The master's program in English emphasizes literary criticism understood as elucidation of individual works and development of standards of judgment. The atmosphere of study is set by the understanding that poetry offers reliable access to a wisdom, which, although perhaps distinct from philosophy, is comparable to philosophy in its breadth and penetration. Intended for those who wish to pursue the advanced study of literature in English within the context of the Western tradition of culture and thought, students tailor a curriculum to gain excellent preparation for a career in teaching, higher education, journalism, law or business. It is also an excellent preparation for students wishing to pursue a doctorate at any university, in any number of programs in the humanities.The Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts offers both the Master of Arts in English and the Master of English.The goal of the program is to develop and perfect a student's capacities for sophisticated and independent thinking about literature, through which one can reach wisdom about the human condition. Therefore, it is focused on the humanities, broadly understood, as this combination allows students to achieve an unusual depth and breadth of understanding. Students are encouraged to integrate their literary studies with the integrated and overlapping traditions of philosophy, politics, and culture.