assistantships, all MA students are encouraged to apply for community collaborator positions, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through We Are The Voices. Each year a cohort of collaborators are mentored as they propose, conceptualize, and implement a project, often pedagogical, that explores the transformative power of literature in East Bay communities. Learn more about our special funding opportunities for English Literatures and Languages graduate students.
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