After complete silence ever since applying, I caved and email the department today. I received a reply back almost immediately -- rejected from the PhD, but accepted into the MA.
I have kind of an unusual educational background -- Undergrad from UMD in Russian with a minor in English, and a Masters in Education (Curriculum and Instruction, concentration English) also from UMD. I've been a high school English teacher in the area for 4 years, and just this semester made the leap to two community colleges in the area teaching freshman level English. Obviously, I want the PhD so that I can further progress to full-time faculty at some point! My true passion is teaching. At any rate, the decision to accept the MA offer is tempting, since I might need more solid English cred to get into a PhD program than what I have. As an in-state student, the tuition is reasonable. Still, if it doesn't fit somehow with getting a PhD, it might not offer a lot of benefit.
Since I've been a student here AND am a current resident, I'd be happy to answer any questions people have about the area!