The Master's Degree in Literature. A separate master of arts degree program is intended for students whose aim is to deepen and expand their literary/critical training and to prepare for entry into a Ph.D. program, usually at another institution. Priority for admission is given to students interested in underrepresented areas of study within the Literature Department’s offerings, such as the non-English language literatures and, more broadly, critical theory.

The M.A. program requirements may not be completed in less than one year; the maximum time to obtain a degree is two years.