Online Master’s in English MA Degree Programs

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.

Still, 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.