Take your passion for the written word further, examining how texts are produced and circulated, and their ongoing relationship with the public. Study the history and future of published works in this one-of-a-kind program that combines theory and practice with collaboration among faculty, experts, and visiting scholars. Earn a master’s degree in as little as one year while developing advanced communication, analytical and professional skills.
- Choose from four program types: Internship, Major Research Paper, Research Creation or Thesis; allowing you to shape your studies around your academic or applied interests.
- Gain experience through meetings with experts in the publishing industry, literary field trips, and opportunities to present your projects at a public colloquium.
- Develop professional skills for careers in publishing, editing, communications, journalism, and archival work, or pursue future studies at the Ph.D. level in English literature.
Accelerated Master’s
An accelerated Master’s option is available for eligible Trent University undergraduate students. If you are currently studying at Trent and are interested, please visit the program department website for more details and information on how to apply.
Explore issues central to modern literary research and develop career-ready skills through four different degree pathways designed for academic or applied interests.
Program Types
Eligibility Requirements
- Honours degree (a four-year undergraduate bachelor's degree) in English Literature or in another field relevant to public texts
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
Eligibility Requirements
- Honours degree (a four-year undergraduate bachelor's degree) in English Literature or in another field relevant to public texts
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
- Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of an adequate level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Please visit our International Applicant Resource page for details on English Language Proficiency requirements.
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are preferred; however, professional references will be accepted. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study/Personal Statement: 1-2 pages outlining your objectives in a graduate program. Any specific research interests, relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included
- Writing Sample: A sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. The preferred submission format is PDF. Good choices for writing samples include: an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a master's thesis, or a published article.
- Proof of Citizenship (i.e. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor: A potential supervisor is recommended as an admission requirement for this program. If chosen prior to admission, please list your supervisor on your OUAC application and discuss this in your plan of study. Please visit the program's Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to a faculty member
For more information on submitting transcripts, re-sending reference links and other application questions, please visit our How to Apply page and review Step 4, as well as review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Eligible full-time students are offered minimum funding packages during their funded period of $18,000 annually. This includes a Graduate Teaching Assistantship employment offer valued at approximately $13,000 annually. Specific funding details are included in individual admission letters.
Students are supported in competing for external awards during their studies, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. A full list of external awards is available on our Scholarships & Awards page.
This M.A. program also offers unique funding opportunities for its students, such as the Zailig Pollock Graduate Award. The program can provide more information about this type of support.
Trent has clear pathways for graduate students to apply and be admitted to study for their master's or doctorate at either of our campuses. Please review admission requirements for your program before applying.
The thing that attracted me about the Public Texts program at Trent, was the small program size. It made the year very fun, as we all became close friends. Throughout my grad studies at Trent, I was surprised how different my experience was, compared to undergrad. It has been an interesting perspective change to go from being a student, to now working alongside the same professors as their teaching assistant.
Dr. Loeb is a specialist in early modern English drama. His research interests include musical theories and practices in the 16th and 17th centuries and representations of witches and other supernatural figures on the English stage in that period. He is currently editing a collection of essays on the materiality of early modern witchcraft in collaboration with Dr. Molly Hand (FSU), and he occasionally produces plays by Shakespeare and other historical playwrights, in collaboration with Jacqueline Barrow (Fleming College), with his community theatre collective, The Electric City Players.
As a critical race and trans studies theorist, Dr. Bhanji’s research draws upon psychoanalysis and affect theory to explore articulations of necropolitics, racialization, and counter-terrorism within an increasingly globalized trans movement. He is particularly invested in tracing the affective circulation of expendability, decay, and death in public imaginaries.
Pursue deeper academic research through a 24-month degree through a thesis modeled on a short scholarly monograph, with opportunities for digital, performance, or other non-traditional presentations.
Complete a focused research project through a 12-month degree, developing advanced research and analytical skills through a paper modeled on a scholarly journal article.
Combine research with creative practice through a 12-month degree, with projects in creative writing, visual arts, media activities, or exhibition curation.
Gain hands-on professional experience through a 12-month degree and a 250-hour internship, connecting your placement with your academic research and career interests.