The Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) in English is designed to allow students to earn a BA degree and an MA degree in English in five years rather than the six years normally required to earn both degrees. Undergraduates participating in this program are granted early admission to the Graduate School and are allowed to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses during their senior year; these graduate courses can also count towards senior year major requirements.

Many students use an ADP to “bridge” between general liberal arts study and a more focused career path. Students who wish to do this should plan to complete an MA project based on their professional goals. The Department will facilitate such projects, which can be tailored to individual students; scholarly papers, creative writing projects, professional writing portfolios, and internships are all possibilities.

The Department welcomes current Marquette undergraduates to apply for this program. An English major is not required, but applicants must have taken 4 ENGL courses beyond ENGL 1001 and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GRE is not required. To apply, students will need a statement of purpose, writing sample, and minimum two, ideally three, letters of recommendation from current or former faculty.  A good statement of purpose explains why you are applying to Marquette’s ADP in English, framing it in terms of your academic interests and career goals. Your writing sample should be 1-2 documents that in total equal between 12 and 20 pages. The documents should be single-authored by you and showcase your analytical thinking, argumentation, and voice as a writer. 

Interested students should consult with their advisor, or with the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Ben Pladek, during their junior year.  Admissions are “rolling,” with no fixed deadline; however, to take full advantage of the program, students are strongly encouraged to apply by March 1. This will allow for expedited admissions consideration and effective senior-year planning/advising.

ADPs in their second year (beginning the fall after they receive their BA) will pay the tuition rate for humanities graduate students, which at $500/credit is significantly less than undergraduate tuition.  Other costs exist, see here - https://www.marquette.edu/central/financial-aid/resources/cost-of-attendance-professional-degrees.php”

 

ADP MAP (your exact trajectory may vary)

Required:  30 hours of graduate credit; 18 credits (5 courses, including 6820) must be at the 6000 level or above. The remaining courses may be at the 5000 level.  
 

Pre-planning (junior year) 

Spring 

• Apply for the ADP program, ideally by March 1, although later applications can be considered on a rolling basis 
• Plan, with an advisor, to finish all BA credit requirements plus 12 MA credits (certain upper-division English courses will double-count for BA and MA) during senior year 
   

Year One (senior year) 

Fall 

• ENGL 6820/8282 (theory course – taught every other year. If not offered Year One, it is taken in Year Two.) 
• One additional ENGL course at the 5000 or 6000 level 

• Other classes as needed (from other departments or from English to graduate with a BA) 

Spring 

• Two ENGL courses at the 5000 or 6000 level  
• Other classes as needed (from other departments or from English to graduate with a BA) 
   

Year Two 

Fall 

• Three ENGL courses at the 5000 or 6000 level, including 6820/8282 if not taken in Year One. 

Spring 

• Three ENGL courses at the 5000 or 6000 level OR two courses plus a 3-credit scholarly (6995) or professional project.  A culminating project is strongly encouraged