School of English & Interdisciplinary Studies

Side view of books.

Jason McEntee, Director
Paul Baggett, Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator
School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies
Pugsley Continuing Education Center 301, Box 2218
605-688-5191

The English and Interdisciplinary Studies school’s graduate programs prepare students for professional careers or further graduate study by developing their skills in a single discipline (English) or in multiple disciplines (Interdisciplinary Studies).

The English M.A. offers instruction in a wide range of specialty areas, including British and American literature, women’s writing, Native American literature, literary theory, rhetoric, composition, creative writing, professional and technical writing, peace and conflict studies, and film studies. Students will develop their capacities for textual analysis, research, theory, and creative and critical writing. Students in the English M.A. program may choose either the Literature track or the Writing and Rhetoric track.

The M.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences program is an innovative, flexible, and highly individualized graduate program designed to meet students’ academic and professional goals. Students will work with their advisor to finalize their plan of study in at least two or three disciplines, using classes that are relevant to supporting the student in achieving their educational goals. Students will complete a plan of study with a research/design paper or coursework only option.

Graduate Faculty

Paul Baggett, Associate Professor
Amber Jensen, Lecturer
Kathy Malone, Associate Professor
Jason McEntee, Director and Professor
Michael Nagy, Associate Professor
Nathan Serfling, Assistant Professor
Sharon Smith, Professor
Steven Wingate, Professor

Programs

Master’s Degrees

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The school offers a number of graduate teaching assistantships for the nine-month academic year. Teaching assistants take two graduate classes each semester and teach either two sections of composition or one section of composition with duties in the Writing Center. The assistantship is renewable each year, providing the student is making good academic progress and receives satisfactory teaching evaluations. Graduate teaching assistants receive a stipend, office space, faculty library status, and a full tuition waiver. Applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship should indicate their interest in the statement of purpose submitted to the Graduate School as part of their online application.