Bachelor’s-to-Master’s in English
Bachelor’s-to-master’s programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. The BA-to-MA program in English is highly selective and allows exceptional students to complete some coursework toward the MA in English while enrolled as undergraduates. The program may lead to enhanced career employment opportunities, professional training, or doctoral studies. BU English MAs have successfully pursued a variety of public, private, and not-for-profit career paths, including employment in teaching, not-for-profit administration, publishing, writing, research, and technology.
Students in this bachelor’s-to-master’s program must complete all bachelor’s degree requirements before enrolling as master’s students, although they may take graduate courses while enrolled as undergraduates. Students must register for and earn a minimum of 24 units while enrolled as master’s students. Students may apply up to 8 units (500 level or above) from the undergraduate degree to the master’s degree, subject to any conditions described below. For this bachelor’s-to-master’s program, the bachelor’s degree is conferred by the College of Arts & Sciences and the master’s degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Students should consult with the Financial Assistance office to learn how entrance into this bachelor’s-to-master’s program might impact their financial aid.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing this BA-to-MA program demonstrate extensive critical knowledge of literatures written in English; advanced interpretive, writing, and oral communication skills; proficiency in theoretical and methodical approaches to literary study; and sustained engagement with research projects.
Specifically, on completing the BA in English, students are expected to demonstrate:
- A critical understanding of English and American literary culture and its traditions.
- A critical understanding of at least one area of literary study outside of the English and American canons.
- Proficiency in written literary analysis, interpretation, and research.
- Proficiency in the oral discussion of literature.
- A deepened understanding of literary culture through study abroad, if that is feasible.
On completing the MA in English, students are expected to:
- Demonstrate advanced research and writing skills, including an ability to work productively with the critical literature and perform original critical analysis.
- Demonstrate either a broad knowledge of literature, theory, and research across several subdisciplines in the field or an in-depth knowledge of one area of expertise.
- Follow ethical guidelines for work in the field.
- Write and speak effectively to professional and lay audiences about issues in the field.
Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for the BA in English and all the requirements for the MA in English.
Students may apply up to 8 units from the undergraduate degree toward the master’s degree. However, at most one course may be applied toward both the 10 courses required for the undergraduate major and the MA degree requirements. Students who do not maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in graduate courses they take while undergraduates must petition to be allowed to continue in the BA-to-MA program in English.
Admission
Information about application requirements and deadlines for bachelor’s-to-master’s programs can be found at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs web page.
Applications for the BA-to-MA program must be received by March 1 of the sophomore or junior year. Note that this deadline supersedes the later deadline listed on BU’s general Bachelor’s-to-Master’s application website. Also note that the English Department has no fall admission process for the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s program. If the application does not meet the March 1 deadline, a Request for Waiver of Application Deadline must be completed and signed by the department chairperson and submitted with an application. Decisions are typically made by the end of March before students register for fall courses.
Applicants must have completed AT LEAST six English courses, including AT LEAST three courses at the 300 level or above, by the time of application. They must have received a GPA of 3.7 or above in these courses. Applicants must also have an overall GPA of 3.0 to be considered for the program. Applicants must include the BU transcript, two faculty recommendation letters, a writing sample (10 pages, usually drawn from previous coursework), a plan of study, and a personal statement describing the applicant’s interest in the program.
A link to the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s application portal can be found here.
