ENGL-MA - English (MA)

To study English at Stanford is to explore, profoundly and rewardingly, the rich legacy of literature written in English, past and present. The department offers many courses on individual authors, the history of literary genres, literary theory, new media, and creative writing. Given the emphasis on critical thinking and interpretation, the English major is, in turn, an excellent preparation for many professional fields, including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, medicine, and business. The graduate program features rigorous training in the research and analysis of British, American, and global literary histories and texts, preparing students to produce scholarship of originality and importance and to teach literature at the highest levels.

This program is ONLY open to current Stanford undergraduates majoring in English or related fields, Modern Thought and Literature, American Studies, Comparative Literature, and any language and literature within the DLCL and Classics.

Students pursuing the English MA thesis option may not pursue the English Honors program concurrently. 

The application deadline for Spring 2026 admission including Letters of Recommendation is January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PST.

Students should select the Entry Term based on when they plan to confer their undergraduate degree. Students who will confer their undergraduate degree before Autumn of the following academic year must select a Spring Quarter start term.

This program is ONLY open to current Stanford undergraduates who are majoring in English or related fields, Modern Thought and Literature, American Studies, Comparative Literature, and any language and literature within DLCL and Classics. Students who pursue the thesis option may not pursue the English Honors program concurrently.