Best Master's in English Degree Programs

Typically, students seeking an MA will have earned a bachelor's in English or creative writing. Some programs may prefer or require an undergraduate degree in a related field. However, many programs accept students with various undergraduate degrees, especially in related fields such as arts and humanities, or students who have achieved academic excellence. Prospective students will submit a writing sample in their application process that can demonstrate excellence in English, regardless of previous fields of study.

To qualify for a master's program, prospective students must have completed an undergraduate degree. All programs will require a writing sample relevant to a student's concentration. For instance, students who plan to pursue literature should submit literary criticism while students specializing in creative writing will submit fiction samples.

Samples vary in length and content but are often between 15-25 pages. Students should also expect to provide transcripts, three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors familiar with their writing skills, a personal statement, and to pay all relevant application fees. In some cases, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required, but as of 2021, most programs have dropped GRE requirements.

There are many reasons to get a master's in English. For many individuals, earning a master's in English is a gateway to teaching. Some students may seek an MA in order to continue to a doctoral path with the intention of teaching at a four-year university.

Earning an MA followed by admission to a strong doctoral program with placement options after graduation may start an aspiring professor on a solid track to tenure. Others may choose to teach at a secondary or sometimes postsecondary level directly after earning their MA. For still others, English may be a passion expressed in literature or creative writing that they feel bound to pursue through further academic training.

Students should research programs through their websites to determine if the cohort size, faculty credentials and program requirements accord with what they want from their master's degree. Researching placement of a program's alumni can also give a prospective student a good idea of whether a program aligns with their career or future academic track. Information on alumni placement can often be found on a program's website.

Another important consideration for many students is the financial aid available to graduate students. Programs vary and may offer full, partial, or limited financial aid through assistantships, grants, fellowships or scholarships. Program specific financial aid information can usually be found on the program website, or students can contact the financial aid department directly.

When determining the best program, prospective students should also carefully weigh what area of study they are most interested in. Since English has many relevant concentrations, programs vary widely across schools. Students should ensure their program of choice offers the best education in their specific interest by researching course catalogs and program plans at different schools.

English courses will focus on critical engagement with written work. Coursework varies dependent on programs. Analysis of historical social trends, the craft of writing, creative workshops and teaching methods may also feature prominently in coursework depending on the program. Some programs will end with a capstone or thesis project. A thesis or capstone project typically consists of a collection of creative works or extensive research and reading culminating in a dissertation on an approved area of interest.

English Foundational Courses

Most English students, regardless of their concentration, will be expected to read and research literature and literary criticism. Students will also be expected to produce coherent and compelling essays analyzing works based on contemporary literary theories. However, foundational courses vary according to programs and concentrations. Courses considered core coursework in some concentrations may be elective or not included in other concentrations. For this reason, the core coursework of a student concentrating in literature will look quite different from that of a student concentrating in English teaching.

Some English core courses include:

• World Literature
• Fiction/Non-fiction workshops
• Teaching theories
• Rhetoric & English language courses

English Specialist & Elective Courses

There are many specialist and elective courses to choose from in English depending on a student's primary area of study. Students can sharpen their interests in specific literary movements, focus intensively on the works of specific authors such as Shakespeare or Austen, or take professional enrichment opportunities through internships.

Some common elective courses include:

• American & English Literature
• 16th, 17th, 18th Century & Medieval Literature
• Gender, Race & Sexuality Studies
• Seminars in Genres
• Popular Culture Studies
• Optional Internships

Licensure & Certification in English

Master's degree-holders who intend to teach English in middle, high school, or sometimes community college can earn a license in English. Licensure and certification vary by state, so the first step is to identify the requirements in one's state. Interested individuals can go to the Department of Education certification requirements to find state specific information.

All public schools require licensure or certification to teach English, though some private schools do not. For most teaching positions, students will need to complete a student-teaching program. Teacher training can be completed while earning an MA or BA, or through stand-alone certification programs offered by many universities. At least a bachelor's degree is generally required to hold a license to English. Prospective English teachers will also need to pass a background check and must usually pass a state-approved exam before applying with the appropriate state authority.

Concentrations allow students to dive into the particular aspect of English that most excites them. Students who are passionate about literature may concentrate their study there in order to better equip them for jobs involving literature. Literature concentrations will focus intensively on reading literature, responding through critical analysis and engaging with the academic community on prevailing literary theories and research. Students will generally complete their work with a research-oriented thesis that proposes their own creative response to a text of their choice or a capstone project.

While creative writing is often offered as a separate MFA program, other schools consider the subject a concentration for an English MA. Students pursuing creative writing as their concentration will read and respond to written works and produce a great volume of original work in their field, either non-fiction, fiction or poetry. Courses will allow students to workshop creative writing through peer-review. At the conclusion of a creative writing program, students will typically produce a portfolio of written work.

A last concentration in English is teaching, sometimes called Rhetoric and Composition. This concentration can focus on teaching English to certain grade levels or second language learners.

Students will take coursework in teaching and finish their degree with practicum that engages the student in teaching experiences.

After graduating with a master's degree, students can pursue a doctoral degree in English. Some programs admit students directly after they have earned a BA in English, so those seeking a Ph.D. in English may choose to apply directly after earning their BA. When applying for a Ph.D. in English, students should expect to provide transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a writing sample and a resume. GRE scores may be required but are often optional.

What MA degree-holders choose to do with their degrees will depend largely on their interests and specializations. A curriculum in English equips students with excellent critical thinking, communication and writing skills that can make them highly desirable for careers that require advanced mastery of English such as law, history or psychology.

MA degree-holders may also choose to teach at various levels or earn doctoral degrees. Students specialized in creative writing or literature may have a passion for literary pursuits that leads them to work in the publishing industry as writers or editors. The careers and salaries for MAs in English are as broad and varied as the skills learned through its study.

Job Outlook for a Master's in English

While English majors have a plethora of careers to choose from, opportunities in publishing are expected to decline over the next ten years as the publishing industry reduces in response to the challenges of the digital age. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected employment for writers and authors to decline by two percent between 2019-2029. Similarly, editors can expect to see a seven percent decline over the same period.

However, earning a master's degree can increase salary and reduce unemployment. According to data provided by the BLS, in 2019, master's in English degree holders earned an average of $249 more on a weekly basis than those with bachelor's degrees. Unemployment also decreases by 0.2% between bachelor's degree-holders and those with master's degrees. These trends are markedly noted in fields that often require or prefer advanced degrees, such as teaching. Additionally, students seeking careers in teaching can expect to see job growth that is on trend with or better than the national average, especially in postsecondary teaching.

How to Become an English Professor

Becoming an English professor can be a more promising career choice for those who want to enter a field with greater employment opportunities and a stable income. In May 2018, the BLS reported that the average wage for English language and literature professors was $78,150. The next year, the BLS projected employment for postsecondary English teachers to grow by 2% between 2019-2029. Though overall growth for postsecondary English teachers is somewhat slower than the average rate of 4% for all occupations, certain employers, such as state junior colleges or private colleges and institutions, are expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 9% or more.

A graduate degree is required to teach English past high school. Most four-year universities and colleges will require a Ph.D., but there are some opportunities for teaching community college with a master's degree. In some cases, doctoral students who have a bachelor's degree may also teach at some schools. After earning a graduate degree, experience is preferred but not necessarily required for all positions. Some students may have earned experience teaching already, especially doctoral students, those with Ph.Ds. and MA degree-holders who have concentrated in teaching English.

How to Become an Editor

Editors can work in any field that produces written material to review, correct and perfect, including newspapers, periodicals, books, film, radio and television, online content, and technical writing for business and information services in various sectors.

Some typical editorial duties include fact-checking, correction of grammatical or spelling mistakes, reading content for clarity, revising and approving final copies, and working with the original author toward improvement of the text. Often, different types of editors perform unique tasks. For instance, copy editors typically proofread works to ensure that mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation or meaning are caught before final versions are formalized. Meanwhile, executive editors often make content and hiring decisions and may work closely with authors through contract negotiations.

As of May 2019, the BLS reported that the average wage for editors was $71,910. Usually, editors must have at least a bachelor's degree in English or a related field like journalism or communication. Job experience in the field is preferred by many employers. As such, editors often begin their careers through work as writers, editorial assistants or through internship. An excellent grasp of the mechanics of English, writing skills, and experience with computers are all also necessary for those who seek to become editors.

Financial aid can be a crucial element in determining the best program for prospective graduate students in English. Students should initially fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Next, students should determine what level of funding their graduate program offers. Students should look for assistantships or fellowships through their programs. Assistantships are conditional upon teaching a certain numbers of hours per week or semester, and amounts vary according to the school. Fellowships are usually merit based scholarships. Most schools have some form of financial support for graduate students, though some do not. It is important to confirm what programs are available while researching degree programs.

Students should also seek information on grants or fellowships through outside sources as well, especially in their areas of concentration. For instance, students who intend to teach English literature can pursue teaching related grants. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute awards grants between $5,000 to $15,000 to graduate students who will teach at a college level. Grants are non-binding, but students must intend to teach after graduation.

Grants for creative writing may also be found through the National Endowment of the Arts, which offers a $25,000 grant to fiction writers who have previously published at least five short stories. This highly competitive grant alternates between awarding prose or poetry writers on a yearly basis and eligibility may be found on their website.

For more information on grants or fellowships, students should contact the financial aid offices of their prospective programs and always independently research opportunities online.