Master’s in English Online

The online master’s English program provides broad training to students in the primary area of English. The core principles of the curriculum are writing and pedagogy of literature, history of English Literature, linguistic structure, and different kinds of reading strategies associated with close and genre reading. Students will be able to gain knowledge and skills to conduct research and develop presentation and analytical skills through a focused study of literature. They will also be able to understand the current trends in digital humanities. The program is offered in offline, online, and hybrid modes (that couple offline and online classes). The duration of the program is typically around two years if completed full-time.

To earn an online master’s in English, students must meet the required credit hours distributed between core courses, elective courses, culminating master’s essays, and other program requirements. The coursework focuses on literary analysis and history, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing. The program’s curriculum is quite diverse, and students can choose their electives per their interests. Some of the common courses taught in a master’s in English across colleges are:

Medieval English Literature

In this course, students go through the medieval literature of England and Scotland from when they first appeared in written English to the start of the Renaissance. The course explores celebrated authors through the Middle Ages and their historical contexts.

Introduction to English Studies

This is one of the required courses where students are introduced to the main methods and areas of English studies- rhetoric, creative writing, literary studies, and more. This course equips students with transferable skills that will assist them throughout their master’s program. It will provide essential technical and critical thinking skills, among others.

American Literature

In this course, students learn about the literature related to the American colonies until the period which led to the construction of the United States as it is today. Students learn to analyze poetry, fiction, drama, literary criticism, and their impact on society.

British Colonial and Postcolonial Literature

In this course, students learn the common themes and motifs from postcolonial literature, like cultural dominance, the quest for identity, inequality, racism, and more. The course helps students focus on issues concerning the colonial period, and students read about different postcolonial authors with special emphasis on texts emerging from that period. 

Major Rhetorical Theories and Teaching Composition

This course encompasses different interdisciplinary fields centered on writing. Students learn to focus on language as a tool for not just social expression but also personal expression.

Some common electives offered across many programs are linguistics, composition studies, teaching young adult literature, magical realism as a global genre, etc. At some colleges, students completing online master’s in English programs will be required to cover the Approaches to Research course. In contrast, others may require students to complete a graduate capstone seminar before completing the program.

Program admission requirements vary by college and would be required to be met for enrollment into a master’s in English degree. The basic requirements at most institutions are standard, such as a bachelor’s degree, academic transcripts, etc. Here is a list of some of the standard master’s in English online admission requirements across colleges:

The Graduate Record Examination or GRE score is often a criterion for students to enroll in graduate schools. GRE scores measure the applicant’s preparedness for success in their academic pursuits. However, many colleges waive this requirement or make it an optional submission, where students can choose whether they want to submit their scores or not. Some universities that offer master’s in English online no GRE programs include Southern New Hampshire University, Arizona State University, and Eastern Illinois University.

The master’s in English online open the doors to a plethora of career opportunities in academia, government agencies, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Because English is used almost everywhere – from project planning and teaching to journalism and content writing, graduates can often find work in a field that aligns with their interests. Here are a few examples of diverse careers one could take up after completing the master’s in English online:

By completing an English Language certification, students can improve their chances of being employed by companies or advancing their careers. Certification also establishes a candidate’s credibility and professionalism and proves their command of English. Students pursuing online master’s in English program can consider some of these certifications during or after graduation:

The Test of English as a Foreign Language

The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL scores are accepted by universities and organizations in the United States and worldwide. It can be completed in just two-three hours by students online. The test scores help students show their prowess in the English language in different domains like listening, reading, and comprehension.

The International English Language Testing System

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS scores help students demonstrate high English language abilities. The test is often an essential requirement for those who want to increase their academic and job opportunities in various sectors.

The Test of English for International Communication

The Test of English for International Communication or TOEIC scores are beneficial for students who want to measure their proficiency in English, especially in the domains of writing, speaking, reading, and listening. These scores can be used to measure their strengths in English and apply for appropriate colleges or jobs.

ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages

ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages or AAPPL assesses the student’s ability to engage in linguistic tasks on social, academic, and personal relevance across various modes of communication. Test takers will receive a detailed written report of AAPPL scores for each tested component.