Department of English College of Arts and Sciences Seton Hall University

Programs of Study

The Department of English at Seton Hall University offers a Master of Arts degree program with three options: literature, writing, and creative writing. The program requires 30 credits, with at least 6 credits at the 7000 level. All students are required to take the 12 credit "hub," which includes ENGL 6010: Introduction to Literary Research; two literature electives (one American, one British); and ENGL 7011: Studies in Criticism. Students then follow a "spoke" of 18 credits (in literature, writing, or creative writing); students in the literature and creative writing spokes generally write a thesis.

Recent courses include the Early American Grotesque, Postcolonial Women Writers, Transforming the Body in Medieval Literature, American Literature 1900-1945, American Renaissance, Shakespeare, Studies in Victorian Literature, Modern Rhetoric and Writing, Fiction Workshop, Poetry Workshop, Advanced Creative Writing, Renaissance Literature, and Composition Workshop.

The master's program requires all students to pass a foreign language translation exam (demonstrating reading knowledge) or take the Rapid Reading and Translation course. Additionally, all students take a comprehensive exam, generally in their last semester.

The literature spoke provides a good basis for students interested in continuing in a doctoral program. Students have recently gone on to Ph.D. programs at the University of Tulsa; the University of California, Riverside; Temple University; University of Cincinnati; Case Western Reserve University; Drew University; Lehigh University; and the University of Maryland. The literature spoke is also well suited to secondary-school English teachers.

The writing spoke is particularly attractive to secondary school teachers and students who are interested in teaching at two-year colleges; many students who seek careers in editing and publishing also select this option. Students pursuing this spoke have gone on to careers in medical editing, public relations, educational publishing, and teaching.

The creative writing spoke is designed for students interested in becoming writers, teaching creative writing, or hoping to pursue an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing. Students have recently gone on to programs at The New School, CUNY, Old Dominion University, and George Mason University.

Further information is available online at http://www.shu.edu/academics/artci/ma-english/index.cfm.

Research Facilities

Students have access to the Seton Hall Library as well as libraries at area colleges and the many important research facilities in New York City. Seton Hall's Walsh Library is a pioneer in electronic research facilities, making numerous online databases and resources available both on and off campus.

The Language Resource Center (LRC) in the College of Arts and Sciences houses the theater-style Screening Room and a state-of-the-art computer workstation area. All computers have keyboards installed in a number of languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese, and have Internet access, video recording and editing software, and connections to a VCR/DVD combo for viewing. The LRC provides DVDs, videos, and other media in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, and other languages and offers self-paced language learning materials for Seton Hall community members who wish to study a language on their own.

Financial Aid

The teaching assistantship program allows Master of Arts students to teach freshman English courses. Teaching assistants receive extensive training during the summer. They then teach two sections of First-Year Writing each semester. The teaching assistantships cover tuition (but not fees) and provide an additional stipend of $8500 for the academic year. Teaching assistants are also given a laptop computer and participate in Seton Hall's Mobile Computing program, which brings information technology into the classroom. Students should contact the Department of English for information about applying for one of these positions.

Graduate assistantships are also available through the Office of Graduate Programs (http://www.shu.edu/applying/graduate/grad-finaid.cfm). Graduate assistants work in a variety of campus positions and receive tuition remission and a stipend.

Cost of Study

In 2012-2013, tuition is $1,033 per credit. Full-time students pay $305 per semester in University and technology fees; part-time students pay $185.

Living and Housing Costs

Housing and living costs in South Orange and surrounding towns are comparable to most suburban cities, with studio and one-bedroom apartments renting for $750 to $1000 per month.

Student Group

The master's program enrolls approximately 30 students. Eight students receive teaching assistantships, which cover tuition and provide a stipend. Two students receive half-teaching assistantships, which cover half the student's tuition and provide a smaller stipend. About half of the program's students are enrolled part-time. Entering classes consist of 12 to 18 students.

Location

Seton Hall University is located in the Village of South Orange, New Jersey, only 14 miles (or a 30-minute direct train ride) from New York City. The University's proximity to New York City allows students to take advantage of all the city has to offer while living in a charming suburban area.

The University and The Department

For more than 150 years, Seton Hall University has been a catalyst for leadership, developing the whole student, mind, heart and spirit. Seton Hall combines the resources of a large university with the personal attention of a small liberal arts college. Its attractive suburban campus is only 14 miles by train, bus or car to New York City, with the wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities the city offers. Seton Hall is a Catholic university that embraces students of all races and religions, challenging each other to better the world through integrity, compassion, and a commitment to serving others.

The Department of English's faculty members are distinguished by their scholarship and their love of teaching. Senior faculty members contribute their years of commitment to excellent teaching, while the junior faculty members--a growing number from eminent graduate programs across the country--bring energy, enthusiasm, and new areas of expertise to their classes. Faculty members regularly publish articles and books and take part in local, regional, and international conferences. Students are encouraged to join faculty members at conferences and to participate in them, as well. The Department is active in its graduate students' professional development, sponsoring seminars for students who are interested in continuing their study in doctoral programs; publishing their work, both creative and scholarly; or exploring the academic job market.

Applying

Students who have completed 18 credits or more of undergraduate study in English (at least six semester-long courses) are eligible to apply to this program, which seeks to provide them with a comprehensive background in English and literature. For applications, students should visit http://www.shu.edu/academics/artsci/apply-graduate.cfm.

Students must submit the general Seton Hall University Graduate Application, which includes three letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal statementand official, sealed copies of transcripts from ALL higher education institutions that you have attended. All applicants must take the GRE General Test before an admissions decision can be made. Candidates applying for a teaching assistantship should also submit the TA application, a statement of interest in the position, and a writing sample by March 15 of their application year. The Graduate Application should be returned to the Office of Graduate Programs or submitted online; however, the TA application should be sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079.

THE GRADUATE FACULTY AND THEIR RESEARCH

Simone James Alexander, Ph.D., Rutgers. Caribbean literature, African American literature, postcolonial literature.

Mary McAleerBalkun, Ph.D., NYU. Early American literature, African American literature, women's studies.

Martha C. Carpentier, Ph.D., Fordham.Modern British literature, feminist theory.

Jonathan Farina, Ph.D., NYU. Nineteenth-century literature, the novel.

Karen Bloom Gevirtz, Ph.D., Emory.Eighteenth-century literature, women's studies, the rise of the novel.

Jeffrey Gray, Ph.D., California, Riverside. Modern and contemporary poetry, post-colonial literature, literary theory.

Chrysanthy M. Grieco, Ph.D., Drew. Shakespeare, drama, nineteenth-century literature.

Edmund Jones, Ph.D., NYU. Composition theory.

James R. Lindroth, Ph.D., NYU. American literature, 1900-present; film studies.

Nathan Oates, PhD., Missouri-Columbia.Fiction, American literature.

Kelly Shea, Ph.D., Penn State.Creative nonfiction, composition theory.

Donovan Sherman, Ph.D., University of California -- Irvine. Shakespeare, Renaissance literature, drama.

Mark Svenvold, M.F.A., Iowa. Poetry, creative non-fiction.

John Wargacki, Ph.D., NYU. Hart Crane, American poetry and literature in spirituality.

Angela Jane Weisl, Ph.D., Columbia.Chaucer, medieval literature, women's studies.

Correspondence and Information

Seton Hall University

Dr. Angela Weisl, Director of Graduate Studies

Department of English

College of Arts and Sciences

Fahy Hall, Room 362

400 South Orange Avenue

South Orange, New Jersey 07079

Telephone: 973-275-5889

Fax: 973-761-9453

Email: angela.weisl@shu.edu

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• English Master of Arts (MA) [writing]
  Master of Arts (MA) [literature]

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 11
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees 1, Required and Required
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied32
• Accepted29
• Acceptance Rate90%
• Enrolled17
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline July 1st July 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline November 1st November 1st Yes
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE, minimum of 21 undergraduate credits in English
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableFederal Work-Study, Graduate Assistantships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students43
• Female Percentage70%
• Male Percentage30%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students43
• Part-time Percentage47%
• Full-time Percentage53%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American5%
• White / Caucasian76%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian2%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown17%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty15
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Female Percentage53%
• Male Percentage47%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchThe essay, modern poetry, the novel, medieval poetry, Renaissance drama
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported