Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the main FAQ page for additional questions related to admission. If you cannot find the answers to your questions on this web site, please contact the School of Continuing Studies’ Admission Office at (847) 491-5612.

Program Information:

What are the advantages of the part-time MALit program?
The MALit program gives students, most of whom are working full-time, an opportunity to learn from dedicated and talented Northwestern University faculty. The MALit program draws extensively from the English department at Northwestern, but faculty in French and Italian, German, Spanish and Portuguese, classics, Slavic languages and literature, and theater also teach in this program. The program courses are designed to give students a broad and stimulating foundation in literary study. Students engage in a variety of serious intellectual pursuits, that prepare them for further academic or professional study, enhance their career credentials, and satisfy their desire for in-depth knowledge.

The MALit and MALS course offerings look very similar: What is the difference between these two degrees?
The two programs do allow for cross-enrollment, but the main focus of each one is distinct. Students in the MALit program take most of their courses from 400- level MALit course offerings, which provide for the interdisciplinary study of literature. Each student in the MALit program must take English 410-0 Introduction to Graduate Study in their first year of study. That course introduces students to current issues in literary scholarship, criticism, and theory while also introducing students to graduate study and research methods. Each MALit student completes a master’s thesis under the direction of a faculty member approved by the MALit academic program director.

In some cases MALit students may take MALS courses, especially if those courses relate to their academic interests. For example, a student who plans to do a master’s thesis on modern literature might choose to take a course in MALS on modern art or one on modern philosophy. Or an MALit student who is studying Latin American literature may take an MALS graduate course on Latin American politics or history.

Will my degree be conferred through the School of Continuing Studies? What will my diploma read?
While the School of Continuing Studies administers the MALit program, it does not confer the degree. Your degree will be conferred by Northwestern University’s Graduate School and your diploma will state this fact.

Who teaches the courses?
The courses are primarily taught by full-time Northwestern University faculty. The faculty are drawn from a variety of departments such as anthropology, art history, English, history, philosophy, religion, Slavic languages and literature, and sociology.

When and where do courses meet?
Courses meet in the evenings from 7 to 9:30 pm at both our Evanston and Chicago Lakefront campuses.

How long does it take to complete the MALit program?
The Graduate School allows students a maximum of five years to complete a program, although master’s degree students generally complete degree requirements in two to three years.

Can I transfer credits from another graduate program?
No course work may be transferred from outside Northwestern University to fulfill MALit degree requirements.

Are any online courses available?
No online courses are offeredt at this time.

How large are the classes?
Class sizes typically range from 10 to 20 students per class, which gives them considerable personal attention from the faculty.

Can I take just one course?
Yes. If you do not want to pursue the entire degree or feel that you need professional or academic upgrades in a certain area, you can take courses on an individual basis as a nondegree special student or visiting scholar.

What could this degree do for my career?
The credential of having taken a master’s degree or other graduate-level work at Northwestern University looks impressive on any resume.Alumni report that having the degree made a positive difference in their career advancement and salary.

MALit students come from a variety of professional disciplines Our students are doctors, lawyers, writers, accountants, teachers, librarians, entrepreneurs, museum professionals, and homemakers- all united by their interests in continuing the life of the mind. Some students switch careers as a result of their experience in the program. Others come because they are interested in intellectual pursuits for their own reward. A number of MALit students over the years have gone on for further study at both the master's and PhD levels.

Admissions:

How do I apply ?
You must submit the following items:

• Complete Online Application
• A nonrefundable application fee of $75. This fee must be paid online using a credit card; see the online application.
• One copy of official transcripts from all previous colleges you have attended. This should include both CREDIT AND NONCREDIT COURSEWORK. (Note: Students submitting transcripts from foreign institutions that are not in English must present a document-by-document evaluation of transcripts.)
• One copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation addressing your intellectual and academic abilities, especially as they relate to the analysis and interpretation of literary texts. Ideally, an instructor who knows you well should write such a letter. Students who have been away from school for a number of years, sometimes take one or two 300-level courses at SCS with the intent of gaining a current and relevant letter of recommendation. While some applicants submit letters from supervisors or managers in their place of employment, those letters are typically less informative about a student’s academic abilities and often do not help an application.
• One copy of a 300-word statement of intent, indicating your preparedness for graduate study and future academic goals.
• Four copies of a writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages). This should be a critical essay that offers an analysis of a literary text or texts in terms of theme, style, historical or cultural context, or other literary topics.

How are applications evaluated?
Applications are evaluated by the MALit admissions committee. The following considerations guide the committee in reviewing applications:

• Letters of recommendation help build a case for your academic qualifications. A strong letter that provides detailed information about your academic ability will have a positive effect on your candidacy. The more specific the letter, the better. For example, a letter that describes your papers or research projects is more effective than a letter that simply says that you were a hard worker in class. You should brief recommenders about the program and your objectives before requesting a letter; we recommend you meet or correspond with your recommenders.
• The statement of purpose demonstrates whether or not your academic goals are appropriate to the MALit program. This statement also helps the committee determine whether you possess the necessary writing skills and intellectual maturity to succeed in the program.
• The writing sample is used to evaluate your ability to engage in the academic study of literature. We recommend that the sample be a paper written for a previously completed course that focuses on a critical discussion of a literary topic. The paper should have a strong thesis and make use of close textual study to advance that thesis. The paper should follow academic conventions when citing sources and should be clearly organized and written. If you do not have such a paper to submit, you may consider taking an advanced-level undergraduate literature course that will require such a paper.