Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

• Present effective academic arguments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the writing process.
• Practice a variety of approaches to the study of English language and literature and apply them appropriately.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in English Language and Literature will be prepared to teach introductory college-level English courses in dual credit high school programs, community colleges, or other higher learning institutions. With 18 graduate credit hours in English, certificate-holders will have the credentials required by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is the independent accreditor of degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central Region of the United States.

Admission Requirements and Process

Students may apply up to six graduate credit hours in English that were taken as a visiting/non-degree seeking student once they are admitted to the program.

The applicant must hold:

• a B.A. in English, or a B.A. degree that includes significant coursework in English.
• a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average in undergraduate work and a 3.0 average in undergraduate English coursework. In unusual circumstances, the graduate committee may consider applicants with lower grade-point averages.

Applicants will be asked to submit the following materials with their online application:

1. Academic information, including institutions attended, degrees earned, GPA, foreign language experience, honors and awards, and relevant work experience
2. Writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's writing abilities in the humanities in up to 15 pages of recent academic prose (upload file)
3. Statement of purpose that describes the applicant’s academic and professional objectives in an essay of 500-600 words, discussing in detail their interest, research, and writing in their emphasis area (upload file)
4. Three letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant's readiness for graduate study written by three professors or others who know the applicant's abilities and potential well (provide email addresses and recommenders will receive instructions to upload letters)
5. Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended (mail to UMKC Office of Admissions, 5100 Rockhill Road, 120 Administrative Center, 64110)

Program Requirements

Students must complete 18 graduate credit hours in English to complete the Graduate Certificate in English Language & Literature. Students must maintain a 3.0 (B) grade-point average to remain in the certificate program and to complete the degree.

Students must complete a formal Program of Study and have it signed within a year after admission. A final Program of Study must be submitted and signed during the semester a student files to graduate.

Students must remain continuously enrolled, except in summer, for a minimum of 1 credit hour per semester. ENGLISH 5899 is the continuous enrollment course number.

Students must complete all coursework within seven years.

Students who wish to continue their graduate studies in the Master of Arts in English program may apply the 18 hours of coursework completed in the graduate certificate program toward the 31 credit hours required for the M.A. program. To complete the M.A. program, students must complete all requirements of the M.A. program, including the foreign language requirement.