Program Description
The English Department offers a Combined Undergraduate-Graduate (CUG) program that allows UW-Seattle English majors to build on their undergraduate degree for one additional academic year and earn an MA in English. Over the course of the program students are given the opportunity to participate in a series of small seminar-style courses and to receive support from faculty mentors as they learn to write longer papers and pursue independent research projects.
Reasons to do the CUG program in English
An MA in English affords those not yet sure about next steps the chance to engage in further intellectual exploration and decision making. While we regard earning an MA as an exciting pursuit and a worthy end in itself, for some students the year of additional course work, research and writing may help with future decisions related to graduate study and career direction. Additionally, some find an MA desirable when applying for jobs for which a degree beyond the BA is seen as an advantage (for instance, publishing, teaching in private schools, editing, and writing copy).
An MA in English can be a boon when applying for graduate work in English or related fields. Indeed, one goal of the CUG program is to help UW students get into doctoral programs of their choice. This noted, those entering the program are advised that it is not designed for entry into the UW’s English PhD because learning from new faculty and programs is beneficial to doctoral education. Those interested in PhD work are highly encouraged to apply elsewhere for this degree. The departmental PhD program rarely admits students with UW BA degrees.
Program Requirements and Course of Study
The MA in English is a 40-credit program, but students in the CUG program can use ten approved 400-level credits towards both the MA and BA. The remaining 30 credits are completed during the MA year.
Coursework as an Undergraduate Student
Up to 10 credits of coursework (two 5-credit courses) taken as an undergraduate can be applied toward the graduate degree. These credits must be taken as an undergraduate student, but after admission to the CUG program. In order for a course to count toward the master’s degree, the student must earn at least a 3.8 GPA. Students may select from the following list of courses, if the course is offered jointly with a 500-level course:
ENGL 407: Special Topics in Cultural Studies
ENGL 430: British Writers: Studies in Major Authors
ENGL 431: Topics in British Literature
ENGL 440: Special Studies in Literature
ENGL 442: The Novel: Special Studies
ENGL 443: Poetry: Special Studies
ENGL 444: Dramatic Literature: Special Studies
ENGL 451: American Writers: Studies in Major Authors
ENGL 452: Topics in American Literature
ENGL 473: Current Developments in English Studies
Students may also have the following courses count towards the master’s degree:
ENGL 494: Honors Seminar
ENGL 496: English Honors thesis
ENGL 498: Senior Seminar
Coursework as a Master’s Student
In order to graduate with an MA in English, students must complete a total of 40 credits. Students who apply 10 credits from their undergraduate degree toward the graduate degree will only need to complete 30 credits during their year as a graduate student.
If students did not have the chance to complete 10 transferrable credits as undergraduate students after admission to the combined program, they can take additional course work in autumn and winter quarter during their MA year. We highly recommend that students nonetheless try their best to take at least one course as an undergraduate student that can transfer. Three graduate-level courses in one quarter is a lot of reading and writing.
In general, during their year as a graduate student, students are expected to take the following courses:
Autumn Quarter
ENGL 506 B: Introduction to Graduate Study in English (5 credits)
Elective (5 credits)
Winter Quarter
Elective (5 credits)
Elective (5 credits)
Spring Quarter
Elective (5 credits)
ENGL 590: MA Essay (5 credits)
All 500- and 600-level courses that are offered through the UW English department automatically count as electives, with the exception of ENGL 570, 581, 584-587, 591, 597, and 601. Graduate-level courses that are offered by other departments may be counted toward the MA in English with pre-approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.
What is the MA essay?
The master’s essay is a scholarly paper that allows students to demonstrate the research skills and knowledge they have gained throughout their master's studies. It often develops from a paper written for a course and follows the form of an article for a scholarly journal. The particulars of its argumentation and format will vary depending on a student's academic area(s) of specialization. The master’s essay is the final component of the MA degree.
To support the completion of the MA essay, students register for the guided Master Essay course, ENGL 590. Students also find a specialist advisor to support their work and meet with that advisor at least twice during the quarter.
The usual length of the master's essay is that of an article in a scholarly journal. It should be prepared according to the citation scheme appropriate for one's area of specialty, such as MLA, Chicago Manual, or APA.
Both the instructor of ENGL 590 and the specialist advisor evaluate the essay and send copies of their evaluations to the student and to the English Graduate Advising Office. The grade for the essay (and for Engl 590) is assigned by the instructor of ENGL 590.
The master’s essay is not a thesis and is not submitted to the UW Graduate School to be filed in the library.
Advising
With the support of the Humanities Advising Services Center, the Director of Undergraduate Studies serves as the advisor for the undergraduate students in the CUG program. In January, we run one advising meeting for all students admitted to the program.
The Director of Graduate Studies serves as advisor for the MA students and runs an orientation to the MA program for students in spring quarter, before they enter the MA in the fall.
Admissions
Students apply to the CUG through the English Department and then also to the MA through the Graduate School.
Admission is competitive. We admit 10-15 students who have a strong academic record and whose statement of purpose clearly demonstrates informed interest in the program. Applications to the CUG are reviewed by the Department of English Undergraduate Studies Committee. Questions about the admissions process can be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Timeline:
November 15, 2026, deadline for current BA students to apply to the CUG
December 15, 2026, CUG application results communicated to students
May 15, 2027, deadline for CUG students to apply to the MA through Slate
June 15, 2027, MA application results communicated to students
Requirements:
Admission requirements to the CUG program:
- Declared English major at the UW Seattle campus
- A minimum UW English GPA of 3.7 GPA (in 200-level courses and above)
- A minimum GPA of 3.5
Expectation to graduate from the BA before the fall of the following academic year (so before September 2027)
Students who fail to meet this GPA requirement, but who feel that there are
mitigating circumstances, such as having taken a group of exceptionally difficult courses or having undergone a period of personal difficulty resulting in a lowered GPA, may petition the department for special consideration in their application (see below).Admission to the CUG requires the submission of the following to this Microsoft form by November 15:
- A statement of purpose (Recommended length: 500-750 words). Topics to address include: (1) Why are you interested in pursuing a combined B.A./M.A.? (2) What specific aspects of the program interest you, such as areas of study? (3) What makes you a good candidate for this program?
- An optional petition about why you ought to be considered even if you have not met the GPA requirements
- An unofficial academic transcript
- Candidates to the CUG should also ask a UW English faculty member for a reference.
Admission requirements to the MA:
- Prior admission to the CUG
- Projected completion of the BA, including the English Major, by the end of the summer quarter before the start of the MA
- A minimum UW English GPA of 3.7 GPA (in 200-level courses and above)
- Completion of ENGL 302 with at least a 3.7
- A minimum GPA of 3.5
Completion of two approved 400-level courses with a GPA of at least 3.8 OR completion of the English honors program, with a GPA in honors of at least 3.8
Admission to the MA program will follow the requirements of the Graduate School, which include submitting an application through Slate and paying a $90 application fee. In addition, the department’s Graduate Studies Committee will review the student’s academic transcript to ensure that the requirements have been met. Admission to the MA is not competitive: if you have been admitted to the CUG program and have met the requirements, you will be admitted.Common Questions:
What if I did the English honors program as a junior? Can I not then apply to the combined program?
You are absolutely welcome to apply to the program. But because you completed honors before admission to CUG program, the rules of the UW graduate school insist that we cannot transfer the honors credits to the MA. As a senior, we highly encourage you to take at least one, if not two, combined 400/500 level courses. We can count these courses towards your distribution requirements in the English Major and also towards your MA. Please write to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (sclare@uw.edu) to have these courses count towards your major.
What if I haven't taken 302 before applying to the CUG program?
That's fine! But please take it before applying to the MA.
Is the MA funded?
Unfortunately, no. But this is a "tuition-based" program and not a "fee-based" program, meaning that it is less expensive. You can find the cost-estimate here.
Are there scholarship or fellowship opportunities?
Here is a list of UW fellowships available.