Become a better writer, a better reader and communicator, and a more creative and critical thinker to advance your knowledge, your skills and your career.
The online Master of Arts in English leads to career advancement in many fields and fosters life-long learning. You can become an expert in children’s literature as a teacher, editor or scholar, for instance, or pursue your passion for creative writing in fiction, poetry and/or creative nonfiction.
This program includes asynchronous and synchronous courses, and you can complete the degree part time or full time at the pace you prefer. You will work with an advisor to help select one of the following five tracks to fit your goals: literature, children’s literature, creative writing, cultural studies, or composition and rhetoric.
Currently, online students can choose from two of our five tracks: children's literature or creative writing. If you are interested in the composition and rhetoric track, you might consider the online graduate certificate in technical writing and professional communication. If you are interested in literature or cultural studies, please talk with an advisor about the possibility of a hybrid approach to the program.
Taught by on-campus professors
30-33 credit hours
100% online
Career Prospect Highlights
Median Salary
Nationwide Median Salary
Jobs 2025
Jobs Nationwide
Job Growth
5-Year Nationwide Job Growth
All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.
Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field. Provisional admission may be granted if you are entering the degree program with no previous coursework in English.
Additional Documentation Your application must include the following:
Statement of objectives: The personal statement should briefly describe your interest in the program, previous experience, research or academic interests, and long-term career goals. Most statements are 2-3 pages in length.
Writing sample of 8-15 pages of analytical or persuasive prose. Note: If you would like to enter the creative writing track, you should submit a writing sample of either 10-30 pages of prose or 6-10 poems, in addition to your analytical writing sample.
Names and emails of persons qualified to speak informatively about your academic performance and potential for advanced study in English. References will be contacted automatically using the email addresses provided by you, but it is your responsibility to ensure letters are submitted before the program application deadline.
Unofficial transcripts from each institution attended
Failure to list any colleges or universities from which you received a degree or enrolled in graduate coursework may result in dismissal from the university.
If transcripts are not in English, you must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
You will be asked for official transcripts after notification of admission.
Graduates of the program come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds and excel in careers such as:
technical and professional writing
publishing and editing
teaching
management
information services and technology
public relations
librarianship
arts and humanities administration
government and law
philanthropic and not-for-profit agencies
What courses will I take? Learn more about the courses in this program.