“Reading books is the most glorious pastime that humankind has yet devised.ˮ
— Wisława Szymborska
Literature (M.A.)
M.A. Literature
Program Overview
Texas State University's Master of Arts (M.A.) in Literature program will help students forge a path toward a variety of careers based in reading, writing, and communication. It offers intimate courses, scholarships and fellowships, internship opportunities in research, writing, and teaching, and a welcoming, congenial atmosphere in which to find a literary community. Students can access essential and rare materials at Alkek Library and the Wittliff Collections and interact with renowned visiting scholars and writers.
Course Work
The program typically offers small, seminar-style classes that enroll five to 15 students. Our students have ample opportunities for close interaction with our outstanding faculty. Courses cover a wide range of topics, periods, and genres, from Anglo-Saxon literature to contemporary poetry, drama, fiction, and film. Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis track, depending on their interests and career goals, and may select a minor from other graduate programs including Women and Gender Studies and Diversity Studies.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option Minor required | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.A. | Hours 30 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option Minor required | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Texas State University's M.A. in Literature helps hone your reading, writing, and interpretive skills. Our award-winning faculty members not only conduct innovative research, they are committed to student mentorship and support.
Program Mission
Faculty in the Department of English teach, conduct research in, and advance the discipline of English Studies, including rhetoric and composition, creative writing, technical communication, film and media studies, literature, and language. They prepare undergraduate and graduate students to pursue further education and/or careers; to think, write, and speak clearly; to produce authoritative scholarship and inspiring creative work; to read with pleasure, skill, and understanding; and to appreciate the power and subtlety of discourse in various media.
Career Options
Our master's program offers excellent preparation for a variety of careers that call for outstanding critical thinking and verbal expression, including the law, communications, professional writing, editing, and publishing, and teaching on the secondary, community college, or university level. Graduates have been admitted to more than 50 advanced degree and doctoral programs and have received generous scholarships and fellowships to support their studies.
Program Faculty
Our award-winning graduate faculty's specialties include medieval literature and cultural studies; Renaissance literature and drama; American and British literature of many periods; children's and adolescent literature; Beat poetry; Jewish American literature; Latinx and Chicanx literature; African American literature; Southwestern literature; film and media studies; graphic novels and comics; science fiction and fantasy literature; postcolonial literature and film. Professors have received many teaching and research awards and published hundreds of scholarly books and articles.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority January 15 January 15 Fall - Standard June 15 (*Flexible) June 1 (*Flexible) Spring October 15 (*Flexible) October 1 Summer I April 15 (*Flexible) March 15 Summer II June 1 (*Flexible) No Admission *This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard November 1 October 1 Summer I - Priority January 1 January 1 Summer I - Standard May 1 March 15 Summer II - Priority January 1 No Admission Summer II - Standard June 1 No Admission
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
Fall 2025 Entry
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses.
- Minimum 3.25 GPA in a minimum of 24 hours of undergraduate English, including at least 12 advanced hours. Admission may be available for applicants who do not meet this requirement. See the Conditional Admission section below for details.
- You will be required to take leveling courses if you lack sufficient background course work. Any required leveling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.
Effective Spring 2026 Entry
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses.
- Minimum 3.25 GPA in a minimum of 24 hours of undergraduate English, including at least 12 advanced hours. Admission may be available for applicants who do not meet this requirement. See the Conditional Admission section below for details.
- You will be required to take leveling courses if you lack sufficient background course work. Any required levelling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE is not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
Fall 2025 Entry
- documents are not required
Effective Spring 2026 Entry
- a 250–500-word statement of purpose
- a short writing sample (10-page maximum)
Review important information about documents.
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Conditional Admission
If your English GPA falls between 3.0 and 3.25, please submit the following items in order to be considered for conditional admission*:
- official GRE (general test only) required with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning section
- two letters of recommendation
- writing sample of non-fiction prose, preferably literary analysis
*Conditional admission is not available to applicants who require "F" or "J" visas.