Please note: The Department of English is not accepting applications to the Online MA during the 2022-2023 Academic Year. 

Our Online MA is integrated with our traditional Master's in English. All graduate courses are taught by our tenured and tenure-track faculty, emphasizing writing and small group discussion. 

Requirements for the online MA are identical to our self-funded MA: 30 graduate credits, of which at least 15 must be taken at the 8000 level. Choose an emphasis in literature or creative writing.

Coursework includes 

• online asynchronous courses (7000 level) 
• synchronous zoom-based seminars (8000 level) held in the evening
• individual work with a thesis advisor
• all courses taught by full faculty in small group settings
• begin in Fall, Spring, or Summer and take courses year round

Literature Emphasis:

• At least 12 credits of online synchronous graduate seminars at the 8000 level, distributed over four areas:
  • Theory and Criticism
  • Literature before 1700
  • Literature from 1700-1900
  • Literature after 1900
• Up to 15 credits (5 courses) from our online asynchronous graduate courses at the 7000 level
• 3-6 credits of individual thesis work with a faculty advisor

Creative Writing Emphasis:

• At least 12 credits of synchronous 8000-level seminars: 
  • 3 credits of Theory and Criticism 
  • 3 credits of Creative Writing seminars
  • 6 credits of online synchronous graduate seminars taken from two of the following three areas:
    • Literature before 1700
    • Literature from 1700-1900
    • Literature after 1900
• Up to 12 credits of online asynchronous graduate courses at the 7000 level including creative writing workshops
• 6 credits of individual thesis work with a faculty advisor

The program may be completed either full-time or part-time, but according to university rules must be finished within eight years.

Please note: The Department of English is not accepting applications to the Online MA during the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Applications for Summer are due January 1, for Fall are due April 1, and Nov. 15 for Spring. For more information about applying, see our admissions page. If you have been out of school for several years and lack academic references and/or a writing sample, consider starting with our graduate certificate program to gain some experience and build your portfolio. All graduate credits taken for the certificate can be transferred to the MA if you apply and are accepted.

Tuition: $394.90 per credit hour plus technology fee. See cashier's office for more information (in distance programs, graduate resident & non-resident students are charged the same fee).