English (MA)

The department does not accept applicants for a Master of Arts degree. All graduate work in English at USC is taken as part of a PhD program, and the MA in English is intended only as a transitional degree in the process of completing requirements for the PhD

A student admitted to the graduate program may choose later to earn a terminal MA degree, or may be invited by the department to attempt a terminal degree. The terminal MA in English may be earned by completing 30 units (normally eight courses) of graduate study in English or in other departments at USC (as approved by the graduate director) with an accumulated GPA of at least 3.0, and by passing the screening procedure. A maximum of 4 units of 590 Directed Research and 4 transfer units may count toward the 30 units minimum required for the MA degree.