The MA in English offers students the chance to experience the challenges and expectations of graduate school in a collegial and stimulating environment. 

The program also effectively prepares students for PhD programs in English literature and may serve as a conduit to our own PhD in English, which is unique in Canada for its commitment to fusing archival investigation in manuscript, print, and digital cultures with theoretical inquiry into literary and social production. 

For those who do not want to pursue a PhD, the MA degree gives a competitive edge in the job market, whether in business, the government, or the non-profit sector––in areas as diverse as publishing, human resources, communications, public relations, and marketing. 

It also gives an academic advantage to students applying for further professional qualifications and training in teaching, journalism, law, and library science.

Carleton University's MA program addresses questions about:

• What do people understand by the idea of literature in different times and places, and why does it matter?
• The power of literature to forge communities and become a force for change.
• How these issues are influenced by broader legal, technological, political and social contexts.

This MA program offers three streams: thesis, research essay, or coursework. 

The degree is typically completed through coursework within three consecutive terms over a period of twelve months.

Graduate students have the opportunity to work with faculty members who conduct award-winning research in diverse fields from the Medieval period to the present.

• Academic/Official Transcripts
• Language Proficiency (If Applicable)
• Passport or Visa Documents
• Letters of Reference (2 required)
• Statement of Intent (1 required)
• Writing Sample (1 required)

• The normal admission requirement for the master's program is a B.A. (Honours) (or the equivalent) in English language and literature, with at least a high Honours standing (normally B+ or better).

Qualifying-Year Program:

• Applicants who hold a general (3-year) B.A. degree with at least a high Honours standing (normally B+), with a major in English language and literature or a related discipline, may be admitted to the qualifying-year program.
• Normally, these students will be required to complete 4.0 or 5.0 credits in English, as determined by the department, and to maintain a high Honours standing (normally B+) before being considered for admission into the master's program.