A.B.M. in English

Timeline

Full-time students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English degree program (a combined 141 credits over 5 years) are required to take at least three courses per semester. Some things to keep in mind:

  • In order to matriculate in the A.B.M program, you will have already completed at least 90 credits toward the BA in English.
  • All courses taken for the M.A. portion of A.B.M. program credit must be at the 500 and 600 level.
  • Students are permitted to double count a total of 9 credits toward the dual degrees.
  • The Graduate School requires students to complete all graduate degree requirements for an A.B.M. within 2 years after their enrollment and coding as A.B.M. students.
  • Refer to the Administrative Guidelines and Forms for more information about what to file and when.

Typical Full-Time Student Timeline

Senior Year (First Year of M.A.)

  1. Take ENG 510/511 Introduction to Professional Study and ENG 514 Studies in Critical Theories, and one additional 500- or 600-level seminar. These three courses will count toward both the B.A. and the M.A. Note: ENG 510/511 counts toward the “Elective” requirements of the BA; ENG 514 substitutes for “Ways of Thinking”; the appropriate undergraduate category for this third graduate level seminar will be determined in consultation with the seminar instructor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
  2. Complete ENG 394 or ENG 395 Independent Study with a member of the English department faculty. This course will serve as an elective in the B.A. English major
  3. Complete the minimum requirements for an undergraduate major in English.
  4. Select a major professor in your specialization who will become your mentor and direct your Non-Thesis Portfolio.

A.B.M. Fifth Year (Second Year of M.A.)

  1. You will take the remaining 5 graduate courses required for the M.A.
  2. Register for ENG 595 Master’s Project for the Non-Thesis option. You will need to obtain a permission number from your major professor.
  3. Before the beginning of your final semester, you should form a committee with your Major Professor to supervise the Non-Thesis Portfolio and Program of Study. As soon as is feasible, submit a Program of Study Form to the Graduate Studies office.
  4. At the beginning of the semester you plan to graduate, submit the Nomination for Graduation Form to the Graduate Studies office.
  5. Plan to take the M.A. Comprehensive Exams (Non-Thesis option).
  6. Check your Program of Study to make sure it is an accurate record of courses taken. If there have been changes from the initial Program of Study, it’s necessary to file a Petition for Changes in Graduate Program. 
  7. Submit your final Non-Thesis Portfolio.
  8. If your goal is to continue on to a Ph.D. program, plan to present at professional conferences.

Additional Information for M.A. students

  • You must be registered for the semester in which you defend your Non-Thesis Portfolio.
  • You may take two graduate courses in another URI program to count toward your English M.A. with approval from your major professor and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
  • Students who wish to pursue an independent study (ENG 690 or ENG 691) under the guidance of a faculty member should submit a formal request to the Director of Graduate Studies, indicating your reasons for pursuing an independent study, a description of the project, how the study will be conducted (i.e., weekly meetings, biweekly meetings, etc.), and space for signature by the student, professor, and DGS. This request must be approved by the DGS prior to enrolling in ENG 690/691.
  • The DGS must sign all forms before they may be sent to the Graduate School.