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Online Master’s in English MA Degree Programs

Michael Hangge, an SNHU alum, at the desk in his home office in front of a computer monitor, holding open a text book with some passages highlighted and taking notes on a piece of paper.

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 12

Term length 10 weeks

Program Overview Why get an online master’s in English?

Whether you work – or aspire to work – in education, marketing, human resources, public policy or any number of other fields where problem-solving skills are in high demand, an online Master of Arts (MA) in English from Southern New Hampshire University goes well beyond reading the works of famous authors and analyzing layers of meaning. It can help you master critical thinking, enrich your subject matter expertise and expand your career opportunities.

Skills you'll learn:

  • How to use theoretical arguments in original interpretation of literary texts
  • A deep understanding of literary subjects
  • How to draw connections between literature and social/cultural history
  • How to compose essays of depth that contribute to the field of study
Michael Hangge, an SNHU alum, wearing a grey zippered sweatshirt standing with his arms folded with a bus branded with SNHU colors visibile in the background.

Courses & Curriculum Master’s in English classes that develop your transferable skills

The online master’s in English curriculum is designed to strengthen your skills in the critical analysis of literature and provide a broad understanding of literary traditions. Our courses are taught by highly credentialed and accomplished instructors with deep insights into the field and a passion for literary pursuits.

Degree Courses

Online English degree courses

Your online master’s degree in English culminates in a capstone course. Students satisfy this requirement by completing a thesis or submitting a portfolio of literary analysis.

Courses may include:

Course ID: ENG 550
This course is an introduction to the following topics in English linguistics: history of English, etymology, vocabulary 'morphology', phonology, dictionaries, syntax, semantics, dialects, discourse analysis, and child language acquisition. The course is designed for students who want to learn about the English language as preparation for teaching, or becoming better writers, or for studying literature. Students will have the opportunity to research, write about, and present on a linguistic topic of individual interest, such as the language of advertising or propaganda.
Course ID: ENG 555
Students in this course will study key histories, theories, and technologies on which we ground composition pedagogies. They will research, discuss, and write about how theoretical concepts impact the teaching of writing; they will reflect on, develop, and share their own pedagogical practices.
Course ID: LIT 500
This course is an introduction to the major schools of contemporary literary theory, and an examination of principal exponents of these theories. The student will become familiar with the most important features of psychoanalytic criticism, Marxism and feminism and examine the meaning of structuralism and post-structuralism. In addition, the course affords an opportunity to practice applying the theories to specific literary texts.
Course ID: LIT 502
This course traces the development of American literature from the nation's founding to the late Twentieth Century. Readings may include classics by Bradford, Bradstreet, Wheatly, Crevecoeur, Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Hawthorne, Whitman, Melville, Douglass, James, Crane, Chopin, Gilman, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Hurston, O'Connor, Pynchon, Major, Morrison, Cisneros, and Alexie among others. Different authors are highlighted in each term, and all readings are situated within specific historical, cultural, philosophical, political, and literary contexts.
Course ID: LIT 503
This course examines major prose and poetry of English writers from the Anglo-Saxon period to the late Twentieth Century. Readings may include classics by Chaucer, Spencer, Milton, Shakespeare, Wollstonecraft, Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Tennyson, Eliot, Bronte, Browning, Hardy, Woolf, Barnes, Barry, and Mieville among others. Different authors are highlighted in each term, and all readings are situated within specific historical, cultural, philosophical, political, and literary contexts.
Course ID: LIT 652
This course uses a thematic approach to the works from many literary traditions outside British and American. Specific selections and authors vary each term according to the theme. This is an upper-level course involving close reading, analysis and writing in seminar format.
Course ID: LIT 690
Students register for this course in their final term, as a culmination of their work in the program. They satisfy the requirement by completing a thesis, submitting a portfolio of their literary-critical writing along with a retrospective evaluative essay, or submitting a compilation of comprehensive literary analysis essays on topics in English and American literature.

Visit the course catalog to view the full MA in English curriculum.

Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025

Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025

Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

10-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
5 ways SNHU makes the admission process "easy-peasy" #shorts

Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

It's easy, fast and free.

Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

Master's degree candidates must also submit a personal statement. Students with an undergraduate GPA below 2.75 are eligible for provisional acceptance.

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online graduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 36-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$637
$1,911
$22,932
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$470
$1,410
$16,920

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$1,911 $3,822 $5,733 $7,644
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199

If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288

If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with a master’s in English?

With so many different career opportunities, job growth and salary will vary for English degree holders. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning a master's degree could open the door to a higher salary and lower odds of unemployment.1

Occupations

The online master’s in English expands your career possibilities in writing-related fields.

Opportunities range from helping aspiring authors write bestsellers to editing stories for online newspapers, magazines and other publications.

Demand for this area of expertise remains steady in higher education and nonprofits as well as with the military or federal government, according to the BLS.1

Copywriters develop a craft driven by ideas or concepts. They specialize in writing short copy, such as digital ads, email marketing campaigns and social media marketing. Content writers often write longer pieces such as blog posts, ebooks and white papers.

15k+

openings projected each year for writers and authors, on average, through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

$73,690

median annual wage for writers and authors in 2023, according to BLS.1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

Carolyn Jameson '21.
Carolyn Jameson '21.

I believe one of the greatest takeaways I've gained from SNHU is the confidence I carry in my writing ability and research skills. These were both developed through my graduate work at SNHU.

Carolyn Jameson '21

Frequently Asked Questions

Today, most English majors go into advertising, marketing and public relations, fields where a demonstrated proficiency in organization, communication and writing are critical. But many master’s in English graduates go into teaching, where subject matter expertise can increase their odds of a salary bump.

Dr. Christopher Lee with the text Dr. Christopher LeeStill, others find their skills translate equally well to educational product design, human resources, nonprofit administration or sales.1 Solid writing skills are particularly prized in sales, where closing deals depends on strong proposals and compelling pitches.

Dr. Christopher Lee, an associate dean of liberal arts at Southern New Hampshire University, sums it up this way. “A master's provides the same transferable core skills of critical thinking, research, analysis, reading comprehension, empathy and others ... but at a higher level of qualification for higher-level positions,” he said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors held about 151,200 jobs in 2022, meaning it's a competitive field with the opportunity to expand. Within that population, 62% are self-employed workers, giving you the flexibility to work nearly anywhere that you have access to a computer. As of May 2023, writers and authors earned a median annual wage of $73,690, with the highest 10% earning more than $148,240. That same year, public relations specialists and technical writers earned median annual wages of $66,750 and $80,050, respectively.1

Furthermore, earning a master's degree could open the door to a higher salary and lower odds of unemployment.1 In 2023, master's degree holders reportedly earned $1,737 each week – over 16% higher than those with the highest educational attainment of a bachelor's.1 Unemployment rates for master's degree holders were also lower than their bachelor's-holding counterparts (2.0% versus 2.2%, respectively).1

A respected, accredited online master's degree in English could be a perfect gateway to help advance your career.

As a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Southern New Hampshire University is committed to offering affordable, high-quality education pathways that meet students where they are.

"I chose SNHU because it allowed me to complete my entire master’s degree online," said Carolyn Jameson '21. "As a full-time high school teacher and full-time parent, I knew that an online program was the only way I could possibly complete my coursework without having to sacrifice time with my children."

Knowing that each course followed a similar cadence meant that Jameson could also plan her time ahead.

"It helped that the courses follow the same format and have similar expectations," she said. "And while each of the professors brought their own touch to the course, I was quickly able to understand how to prioritize my study time and understood the deadlines. While I had taken an online course or two in my undergraduate studies, I appreciated the uniformity of expectations at SNHU."

With clear expectations set, Jameson felt empowered to keep going – even when she faced unexpected challenges.

"The [online MA in English] allowed me to keep working, keep momming and helped me complete my master’s degree at my own pace," Jameson said. "There were a few instances when 'life happened' – a death in the family, an unforeseen career chance and move, health issues – and not only was my advisor beyond helpful, my professors were very understanding and willing to work with me when needed."

Generally speaking, it takes 2 years to complete an MA in English. But the answer to this question often comes down to the individual, plus three common factors in everyone's life: time, cost and work/family obligations.

At SNHU, most graduate students complete the 36-credit program in two years, although it’s not unusual to find students who finish in 18 or even 15 months by taking two courses per 10-week term.

"I absolutely appreciated the 10-week, 5 terms a year format," said Carolyn Jameson '21. "I felt like I was able to see the end in sight, and when you are as busy as I was, that was very encouraging!"

The price tag can vary dramatically depending on the institution and whether you complete your degree online or on campus.

With one of the lowest graduate online tuition rates in the country, Southern New Hampshire University offers an affordable way to advance your career. At just $637 per credit, the 36-credit online master’s in English is only $22,932.

We also have a generous transfer policy, accepting up to 12 credits from your previous institutions – or a third of your 36-credit program. By transferring 4 classes, you could save over $7,000 on your MA in English.

Yes! While a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is a prerequisite for most graduate programs, your bachelor’s does not have to be directly related to your master’s. In other words, you don't need an undergraduate online English degree to earn a master's in English.

At SNHU, accessibility to education is at the core of the university’s mission. In creating high-quality, affordable and innovative pathways to educational success, we remove many barriers. The university has a generous transfer policy and offers credit for professional experience.

For graduate admission, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 is required for full acceptance to the online master’s in English program. We also waive the requirement for GRE or GMAT test scores.

An MA in English differs from an MFA in several ways. First is the time consideration. The MA typically requires fewer credits than the MFA.

Academically, MA in English courses are focused on studying literature and literary theory. Along with honing your writing abilities, you'll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills while you study the various lenses through which you can view a work of literature. You'll also study how sentences are structured and how words in the English language have changed over time.

Most MA in English majors choose a professional path in advertising, marketing, public relations or teaching, fields where demonstrated proficiency in organization, communication and writing are critical.

The MFA degree path, on the other hand, is for creative writers focused on honing their craft with the purpose of becoming professional writers or novelists. By the end of your MFA program, you should have completed a polished manuscript.

MFA programs, whether taken in a traditional campus setting or through an online MFA, can take anywhere from a year to four years to finish. Many MFA programs, such as the Mountainview Low-Residency MFA, require a residency, which is a period of study with other students either on campus or at a specific site. Residencies can take place over a weekend or last several weeks.

Some MFA programs require students on a full scholarship to teach undergraduate classes. Others offer students the opportunity to teach in exchange for a discounted tuition rate. For those who plan on teaching at the university level after graduating, a program with a teaching component can provide valuable experience.

Read more about MA vs MFA.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (viewed June 4, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm (viewed June 4, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm (viewed June 4, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed June 4, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/survey-researchers.htm (viewed June 4, 2024).

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.