The Master of Education degree in English is designed to prepare students for continuing graduate study in English or related fields and to develop in students a substantial understanding of the subject matter of English (language, literature and composition) and related educational theory (philosophy, psychology and research). These understandings are intended to lead toward increased competence in teaching and curriculum development.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is open to those applicants who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with an undergrad major in English, or by special permission. Applicants must submit a sample of scholarly work (an 8-15-page critical or research paper recently prepared).

After reviewing all application documents, the graduate program coordinator may recommend unqualified admission or probational admission. If the department recommends probational admission, the conditions shall be clearly stipulated (e.g., the successful completion of a designated course (or courses) either at the graduate or undergraduate level).

Students applying for admission to the M.Ed. degree must be aware that the M.Ed. degree does not confer teaching certification. Hence, students who do not already have English certification when they apply to this program may have to complete various undergraduate courses if they wish to receive that certification. Students with this degree are qualified to teach English at community colleges. The M.Ed. serves as a complement to secondary English teachers’ professional development.

Degree Candidacy

Admission to degree candidacy requires successful completion of 12-15 s.h. of departmentally approved graduate coursework with an overall B average. This coursework should include at least 9 s.h. at Millersville University. Students need to complete ENGL 614 The Professon of English Studies and the M.Ed. professional core in order to achieve degree candidacy. A student who accumulates a maximum of 21 s.h. of graduate coursework and whose grade average falls below a B will be dropped from the degree program.

Upon completion of 18 s.h. of graduate coursework, a student must apply and be admitted to degree candidacy, after which he/she should, in consultation with the graduate program coordinator, develop a program which lists the requirements needed to complete the degree program.