African American Literature Graduate Certificate

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Certificate Program

The African American Literature certificate provides training to students interested in teaching African American Literature. The goal of the training is to 1) provide students with the preparation they need to teach African American Literature, and 2) give official recognition of preparation to help students qualify for jobs both within and outside the United States.

Admission Requirements

Students eligible to take courses as non-degree seeking students at the University of Memphis can complete the certificate requirements.
Applicants should send a letter of intent and two letters of recommendation to the Department of English Graduate Office. Applicants must also apply and send official transcripts to the University of Memphis Graduate School.
An overall minimum grade point average of 2.75 in English or a related area is recommended at the undergraduate level.
Since up to 15 credit hours from the certificate program may count toward the MA, MFA, or PhD degrees, it is expected that many already-admitted students will earn the certificate on their way to the MA, MFA, or PhD degree. Such students wishing to earn the Certificate must apply to the Certificate Program through the Graduate School.

Program Requirements

Fifteen (15) Semester Credit Hours

The certificate program requires completion of fifteen (15) semester credit hours, including:

Twelve (12) Credit Hours

Twelve (12) credit hours must be met by satisfactory completion of any four (4) of the following core courses:

ENGL 7326 - African American Literature of Memphis and the Mid-South Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7327 - Studies in Form and Genre: African American Literature Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7328 - Studies in Major Authors: African American Literature Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7329 - African American Literature, Beginnings to 1850 Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7330 - Afr-Amer Lit 1850-1900 ** Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7332 - Literature of the African Diaspora Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7335 - African American Literature, 1989-Present Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7336 - African American Literary Theory Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7337 - African-American Literature, 1930-1988 Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7338 - Amiri Baraka and the Black Arts Movement Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7468 - Literature of the Harlem Renaissance ** Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7469 - African American Women Writers ** Credit Hours: (3)

Three (3) Elective Hours

Three (3) elective hours may be selected from one of the following courses, provided it has an African American Literature component:

ENGL 7281 - Studies in Early American Literature Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7294 - Studies in 19th-Century American Literature Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7391 - Modern American Novel Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7392 - American Poetry Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7393 - American Drama Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 7464 - Contemporary American Literature Credit Hours: (3)

Retention Requirements

Same as retention policies applicable to Department of English graduate degree programs.

Graduation Requirements

Following the deadlines in the semester in which they intend to graduate, certificate candidates must file an Apply to Graduate Card with the Graduate School and a Candidacy form with the Graduate Coordinator for English.