Department of English

The English Department’s AB/MA Program allows qualified students to enroll in up to two graduate courses in their senior year, each of which will count toward the undergraduate Major in English. If a student is subsequently admitted to the MA Program, those two courses will also count toward the MA degree.

Students interested in the AB/MA Program should apply at the end of their junior year. The application packet can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. A complete application consists of the Preliminary Application form and Course Information form; a two- to three-page Academic Statement of Purpose addressing the applicant’s intellectual interests, academic and professional objectives, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study; three recommendations from three English Department faculty members who have taught the applicant (at least two of the recommendations should be based on work done in upper-level courses); and a copy of the applicant’s Georgetown transcript (available through the Registrar’s Office). Those students who are accepted into the program may enroll in one English graduate seminar (ENGL 500 and above) each semester of their senior year. In the student’s senior year, he or she will still have to apply to the Graduate School for admission to the Master’s Program (the application deadline is January 3, 2009 for scholarship consideration).

Applications are due by the end of the spring semester; the official deadline is May 4, 2009.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Napolitano.

The Application Process for the AB/MA Program

Preliminary application is normally made in the second semester of the applicant's junior year. The deadline for the 2009-2010 academic year is May 4, 2009.

To apply: Submit the following materials to Jenny Napolitano, Academic Coordinator, in the English Department, 306 New North:

1. the Preliminary Application form and Course Information form;
2. a two- to three-page Academic Statement of Purpose addressing your intellectual interests, academic and professional goals, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study;
3. recommendation forms submitted by three English Department faculty members who have taught you (at least two of the recommendations should be based on work done in upper- level courses);
4. an up-to-date transcript (it may bear the Registrar's notation "Issued Directly to Student").

The names of those undergraduates who will be permitted to enroll in graduate courses will be posted in the English Department office in late August. Acceptance into the AB/ MA program does not constitute or imply acceptance into the Master's Program in English.

Official Application to the Master's Program in English

Official application to the Master's Program in English must be made by early January of the senior year if you wish to be considered for scholarships for the following year. If you are not interested in scholarships, the deadline is in May.

To apply: Review the prospective student information on the Graduate School website. Application may be made online, or you may obtain an application from the Graduate School (302 ICC). You will have to submit:

1. an application form (online);
2. three new letters of recommendation (you may no longer use recommendations for the AB/MA Program);
3. An official GRE score report (the General Test only; the Subject Test in English Literature is not required);
4. a two- to three-page Academic Statement of Purpose addressing your intellectual interests, academic and professional goals, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study;
5. a sample of your critical writing.