Frequently Asked Questions (Graduate Program)

Our M.A. alumni have gone on to distinguished and diverse careers in academia and secondary education, journalism, publishing, writing and editing, law, public relations, nonprofit communications, and other professions that require rigorous critical thought, creativity, and expertise in writing and communication.

We’ve had alumni hired into positions at Huffington Post, NPR, St. Martin’s Press, Harvard Business Review, Amazon, Showtime Networks, George Mason University, University of the District of Columbia, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, MedStar Health, and many more. Read more about our M.A. English Alumni.

In recent years, we’ve placed students into Harvard, NYU, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Northwestern, and Duke—just to name a few.

Starting in Fall 2021, you need to take eight (8) courses and complete a thesis in order to earn the M.A. English degree.

Effective Fall 2021 onward, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores are NOT REQUIRED.

Yes: you can take up to two courses in other programs that enhance your academic interests, e.g. we’ve had students take courses in History (HIST), Communication, Culture & Technology (CCTP), and Government (GOVT).

Yes: you can take courses at neighboring schools within the Washington Consortium Program. Please note, this counts as one of the two courses you are allowed to take outside the English program.

Registration for consortium courses can only occur during the add/drop period via the Consortium Registration Form. It requires that you get the appropriate departmental signatures before it is submitted. The signed and completed form should be submitted to the Program Manager who will send it along to the Graduate School for processing.

We highly recommend that you register for a back-up course at Georgetown while you wait for your consortium registration request to be processed, and to monitor your schedule closely, so that you know when to drop the GU course before the end of the add/drop period in September (fall) or January (spring).

No; however, if you are interested in taking a foreign language course(s), you are allowed to register for one lower-level course per semester numbered up to 350—provided that you’ve both requested and received approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate School provides language scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition for this course; other course materials must be paid for out-of-pocket. Read more about language scholarships on the Graduate School website.

Yes. In the semester before you graduate you are required to take the M.A. Thesis Seminar. This is a preparatory course for the thesis project you will complete independently the following semester with help from your thesis advisor.

Yes; however, the Graduate School puts a cap on the number of hours you may work per week. You can work up to 20 hours/week total in all combined on-campus positions at Georgetown.

Possibly; however, please note that graduate seminar courses are typically scheduled during the work day, Monday through Thursday during the following time blocks:

  • 12:30–3pm
  • 3:30–6pm
  • 6:30–9pm

Do not expect that there will be enough 6:30–9pm courses offered each semester in order to complete the degree within a decelerated 3-year timeframe (which is the maximum number of years a student has to complete the degree once they’ve started the program).

All graduate seminar courses typically take place in the Department of English Conference Room located in New North Hall 311.

In response to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, some or all courses have moved to a hybrid and/or virtual format. Any change to this information will be shared publicly with students by the University administration prior to the start of a semester.

Yes, the Department of English has a designated graduate student lounge with two desktop MAC computers, student mailboxes, bookshelves for personal items, couches, and a desk space. This is located in New North Hall 309.

However, in response to the restrictions cause by the COVID-19 outbreak, the study space in New North Hall is temporarily closed.

Once accepted into the program, every M.A. English student is automatically part of the English Graduate Student Association (EGSA). This group is completely student-run and has an Executive Board, including positions like Chair, Communications, Treasurer, Technology, etc… See EGSA’s website.

Interested in learning more about what it takes to teach? Consider registering for the free (!) Apprenticeship in Teaching Program through the Center for New Designs in Learning & Scholarship (CNDLS). Upon completion of all requirements, a certification will be posted on your transcript.

Work in the Writing Center as a Graduate Writing Center Consultant (by application only).

Work as a Justice Graduate Intern at the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service.