ALL PROGRAMS | College of Arts & Sciences Programs

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Full-time students can complete the B.A. and M.A. programs in five years.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Timeline View Admissions Requirements

English, B.A./M.A.

Students interested in earning a bachelor's and master's in English at Georgia State University can save time and tuition dollars through the dual-degree program. Qualified, full-time students can complete both programs in just five years. The accelerated path to a graduate degree affords graduates an advantage in competitive career fields and a richer grasp of their chosen specialty. The dual-degree program also offers students interested in earning a Ph.D. intensive preparation for doctoral study.

The department offers two dual-degree programs:

— Dual B.A./M.A. in Literary Studies
— Dual B.A./M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition

Both programs allow English majors to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.

 

Program Highlights

Take Advantage of Unique Learning Opportunities

  • Fifth-year students admitted to the M.A. can apply for paid appointments as tutors in the university’s Writing Studio, housed in the English department.
  • The English department offers hands-on experience in literary editing and publishing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students work with the editors of our celebrated literary magazine, Five Points.
  • The dual degree program can be combined with our regular study abroad course offerings as well as the internship program in English.
  • Georgia State English graduates have advanced to prestigious doctoral programs throughout the country, including Yale, UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, and many others.

Program Details

Incoming bachelor’s students will apply through Undergraduate Admissions. After acceptance to Georgia State, students interested in a dual-degree program should discuss the requirements for eligibility with the dual-degree program coordinator at the start of their sophomore year.

If you’re a senior in high school or if you graduated from high school within the last two years, you’ll apply to begin your bachelor’s degree program using Georgia State’s Common Application.

Find out more about applying.

International students: International applicants are those students who are in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.), students who are living outside the U.S. and who will require an F-1 visa to study in the United States, students who are in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status, but have not yet received the Permanent Residency card or students who have been educated outside the U.S.

Learn more about the application process.

Transfer students: If you’re already in college but need a change, transferring to Georgia State can provide you with the opportunities you need to succeed — in school and after graduation.

Learn more about transferring to Georgia State.


Dual-Degree Program Eligibility

The Dual B.A./M.A. Program in English is available to undergraduate majors who maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Email [email protected] to discuss eligibility. If eligible, you’ll be provided the dual-degree program electronic application to fill out. Decisions are typically emailed within 10 business days.

Students accepted into dual undergraduate/graduate programs must work with the program graduate director each term to develop a plan for taking graduate courses during their senior year (or earlier for specific programs) while still completing their final semesters of bachelor’s work.

Acceptance into the dual-degree program does not constitute admission to the graduate degree program. Admission to the graduate program occurs in the senior year of undergraduate study and is contingent upon 1) successful completion of the bachelor’s degree, 2) performance in the graduate-level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree, and 3) meeting the other admission requirements of the specific program.

Dual Degree enrollment provides a range of benefits including the waiving of the GRE requirement and a graduate admission application fee when applying to the graduate program. Learn more about our dual degree program .

Students accepted into dual undergraduate/graduate programs must work with the program graduate director each term to develop a plan for taking graduate courses during their senior year (or earlier for specific programs). Learn about the graduate course approval process.

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

  • Students completing graduate coursework while an undergraduate will pay the undergraduate tuition rate.
  • Dual-degree students accepted into the M.A. program may receive Graduate Assistantships which come with tuition waivers for graduate program enrollment.
  • The M.A. application fee is waived.
  • Up to 12 credit hours can count toward completion of both the B.A. and M.A. degrees in history (double credits).

For general tuition information, Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

Students who complete a B.A./M.A. in Literary Studies or in Rhetoric & Composition will have a sophisticated grasp of their chosen field of study and its importance in both the wider culture and professional marketplace. Advanced coursework in our M.A. curriculum also develops writing and research skills that prepare graduates to make immediate contributions to the wide range of careers that value those skills.

How to Register for Graduate Courses for Dual-Degree Program Students

  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your graduation plans and to review your remaining degree requirements. Click here for information about how to make an appointment with them.
  • Meet with your dual degree faculty coordinator or his/her designee to discuss your progression in the dual degree program and graduate course enrollment options.
  • If you plan to take a graduate course in the next upcoming term, fill out the Graduate Course Approval Form and email it to [email protected].
  • Register for the graduate course once you receive an email confirming your authorization. Review your academic evaluation to see where the graduate course counts. If you have questions about where your graduate course is counting on your academic evaluation, email your concerns to [email protected].

Description

Careers

Our master’s program graduates have gone on to employment in technical writing, digital design, professional communication, and middle and secondary education, as well as gaining admission to prestigious doctoral programs around the country.

Contacts

Undergraduate Program Director
Mark Noble
Associate Professor, English
[email protected]
404-413-5825

Graduate Program Director
Tanya Caldwell
Professor, English
[email protected]

Department of English
25 Park Place NE
23rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

Mailing Address
PO Box 3970
Atlanta, GA 30302-3970

College of Arts & Sciences Logo25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.