Enrolling in an online master’s in English will certainly help students acquire the needed skills in many fields. Typically, students who have an aptitude for playing with words enroll into these programs. The degree helps students gain more formal knowledge about the English language and enhance creative and critical thinking and communication skills. This section will break down the masters in English programs and walk you through curriculum, admission requirements, timelines, accreditation, etc.

Degree Types in Masters in English Programs

Currently, it is the age of text messages, emails, social media, etc. This trend is increasing, and voice-based communication decreases. English has always been part of the curriculum, either as a first language or second language. Typically, masters programs in English are offered mainly as a Master of Arts (M.A) degree. A MA English degree builds your knowledge of the language regarding the various genres, develops advanced skills in comprehending different English language concepts, and helps you apply that knowledge for research, effective communication, and professional writing skills. At the end of your degree in English, you will acquire the ability to think, read, and write creatively and critically.

Who should Pursue a Master’s in English Language

Anyone who has a bachelors in arts in english literature and has an aptitude for the language with good writing and communication skills. If you have a creative side to yourself and can be imaginative, then this might be the right career path for you. Those looking to get into the teaching profession should have an aptitude to deal and work with students.

Do you need a Master’s Thesis for graduating?

While some online master’s programs in English include capstone projects that require students to develop a project that incorporates various skills and coursework from the program, a master’s thesis serves as the most common final project. A master’s thesis serves as a research project and/or paper that prepares students for the rigorous research and writing demands of a doctoral degree in English.

For students not pursuing a doctorate in English, a master’s thesis allows for a deep dive into a specific research topic. In addition to whatever expertise the specific research topic provides, the intensive study of a thesis provides students with skills in independent work, demanding research, and scholarly writing.

How to choose an online master’s program in English?

After ensuring that the prospective institution holds regional accreditation — which students can verify through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs — learners should also consider the diversity of a program’s faculty and course offerings. A varied and inclusive institution may allow for more opportunities. Students should also pay attention to the degree conferred, since some English graduate programs only admit students seeking a doctorate. Online applicants should also note any residency requirements and graduation rates.

Applicants can also look at a faculty’s qualifications and publications to get a clearer picture of the program’s strengths. In addition to aligning a student’s interests with a faculty or faculty member, students might also identify a graduate mentor or supervisor — or even find potential courses or specializations of interest. Furthermore, students should review the awards and honors bestowed upon an institution’s faculty members.

What is covered in a master’s in English degree course?

A degree in English language and literature is designed to get you reading books, analyzing theories, critiquing prose and verse, and taking a more critical look at the signs and words surrounding us every day. The aim is to get students thinking creatively and analytically about the English language; this differs from other modern language degrees as it is intended for students already proficient in written and spoken English. An English degree can focus equally on the literature and language sides, while others specialize in one or the other; this will usually be clear from the course title.

A course with a focus on English literature typically allows students to study literary texts from throughout history. Often you’ll start with modules covering a diverse range of literature from different periods; for instance, you could be reading Shakespeare one week and Virginia Woolf the next. Your reading will require you to study and analyze passages, relating texts to their cultural, social, historical and political contexts.

An English language-focused degree will train students to analyze the workings of the English language outside of literature, including language-based communication in all kinds of forms and contexts. This could include analysis of casual spoken conversation, text speak, advertising methods or the uses of language in specialized legal and medical discourse.

What Exams or Projects Should a MA english Exponent Expect?

While some online master’s programs in English include capstone projects that require students to develop a project that incorporates various skills and coursework from the program, a master’s thesis serves as the most common final project. A master’s thesis serves as a research project and/or paper that prepares students for the rigorous research and writing demands of a doctoral degree in English.

For students not pursuing a doctorate in English, a master’s thesis allows for a deep dive into a specific research topic. In addition to whatever expertise the specific research topic provides, the intensive study of a thesis provides students with skills in independent work, demanding research, and scholarly writing.

Timelines for graduation from Masters in English Programs

On average, the timeline for any Master’s program would be two to three years. Many universities offer master’s programs in English, and the timelines vary from university to university. Typically, M.A. English course duration is around two years. However, many universities offer accelerated self-paced programs and can be finished by students’ situation to take up more credits and graduate faster. In such programs, graduate students can finish the entire program within a year or take more than two years. These self-paced programs are increasingly becoming popular, which makes the M.A. English course duration is very flexible.

Key skills and assessment methods

The study of English literature and language will aim to stretch your independent thought and analytical skills. For this reason, lecturers will not spoon-feed you information but rather expect you to develop your understanding by reading assigned critical theory and journals along with the key texts. Seminars and group discussion provide a setting in which to test your ideas on your fellow students and gain a better understanding through idea sharing and debate.

An English degree is typically assignment-based, with essays and papers to be submitted regularly. Exams are also common, often coming at the end of each year. In some cases you may also be partly assessed based on your contributions to group discussions; the combination of assessment methods used really depends on the institution.

What Common Courses are Offered in a Master’s in English Program?

Each master’s program in English presents a unique set of courses and objectives, though certain courses appear commonly across the board. The sample curriculum below includes some of the most common courses provided by top graduate English programs. These options may vary depending on the course, school, and/or specialization.

Critical Theory	Critical theory requires students to take knowledge from a variety of disciplines and apply it to the English program. Whether this comparative study takes the form of literary analysis or another form, the practice helps students develop critical thinking and translation skills.
Cultural Studies	Courses in cultural studies prepare students to understand cultures through the lens of multiple disciplines. By drawing from multiple disciplines, students create a clearer picture of what forces, institutions, and processes contribute to a society’s makeup. In addition to critical thinking and problem-solving skills, cultural studies graduates develop a better understanding of diversity and community.
American Literature	American literature focuses on the literature produced by American authors, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It often requires students to apply knowledge from other disciplines, but, most of all, it provides students with a strong foundation in both writing and literary analysis. Students also gain an understanding of the topics and issues that American authors faced throughout history.
Professional Writing	Nearly every profession values professional writing skills. Students hone their ability to craft and edit meaningful and powerful professional communications in these courses. Many professional writing courses enable students to specialize or focus on a specific field, such as financial writing, public relations, and/or medical writing.
Postmodernism	Many view postmodernism as a rejection of, or departure from, the assumptions of modernism. Postmodern literature and/or analysis typically amounts to an exercise in skepticism, questioning things like moral systems. Courses in postmodernism require students to observe the institutions and power structures in place that governed thinking in the past.
What Specializations are Available in a Master’s in English Program?	Built into many online master’s programs in English, specializations or concentrations allow students to focus their degree into a particular area of study. While the available concentrations vary depending on the program, the list below includes some of the more common options.
Contemporary Literature	A specialization in contemporary literature focuses on the writing of contemporary authors and poets and deals with the issues deemed important or integral to modern society. The specialization typically narrows the scope of material to post-World War II.
Creative Writing	A creative writing specialization provides students with an intensive study in the creation and editing process of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It also helps prepare students who plan to teach creative writing professionally. Some creative writing specializations allow students to choose a specific genre to explore in depth.
Women/Gender Studies	Students specializing in women and/or gender studies explore texts using an gendered or genderless lens. This approach allows students to consider and analyze the influences and/or conditions under which women and genders were represented in texts, typically with consideration to both time and place.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in English Program

A Master’s in English program enables students with a better and advanced understanding of English. English proficiency is considered one of the prime requirements while applying for any job, and there is never a scarcity of jobs for graduates of English. Universities that offer a master’s degree in English offer different course structures. But every online graduate course in English that these universities offer helps students advance emotional intelligence and cognitive flexibility. Here are some more skills that students will gain from masters in English programs:

• Development of leadership and critical thinking skills and reasoning skills
• Articulation of knowledge and intellect associated with theories and concepts
• Management of time and way of independent working
• Decision-making analysis
• Analyzing the alternative perspective and negotiating with the available information
• Interacting in the groups and discussing the leads
• Sound Information Technological knowledge

It is no secret that higher education costs are skyrocketing, and increasing student debt is becoming a national problem. Paying tuition is becoming challenging for many students. Many students attest that the tuition fee structure is one of the biggest they consider and whether the tuition is within their budget range. This section will walk you through several different ways you can pay for a masters in English programs. Your interest in pursuing an online master’s in English can be carried forward without any financial hurdles as universities offer you a chance to form different payment methods like student loans, tuition reimbursement for employers, fellowships, FAFSA, and other financial aids.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a primary step for the students to obtain financial help for further graduate studies. You can complete the free application for Federal student aid depending on the student’s eligibility for a particular financial help slab. The Federal government takes this charge of releasing the funds for students. Read more about paying for online master’s programs on the best financial aid guide.

Many universities are moving away from standardized test score requirements for master’s programs. This is happening because of the increasing belief that tests like GRE or GMAT don’t fully capture students’ ability to go through graduate programs and succeed. Universities are putting more emphasis on the program itself rather than barriers to entry. Many universities are offering M.A. in English no GRE programs. In this guide, we are only showcasing programs that are accredited and maintain high program standards. Here are a few universities that offer M.A. in English no GRE programs: