English

The English department at Salem State offers a diverse and enthusiastic faculty ready to fully engage your intellect and imagination, with a broad and innovative array of classes, concentrations in areas such as film studies, creative writing, professional writing, and literature, and a unique and inspiring setting in beautiful and historic Salem, MA. Classes are small and student-focused, and are led by a faculty at the forefront of their respective fields. English majors at Salem State go on to successful careers in education, publishing, business, public service. Most importantly, a degree in English from Salem State prepares students to think critically and creatively about their role in a rapidly changing cultural and professional environment.

Degree Programs

Undergraduate and Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees

  • English

    BA
    Undergraduate

    The English department at Salem State offers a diverse and enthusiastic faculty ready to fully engage your intellect and imagination, with a broad and innovative array of classes, concentrations in areas such as film studies, creative writing, professional writing, and literature, and a unique and inspiring setting in beautiful and historic Salem, MA. Classes are small and student-focused, and are led by a faculty at the forefront of their respective fields. English majors at Salem State go on to successful careers in education, publishing, business, and public service. Most importantly, a degree in English from Salem State prepares students to think critically and creatively about their role in a rapidly changing cultural and professional environment.

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    Program Requirements

  • English, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

    BA/MATESOL
    Combined Undergraduate + Graduate

    This combined 4+1 program allows the English major who is interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages to earn both degrees in five years. Students will take graduate credits as part of their undergraduate English major and will have a minor in educational studies that also incorporates graduate coursework. Students who earn the MATESOL can pursue both the licensure track which prepares students to teaching in K-12 publish schools in Massachusetts, and the non-licensure track will prepare you to teach in adult, overseas, college or community settings. Students should apply after earning between 45 and 90 undergraduate credits.

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    Program Requirements

  • English

    BA/MA
    Combined Undergraduate + Graduate

    English majors bring highly-valued critical thinking and communication skills to the workplace. The MA degree is increasingly significant in demonstrating advanced mastery and ability in critical analysis and creative thinking. With our combined degree, students can earn a BA+MA in five years.

    Learn more about the BA/MA in English.

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    Program Requirements

  • English, Middle/High School Teacher Prep

    BA/M.Ed
    Combined Undergraduate + Graduate

    If you see yourself as a middle or high school English teacher, the dual degree 4+1 program is the way to get there. Major in English and minor in education to reach your teaching goals.

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    Program Requirements

Minors and Concentrations

Graduate Degrees

  • English

    MA
    Graduate

    The master of arts in English offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of critical and creative approaches to language and literature. Students work closely with faculty at the forefront of a changing intellectual and cultural landscape in English and American Literature as well as in comparative literature, creative and professional writing, post-colonial studies, women’s and gender studies, holocaust and genocide studies, digital studies, and writing and rhetoric studies. Courses such as American Romanticism, Native American Literature, and Literature of the Sea explore the literatures of New England. Internships in Digital Humanities and College Pedagogy offer work experience and direct career preparation. For educators, successful completion of this program leads to the fulfillment of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requirements for professional licensure to teach English at the secondary level.

    Learn more about the MA in English.

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    Program Requirements

  • English, Master of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching

    MA/MAT
    Graduate

    The Master of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching English offers students a balanced program of reflection and research in principles and practices for instruction of English language and literature with particular emphasis upon contemporary methodology. It builds additional competence in the subject area of English. Successful completion of the program leads to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts academic requirements for licensure to teach English at the secondary level. It also prepares students for advanced studies in literature at the doctoral level.

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    Program Requirements

Certificates and Licensure Programs

  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

    Certificate
    Graduate

    The graduate certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages is designed to prepare students to teach in a variety of community, international, workplace, and adult settings. Whether you are beginning your career in TESOL or looking to make a difference in the lives of English learners, this flexible 15-credit program can be tailored to help you meet your goals.

    Learn more about the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Digital Studies

    Certificate
    Graduate

    Innovative, flexible and practical for professionals and academics in almost any discipline, the graduate certificate in digital studies trains educators and practitioners in the humanities and sciences in the skills needed to enter and succeed in fields such as digital archiving and stewardship, museum and library curation, cultural heritage preservation, and public history.

    Learn more about the Certificate in Digital Studies.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Writing and Rhetoric

    Certificate
    Graduate

    The Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric program is designed for current and future teachers of writing whose careers depend upon a strong foundation in literacy and keen rhetorical analysis. Our courses give students a thorough introduction to Writing and Rhetoric as a scholarly field as well as hands-on, administrative and teaching experience through our internship program. The strengths of our program include areas such as digital writing, multilingual writing, and writing center/writing program administration. The program is unique in that it offers students rich opportunities for theory, practice, research, and internships with mentoring from experienced writing program administrators and faculty. Salem State University’s Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric is the only certificate program of its kind in Massachusetts. This program is ideal for current secondary education teachers across the disciplines, community college and first year writing teachers, and students interested in pursuing further graduate studies in departments of English.

    Learn more about the Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • TESOL, Licensure Only

    Licensure
    Graduate

    This initial licensure only program in TESOL allows students to obtain a PK-6 or 5-12 Massachusetts teacher educator license in TESOL without pursuing the entire master's degree. It is designed for those who already have a master's degree in another field, or for those who have another initial or professional license in ESL.

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    Program Requirements

Resources

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