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This page contains answers to frequently asked questions. The questions have been divided into the following categories. If you do not find an answer to your question here, please contact the department office. Application How do I apply to the graduate program in English? What are the deadlines for application? What are the requirements for admission to the English Graduate Program? Can I apply to the graduate program in English if my undergraduate degree is not in English? Are there special requirements for international students? Advisement Do I have to take the courses on my program of study in a particular sequence? How do I change my program of study? Can I take courses that are not on my program of study? Why does my program of study indicate that I must take the comprehensive examination?
ApplicationHow do I apply to the graduate program in English?If you are applying for admission for Fall 2007 or Winter 2008, then you apply to the graduate program in English by applying to the CSULA Graduate Program and indicating "English" as your Major/Program objective on the application. For more information on the application process, visit CSULA Admissions. If you are applying for admission for Spring 2008 or later, click here to see the department's admissions procedure. What are the deadlines for application?Click here to see the filing deadlines listed at the university's Admissions Office. Please note that starting in Summer 2008, the department will consider applications for only Fall, Winter, and Spring admissions. What are the requirements for admission to the English Graduate Program?To be admitted to the English Graduate Program, an applicant must first meet the minimum requirements set by the University for admission to all graduate programs. Click here to see the University's minimum requirements. In addition to meeting these minimum requirements, an applicant must meet the additional requirements of the English Department. If you are applying for admission in Spring 2008 or later, click here to see the English Department's additional requirements. Can I apply to the graduate program in English if my undergraduate degree is not in English?Applicants with undergraduate degrees in fields other than English can apply for admission to the graduate program in English. Such students, however, must complete a 36-unit program of upper division prerequisites (which may include courses previously taken) prior to beginning their graduate work. For more on the 36-unit requirement for non-English B.A. students seeking an M.A. degree in English, click here. Are there special requirements for international students?Click here to see the University's graduate admissions requirements for international students. In addition to meeting the University's minimum requirements for graduate admissions, international students interested in the English Graduate Program need to demonstrate competency in English language and literacy. How do I apply to only the Creative Writing option? or only the Composition, Rhetoric and Language option? or only the Literature option?Applicants can indicate their interest in a specific option by using the space provided on the application for specifying an "option, emphasis, or concentration." However, applicants cannot apply directly to the Creative Writing option. Admission to the Creative Writing option is limited to current students in the English Graduate Program who are in good standing and whose portfolio of creative work has been positively reviewed by the department. Click here for more information on the creative writing portfolio. AdvisementDo I have to take the courses on my program of study in a particular sequence?English 501 and/or English 502 should be taken in the first quarter in which the student is eligible to take 500-level courses. Other than English 501 and 502, however, students can choose to take courses on their program of study in whatever sequence they choose. Also, students do not need to complete their program of study in sequence. In other words, a student does not need to complete all of his or her coursework in Section A (The Required Core) prior to taking courses in Section B (The Required Option Core), and so on. How do I change my program of study?When formally admitted into the graduate program in English, each student in consultation with the graduate adviser sets up a program of study. This program becomes the basis for evaluating the student's eligibility for receiving the degree. Changes in the program of study may be made only with the approval of the graduate adviser and the Dean of Arts and Letters. To make changes in your program of study, make an appointment to meet with the graduate adviser. Can I take courses that are not on my program of study?While students can enroll in courses of interest to them, only those courses listed on the program of study can be counted towards fulfilling the requirements for the Master's degree. If you want the course to be considered as part of your program of study, you must meet with the graduate adviser as soon as possible to request the addition of the course to your program and the deletion of some other course. Please note that a course can not be added to or deleted from a master's degree program after it has been taken. Any change in the master's degree program must be approved in advance by the graduate adviser, the department, and the college graduate dean. Why does my program of study indicate that I must take the comprehensive examination?The comprehensive examination is automatically designated as the culminating experience for all newly admitted students. After making sufficient progress and maintaining a GPA in their program of at least 3.5, students can opt to write a thesis instead of taking the comprehensive examination. To switch to the thesis option, the student must meet with the graduate adviser. Click here for more on the comprehensive examination and the master's thesis.
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