Master of Arts in English
Our Master’s in English is an affordable, flexible degree that offers studies in literature, rhetoric, composition theory, language theory, and technical communication.
With year-round courses, our English master’s degree program is designed for working professionals to meet your academic needs and career goals. Choose from two concentrations, each with thesis and non-thesis options.
- Literature enhances our students’ knowledge for teaching English at the secondary level, including dual-credit courses, or university level, as well as doctoral degree programs in literature.
- Technical Communication and Rhetoric supports individuals planning a career in technical writing or seeking doctoral programs in technical communication, rhetoric, or composition and enhances the skill set for working professionals who write frequently.
Why Study English?
Studies in English encompass literature, rhetoric, technical communication, linguistics, digital humanities, genre, discourse analysis, disability rhetoric, and so much more. Study English to improve your ability to communicate through written and spoken language and complement areas such as history and communication studies.
What Can You Do With Your Master’s Degree in English?
By honing your research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, you will open up opportunities in a variety of career pathways. For example, enter the growing and lucrative field of technical writing and editing or prepare for the demands of teaching in a college classroom in both composition and literature.
Our graduates use their Masters in English degrees to get jobs in numerous fields such as writing, editing, journalism, publishing, information design, and many other areas of business. These are just a few of their roles:
- Secondary Education Teacher
- Adjunct Faculty or College Professor
- Managing Editor
- Director of Communications
- Content Writer or Editor
A Master’s in English also provides a way to move into educational administration or college-level leadership with additional certification.
How Much Do English Graduates Make?
In 2018, the median annual salary for technical writers was more than $71,000, for high school teachers was more than $60,000, and for post-secondary teachers was nearly $80,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Estimated Completion
36 Credit Hours (18+ months)
Application Process
- Admission to Tarleton State University – Graduate Studies
- Additional Program Application Requirements
Cost
Locations Available
- Fully Online (A student has to qualify for distance learner status in order to be charged as a Distance Learner. To apply for Distance Learner status, fill out the Campus Update Request Form. For more information, please email [email protected]).
Department
College
Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton!
Why Study English?
Continue, enrich, and enhance your education with solid coursework that can help you earn a job promotion or gain an extra edge in the job market.
Apply for a graduate assistantship, during which you’ll work as a consultant in the Writing Center. As a GA, you may also observe experienced composition teachers and discuss contemporary approaches to teaching strategies with them. After observing composition classes, you may become a Graduate Teaching Assistant and teach your own composition classes.
A variety of opportunities are available for individual and group research that allows you to develop new approaches or new perspectives on English topics in a supportive environment. You can explore topics you’re interested in or topics that you can apply in your current workplace or classroom.
Study abroad exposes you to different cultures, encourages you to face challenges, and helps you gain a new perspective on English and language. You can take these experiences to your workplace or classroom. MA in English graduate students have traveled to study abroad destinations such as Colombia, London, South Korea and Spain.
Study abroad exposes you to different cultures, encourages you to face challenges, and helps you gain a new perspective on English and language. You can take these experiences to your workplace or classroom. MA in English graduate students have traveled to study abroad destinations such as Colombia, London, South Korea and Spain.
Several program scholarships for graduate students in English are available, such as the Dick Smith Scholarships and Bob Hallmark Scholarship. You may also qualify for awards from the College of Graduate Studies or federal financial aid.
What Classes Will You Take as an English Graduate Student?
Explore a variety of English topics, such as professional writing, studies in rhetoric, digital humanities, and American and British literature. Through the diverse coursework, you’ll develop marketable job skills and knowledge, including technical editing, grant and proposal writing, bibliography methods, and research analysis.
View all required classes for the English master’s degree.
Accreditations
Attend a Graduate Open House or Graduate Student Fair on campus and talk with representatives from the College of Graduate Studies and the MA in English program. The Graduate Open House provides an overview of the College of Graduate Studies, applying to graduate school and financial aid. The Graduate Student Fair provides an opportunity to talk with professors from the MA in English program.
Get involved with student and professional organizations — wherever you are — for additional educational opportunities, social events and professional development. As a graduate student in the English MA degree program, you may be particularly interested in English Club, Sigma Tau Delta, The Modern Language Association, and Tarleton’s annual English and Languages Week.
Our English master’s degree program gives you the opportunity to utilize resources such as the Dick Smith Library with online databases and resources, online class discussion boards and the Writing Center.