Graduate Programs

Florida Atlantic University at Boca Raton, a diverse community with all of the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan setting, is located three miles from the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The graduate program of the Department of English was nationally ranked by Black Issues in Higher Education (July 14, 2005) as a top African-American and Minority MA degree producer. We offer the MA, MFA, and MAT degrees. Students in the MA elect one of the following areas of concentration: (1) British and American Literature; (2) Creative Writing; (3) Multicultural Literatures and Literacies; and (4) Science Fiction and Fantasy. MFA students specialize in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, pursuing half of their coursework in creative writing workshops and half in literature and theory seminars (Click here for additional program information). The MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching English) program is geared toward students seeking advanced study in English pedagogy.

Graduate Course Offerings, Fall 2009
Graduate Course Offerings, Summer 2009
Graduate Faculty listing
MFA Program in Creative Writing Website
Research Links
Coastlines - This website supplements our annual publication, Coastlines, the literary magazine featuring the creative writing and artwork of Florida Atlantic University students.

Forms:

Plan of Study
Revision to the Plan of Study
Thesis Topic Approval
Creative Writing MFA Thesis Document
Student Advisement Checklist: Literature/Theory
Student Advisement Checklist: Creative Writing
Student Advisement Checklist: MAT Program

Application Deadlines:

Deadline for Fall Admission: March 1 (all application materials must be received in the English department by this date for full consideration with teaching assistantship)

Deadline for Summer Admission: March 1

Deadline for Spring Admission: November 1

Minimum Admission Requirements:

• At least a 3.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale)
• A Graduate Record Exam score of 1,000 combined on the verbal and quantitative or analytical
• Application Form
• Official Transcripts
• Copy of General GRE Scores

Applicants should be aware that meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program is competitive, and the Department considers the applicant's total record in making admissions decisions. While an undergraduate degree in English is not required, adequate preparation toward graduate study must be demonstrated. The Department considers the applicant's total record. Application information and instructions can be obtained from the English Department or from the FAU website.

Teaching Assistantships:

Assistantships offer a stipend of $9,000 per year (beginning Fall 2006) for teaching two courses each term, with an 80% tuition waiver. A limited number of assistantships with a stipend of $12,000 per year and the tuition waiver, as well as the Lawrence Sanders Fellowship ($15,000 per year and the tuition waiver), are also available on a competitive basis. Assignments typically involve teaching first year writing courses, but might include tutorial work at the University Center for Excellence in Writing (UCEW) and working as research assistants to department faculty.

Send the following to the English Department:

• Copy of completed application form (also send to Office of Graduate Admissions)
• Official Transcripts (also send to Office of Graduate Admissions)
• General GRE scores (also send to Office of Graduate Admissions)
• A statement of purpose (3-4 pages double-spaced) outlining preparation for graduate study. The statement should also indicate your interest in being considered for a teaching assistantship (if applicable)
• Writing sample (for literature program this should be a critical essay)
• Two letters of recommendation using the required form (we prefer letters of recommendation from English professors)

Send the following to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• application
• transcripts
• General GRE scores

Additional information:
Andrew Furman, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English ( afurman@fau.edu )