Master Of Arts - English And Cultural Studies at Lakehead University - Program overview

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Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-06-12

Program overview

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in English and Cultural Studies at Lakehead University is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of literature and cultural studies. This program offers a flexible approach, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests and career goals. Whether you are looking to pursue a terminal degree or prepare for doctoral studies, this program provides a rich learning environment. With options for specialization in areas such as Gender and Women's Studies and Social Justice Studies, students can engage in interdisciplinary research and critical analysis. The program is offered at the Thunder Bay campus, providing a supportive academic community.

Program Structure

The Master of Arts in English and Cultural Studies program is structured to accommodate various academic interests and career aspirations. The program offers several options for completion:

Thesis Option: Ideal for students interested in conducting in-depth research.
Coursework Option: Provides a broad coverage of fields and the opportunity to work with multiple professors.
Research-Project Option: A combination of coursework and research.
Creative-Project Option: Allows students to produce a creative work while engaging in critical analysis.
Collaborative Graduate Program: Specialization in Gender and Women's Studies, combining expertise from both departments.

The program is designed to be completed within two years of continuous registration, ensuring that students can efficiently progress through their studies. Additionally, incoming Canadian students have the opportunity to work as Graduate Assistants, gaining valuable teaching experience while receiving funding.

Featured Experiences

Graduate Assistantships: Provides funding and teaching experience for up to two years.
Collaborative Programs: Specializations in Gender and Women's Studies and Social Justice Studies allow for interdisciplinary learning.
Creative-Project Option: Encourages students to explore creative writing alongside critical analysis.
Personalized Attention: Smaller department size allows for closer mentorship and support from faculty.
Research Opportunities: Engage with faculty who are active researchers in various fields, including film studies and cultural studies.

Career Options

Graduates of the Master of Arts in English and Cultural Studies can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Academic Researcher: Conduct research in literature and cultural studies, contributing to scholarly publications.
University Lecturer: Teach courses in English literature, cultural studies, or gender studies at the post-secondary level.
Editor: Work in publishing, editing manuscripts, articles, and academic papers for clarity and coherence.
Content Developer: Create educational materials and content for various media platforms, focusing on cultural topics.
Policy Analyst: Analyze and develop policies related to social justice, education, or cultural initiatives.

These career options reflect the diverse skill set and knowledge base that students acquire through their studies in this program, preparing them for impactful roles in academia, publishing, and beyond.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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Last updated on 2025-06-12

Program overview

Academic Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Master of Arts in English and Cultural Studies program must meet the following requirements:

Graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute.
Evidence of scholarly achievement, with a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
A minimum standing of at least second class (B) based on the last 20 half courses or equivalent.

For international students, particularly those from countries that follow a British-patterned grading system, the following additional requirements apply:

Overall standings are typically reported instead of an average. The CGPA can be determined based on annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate.
A minimum grade of B, or Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
The National Diploma and Higher National Diploma are not recognized for admission to a graduate-level program.
Applicants must include a copy of their institution's grading scale when uploading transcripts.
An applicant holding a degree outside the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered based on courses taken and academic standing.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as all candidates must be recommended for admission by the academic unit. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify all applicants in writing regarding their admission status.

In addition to the general Academic Requirements, the following program-specific requirements must also be met:

Theory Requirement: Candidates must have taken or be taking at least one FCE in literary and cultural theory, such as English 2913 or its equivalent. If lacking in this area, candidates must take one FCE in literary and cultural theory in addition to other courses to qualify for the Master of Arts degree.
Candidates should communicate with the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of English regarding course offerings for the upcoming year.
Thesis, research-project, and creative-project candidates should discuss potential topics with the Graduate Coordinator to assign a supervisor.
Graded English Essay: International applicants must provide a graded English essay from their undergraduate studies as part of the application process.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they meet all requirements and deadlines.

Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate they can cope with the language demands of an English language university and will be required to present proof of English language proficiency. Lakehead University may consider the following as proof of English language proficiency:

To satisfy Lakehead University's English language proficiency requirements, applicants can complete one of the following recognized language tests with the required minimum scores:

Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) or CAEL CE (Computer Edition) or CAEL Online - Minimum Score: 60
Cambridge Academic English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) - Minimum Score: 176 (no individual score less than 169)
Duolingo English Test - Minimum Score: 110
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum Score: 6.5 (no individual score less than 6.0)
Michigan English Test (MET) - Minimum Score: 85
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Minimum Score: 58 (no component score less than 50)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum Score for Internet Based Test (iBT): 80 (no component score less than 19)

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!