Most Affordable Online Master’s in English Programs

One of Tennessee's major public colleges, UofM offers an online master's in English with concentrations in composition studies, English as a second language (ESL), linguistics, literature, and professional writing. The ESL concentration is available fully online, while the other concentrations may require some campus courses.

Each concentration requires a minimum of 33 credits, with 30 credits dedicated to academic courses and three credits dedicated to a graduate thesis. Course requirements vary widely among concentrations. Professional writing students, for example, complete courses including academic genre and scholarly publishing, research methods in writing, and technical editing.

Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree in English. However, candidates who lack the appropriate academic background may enroll in the program after completing up to 12 upper-division credits of English courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years

One of the top private colleges in California, NU offers a fully online master's in English literature that trains students in the sustained analysis and criticism of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. The program also offers an optional specialization in rhetoric, which emphasizes the use of language and image in modes of cultural production.

Candidates complete a total of 45 quarter credits, including 27 credits of core courses and 18 credits of specialization courses. The program core includes an introduction to graduate English studies, a seminar in literary theory, and two courses on a literary period or theme.

Students complete one course at a time in a condensed four-week format. Candidates can attend courses fully online or at one of several campus locations around California and Nevada.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years

A public college based in Valdosta, Georgia, VSU offers an online master of arts in English studies for language arts teachers. This fully online program prepares candidates to teach English and language arts at the grade school level, highlighting the intersection of educational theory, pedagogy, and literature.

The 36-credit program includes 27 credits of core courses and nine credits of electives. The program core covers key topics in literature and education, including British literature, American literature, creative writing, and composition. Electives explore specialized topics such as the history of rhetorical theory, language in school, and the study of English language learners. Candidates also complete one special topics course in creative writing, American literature, or British literature.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in English. However, candidates who lack the proper academic background can complete 15 credits of English prerequisite courses to gain program eligibility, including introductory courses in criticism and research, British literature, and American literature.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years

A major provider of distance education in North Carolina, ECU offers one of the state's top online master's in English degrees. The program features fully online concentrations in technical and professional communication and multicultural and transnational literature. The program also offers concentrations in literature, English studies, rhetoric and composition, creative writing, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. However, these concentrations may include on-campus classes.

All students complete 33 credits, including a three-credit research methods course, 18 credits of concentration courses, six credits of elective courses, and either a six-credit thesis or six credits of additional coursework. Students on the non-thesis track must also complete a comprehensive assessment project that demonstrates deep knowledge of program content.

ECU offers online education to students around the country, but those who reside outside of North Carolina should ensure that the program meets local authorization standards, particularly if they plan to pursue teaching after graduation.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

A private college based in Dobbs Ferry, New York, Mercy offers an online master's in English literature that emphasizes the theories and methodologies of literary interpretation, highlighting key works of American, British, and world literature.

The 30-credit program includes courses on the theory and practice of literary criticism, writing and literary forms, and key periods of British and American literature. Candidates must also complete a three-credit graduate thesis, which requires original research on an approved English topic. At the end of the program, all students must pass a comprehensive written exam that evaluates mastery of major program topics.

Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, though Mercy offers conditional acceptance for some applicants who fail to meet the GPA requirement. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

One of the country's largest public colleges, ASU enrolls over 100,000 students across multiple campus locations and online. The school's online master's in English emphasizes analytical competency, critical thinking, communication, and creativity. Candidates can complete all courses online with no required campus visits.

The 30-credit program highlights the intersection of historical, cultural, and literary study, building broadly applicable skills in writing and communication. Courses include approaches to research, teaching young adult literature, magical realism as a global genre, composition studies, and linguistics. All students also complete a graduate capstone seminar at the end of the program.

Applicants to the English program must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on their final 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. They must also submit a statement of purpose, a current resume, and two letters of recommendation.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

Located about 85 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, Minnesota State University-Mankato serves more than 14,000 students annually through on-campus and online programs. The school offers an online master's in English with concentrations in English literature and English studies and technical communication.

The English literature program covers major topics in British literature, American literature, world literature, and literary theory and criticism. Candidates can choose from electives on topics such as multicultural American literature, gender in literature, and topics in children's and young adult literature.

The technical communication program covers key topics in technical editing, technical documentation, and rhetorical theory. Candidates can also explore specialized elective topics such as usability, desktop publishing, and technical and scientific prose.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

A public college based in Flagstaff, NAU offers an online master's in English with concentrations in literature and professional writing. The fully online program emphasizes theory and knowledge, analysis and critical thinking, and research and application.

The literature track emphasizes the interpretation and analysis of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Courses include literary criticism and theory, rhetoric and composition theory, and research in literary studies. Candidates may be allowed to complete up to nine credits of relevant elective coursework outside of the English department with faculty approval.

The professional writing track trains students for writing positions in business, education, and other fields. Core courses focus on professional foundations, technical editing, and workplace environment. Candidates also complete electives, which may be drawn from disciplines including English, communications, and education.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

Serving West Texas' Big Bend region, Sul Ross offers an online master's in English literature for distance learners around the state. The program focuses on the interpretation of literary texts, with a heavy emphasis on research techniques. Candidates can complete either a thesis or a non-thesis option.

Regardless of their thesis track, all candidates complete 18 core credits, divided evenly among courses in British literature, American literature, and language/writing/theory. Thesis candidates complete 30 credits total, while non-thesis candidates must complete 36 credits. Typical courses include early American literature, literature of the feminist movement, transnational literature, and composition and pedagogy at hispanic-serving institutions.

Candidates who choose the thesis track must perform significant original research on an approved literary topic. Completed under close faculty supervision, the thesis commonly serves students who plan to pursue a doctorate in English after graduation.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years

A major public college located in Lubbock, Texas Tech hosts an online master's in English that explores advanced topics in literature, linguistics, and creative writing, preparing students for careers in education, publishing, academia, and related fields.

English candidates can choose from 10 concentrations, including comparative literature, film and media studies, literature and social justice, globalization and translation, and creative writing. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options, both of which include a total of 36 credits.

Core courses focus on literary foundations, literary genres, British literature, American literature, and comparative literature. All English students must also demonstrate reading proficiency in a second language, translation proficiency, or proficiency in linguistics or another language-related practice.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

Building widely applicable skills in textual analysis and writing, ODU's online master's in English offers concentrations in literature, rhetoric and composition, professional writing, and the teaching of English. All students either complete a research thesis worth up to six credits or six credits of additional English courses.

Applicants for the literature, rhetoric, and teaching tracks must hold at least 24 undergraduate English credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The professional writing track does not require applicants to have an English background, though ODU still requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. All applicants must also submit GRE scores, a professional or scholarly writing sample, and a short personal essay.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

One of the top public colleges in the Midwest, UNK enrolls more than 6,900 students annually. The school's online master's in English features four focus areas: literature; creative writing; childhood and youth studies; and composition, rhetoric, and language.

Regardless of their focus area, all candidates complete a minimum of 36 credits. The curriculum includes core courses, focus courses, electives, and a thesis. Core courses examine American literature, British literature, and literary theory/criticism.

Candidates complete 12 credits of focus courses, building specialized knowledge in one area of study. For example, in the childhood studies track, candidates take courses such as children's literature, adolescent literature, fairy tales and folklore, and the graphic novel.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

A public college based in western Pennsylvania, SRU offers a professionally focused online master's in English that emphasizes writing for fields such as business, government, nonprofit administration, law, and education. This accelerated program enables candidates to graduate in just 15 months of full-time study.

The 30-credit program focuses more on the practical applications of writing than literary criticism and analysis. Typical courses include rhetorical theory, digital writing and publishing, linguistics and writing, consultancy in writing in the disciplines, and researching academic and professional writing.

Applicants do not need an undergraduate degree in English, but SRU does require a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Applicants must also submit a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation.

• Estimated years of completion: Two years 

A private college based in Columbus, ODU hosts around 1,500 students annually. The school's online master's in English literature stresses literary history, writing skills, and critical analysis. The program offers credentials that enable grade 7-12 teachers to instruct dual enrollment and college-level English courses. To accommodate working educators, the program schedule follows typical K-12 academic calendars.

The 33-credit program features a required course in graduate writing and research, along with 8-9 additional courses covering important genres and periods in American, British, and world literature.

Candidates choose from two culminating project options: a six-credit thesis or a three-credit capstone. The thesis requires a comprehensive research project, while the capstone requires a 15-page seminar paper and an integrative project on a relevant area of English studies. Capstone candidates must also complete one additional English course.

• Estimated years of completion: Two Years 

Based in Plainview, Texas, WBU also operates campus locations in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alaska, and Hawaii, along with a distance education program. The school's online master's in English literature builds critical thinking, cultural awareness, textual analysis, and intensive research skills.

The 37-credit program emphasizes British and American literature, literary theory, and historical literary periods. Students take classes on topics like American romanticism and realism, usage and style, structures of language, young adult literature, and teaching college composition. Candidates complete either a six-credit thesis or six credits of additional English courses to culminate the degree.

Applicants need at least 12 credits of upper-division undergraduate English courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also either possess or be willing to pursue reading proficiency in a foregin language.

• Estimated years of completion: Two Years