College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > English > Combined Degree Program

Combined Degree Program

The English Department offers combined bachelor’s + master’s degree programs that allow selected students to complete both BA and the MA degrees in a single program. Full-time students are able to complete the program in approximately five years.

Students apply to this program in the last quarter of their junior-year status; interested students should meet with the director of the program. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in English and 3.30 overall. For a full list of requirements and programs, see the University Catalog.

Students in this program take 12 graduate credit hours in their senior year; these graduate courses apply toward both undergraduate and graduate English requirements.

The BA/MAWP is available to English majors with concentrations in either Creative Writing or Literary Studies. Applicants must be English majors in their junior year (between 88 and 138 quarter hours).  Interested students should contact the Combined Degree Coordinator for application deadlines, which vary by quarter.

Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in English and 3.30 overall, and should have completed ENG/HON 101: Introduction to Literature, ENG 201: Introduction to Creative Writing, and two creative-writing workshops beyond English 201. Students who are in the process of completing these requirements during the quarter of application may be conditionally admitted pending successful completion of the courses.

Applicants should complete the Graduate Combined Degree Online Application. In addition, the application requires a one-page statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample which should be submitted within the online application. The sample must consist of approximately 15 pages of creative writing submitted for an English course or courses, with the instructor’s comments.

The Combined Degree Coordinator is Professor Rebecca Johns-Trissler. Please contact Professor Johns-Trissler for further information.

The BA/MALP is available to English majors with concentrations in either Creative Writing or Literary Studies. Applicants must be English majors in their junior year (between 88 and 131 quarter hours). The deadline for applications is March 15 of the junior year (if applying to begin the program during the following Autumn quarter). Those applying to begin the program during either a Winter or Spring quarter should consult with the Combined Degree Coordinator to set up an appropriate alternative deadline.

Applicants must be English majors, have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in English and 3.30 overall, and have completed a minimum of four English literature courses, two of which must be core classes, and at least one of the four should be at the 300-level. Students who are in the process of completing these requirements during the quarter of application may be conditionally admitted pending successful completion of the courses.

Applicants should complete the Graduate Combined Degree Online Application. The application requires a one-page statement of purpose and a writing sample which should be uploaded into your application. The sample must be a copy of a paper submitted for an English course, with the instructor's comments on it. 

Applicants are advised to consult with the Combined Degree Coordinator, Professor Megan Heffernan, before submitting the application.

Successful applicants will be notified by April 15 and should then consult the Combined Degree Coordinator about their autumn class schedules.

Students interested in the program should consult Dr. Carolyn Goffman, TEACH Program Advisor for English, or see the University Catalog.