Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English Graduate Certificates


Graduate Certificates in English for Post-Baccalaureate non-degree seeking students.

Overview

  • three courses (9 semester hours)
  • can be completed in 2 semesters
  • no independent studies can apply

Application checklist

  • application as post-baccalaureate student
  • signed post-baccalaureate statement (submit to graduate school)
  • official transcripts (submit to graduate school)
  • Bachelor’s degree (submit evidence to graduate school on transcript)
  • letter of interest/essay (500 words) explaining how the certificate will benefit the student (submit to graduate school)
  • GRE not required
  • letters of recommendation not required

Note:  Candidates applying for a certificate program are not applying for admission to the Graduate School.  To enter a graduate program at MSU, a candidate formally would apply to the Graduate School and supply any additional information needed:  as examples, GPA (3.0 required for graduate-school admission), a standardized graduate-test score (GRE, GMAT, et al.), and evidence of required undergraduate background.  Consult catalog for details.

In some cases, based on the coordinator’s concerns with GPA or writing sample, the coordinator could offer conditional acceptance to the certificate program and require specific conditions be met (e.g., the student’s completing an undergraduate leveling course and/or being restricted to taking only one graduate course the first semester enrolled).

A grade of B or better must be earned in any graduate course applied to completing the certificate.  For example, if a student receives a C on her/his first course, to complete the certificate s/he would need to take three additional courses and earn a B for each.  Students can remain in the program (i.e., continue taking classes) as long as they maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Students in their last twelve hours of BA study may apply to register for graduate-level courses (see catalog).  Students who receive authorization to do so may apply to transfer up to six completed graduate-course hours toward the certificate program.  However, they first will need formally to apply for and be accepted into the program. 

Certificate I: Graduate Certificate in English-Professional and Technical Communication


Outcome:  Students will gain knowledge to support an entry-level career in professional or technical communications.  As well, they will learn improved and diversified writing skills: how to compose academic, business, and technical writing; how to create content that meets the needs of different audiences; and how to manage writing projects and work in distributed teams.

Options-Choose Three (online courses):

Certificate II: Graduate Certificate in English-Literary Studies


Outcome:  Students will learn to analyze, interpret, and make connections between literary texts and to describe a broad range of genres, literary movements, and major authors. They also will improve their ability to write about literature, and thus their writing skills in general.

Options-Choose Three (Evening courses and seminars):