Combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in English

The 4+1 program can combine the standard English major, the professional writing concentration, or the creative writing concentration with either of the two MA options, literature or writing.

Students apply in their junior year and begin taking MA courses in their senior year. In MA courses, students work in small group settings with distinguished professors who are experts in their fields and a diverse student body, many of whom are licensed teachers and work professionally in U.S. schools. BA + MA students have the opportunity to complete a capstone project working one-on-one with a faculty member to compose a masters thesis, manuscript, or portfolio.

Salem State is the only Massachusetts state university to offer a BA + MA in English; our application process is simple and seamless, requiring only a statement of interest and proof of 3.5 or higher GPA in English; BA + MA students have the option to add the MAT degree, obtaining a second master’s and a license to teach English in addition to the BA and MA degrees.