Dear Book Lover,

If you want to broaden your understanding of literature, to delve deeper into those works through the application of cutting edge literary criticism, and to enhance your own writing and research skills in the process, all within the context of a close-knit department that honors Christian values, La Sierra University is the school for you. Whether you are seeking to enhance your teaching career with an MA degree, or you are contemplating going on for your PhD, the MA in English program offered at La Sierra University can prepare you to reach your goals.

LSU's Masters in English program is designed to give you broad exposure to the various periods of British and American literature, with additional required classes in research methods, literary criticism, literature and the Bible, and writing. The 12-15 classes required for the degree (depending on the number of your undergraduate literary courses) can usually be completed in two years of full time study by taking two classes per quarter. However, part-time students, who often are also full-time teachers at area schools, can also successfully complete the program.

We can also offer our full-time graduate students the experience of teaching at the college level. If you receive a teaching assistantship, you will teach one class of college writing per quarter under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Brotton, director of the writing program and Dr. Mary Wilson, our department chair. In exchange for teaching, you will receive remuneration that can offset about 75% of your tuition costs for the program.  Upon graduation you will have, not only your Masters degree, but also significant teaching experience to add to your resume.

As a means of enhancing our students’ exposure to the practices of graduate level research, we began hosting an annual graduate humanities conference on campus in 2009, called Natures, which attracts MA and PhD scholars from across the spectrum of the humanities and across the region and country. Our students read papers they’ve written at this conference on a broad range of topics, along side their peers from these other institutions. In addition every year a faculty scholar is invited to address the conference attendees on the topic of their research and academic life generally. Read more about Natures by clicking here.

Thank you for your interest in the MA in English degree at La Sierra University. Please email (lgerigui@lasierra.edu) or call (951-785-2312) me with questions about how our program can be tailored to meet your needs and interests. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lora Geriguis

Director of Graduate Studies

English and Communication Department