How to Get a Master's Degree in English
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The academic field of English encompasses more than Shakespeare and poetic language--it emphasizes the strong communication skills and analytical thinking that employers value. While traditionally many students of English have gone into education, journalism, and public relations, their ability to communicate effectively also makes them an asset to large corporations and nonprofit agencies. As Ernest Suarez, chairman of the English department at The Catholic University of America told CNN Money, "Businesses tell us they like to hire English majors because they feel that they can think. They've got the writing and analytical skills they need."
A master's degree in English picks up where the bachelor's degree leaves off, allowing students to dig deeper into a given time period or type of literature. The master's degree emphasizes literary analysis, critical thinking, and strong writing, and it demonstrates to employers an applicant's ability to think and communicate effectively. Graduates of English master's degree programs are also qualified to teach at the junior college level, or they may choose to continue on into a PhD program in English and become a university professor.
With online education and distance learning programs, you can earn a master's degree online without leaving your current job. Use the following guide to decide whether an on-campus or online master's degree program is right for you and learn more about the application process.
An Overview of the Master's Degree in English
English master's degree programs generally focus on English literature, comparative literature, or creative writing, and program requirements can vary from school to school. Depending which field you're interested in, you will most likely pursue a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Master of Arts in English (MA)
Traditional English master's degree programs lead to a Master of Arts (MA) degree and take one to three years to complete. In addition to general literature courses and graduate seminars, most English MA programs require students to become proficient in a foreign language and culminate their degree with an original research paper or master's thesis. Many colleges and universities offer online MA programs in English, which allow you to earn a master's degree online while continuing to work full time. |
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
Students interested in advancing their creative writing abilities often pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing. MFA programs generally take two to three years to complete, and students specialize in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or screenwriting. Some MFA programs require proficiency in a foreign language and completion of literature seminars, while others focus exclusively on creative writing through writing workshops and peer review. The MFA is the terminal degree in creative writing, and MFA graduates with publication records often go on to teach at the community college or university level.
How to Choose a Master's Degree Program in English
Whether you want to pursue 17th-century British literature or become an award-winning novelist, research is essential when considering master's degree programs. This guide will aid your search by helping you define your priorities, search for programs that meet your needs, and compare programs to one another.
Step 1: Define What You're Looking For
The first step to researching master's degree programs is figuring out what you're looking for. By considering educational format, accreditation, and location, you can create a comprehensive list of schools that meet your basic requirements.
Educational Format: On-Campus or Online?
Advances in learning technology mean you don't always need a classroom to earn a master's degree. Many working adults earn degrees online, while others opt for traditional, on-campus programs. In order to determine whether an online, on-campus, or hybrid program is best for you, consider the following factors:
Schedule: Do you plan to work full time while attending school?
- Yes: As a full-time worker, you face a packed schedule that may not offer much flexibility, so an online degree program may work best. If you choose to earn a master's degree online, you can review materials anytime, take classes at night and on weekends, and skip the commute to school.
- No: If you don't need to work while you're in school, you'll have time to take advantage of all that an on-campus program has to offer, such as excellent facilities and a thriving campus community.
Career Goals: Do you have professional goals, such as working in publishing, or do you wish to enter academia as a PhD candidate or teacher?
Professional: Because online degree programs allow you to earn a master's degree online while continuing to work and build your resume, they are well suited to students with professional goals.
Academia: An on-campus master's degree program is generally a better fit if you're looking to earn a PhD or go into postsecondary teaching. By studying on campus, you can become a part of the academic community and make valuable connections for the future.
Accreditation
Accreditation is granted to schools and graduate programs that meet the quality standards set by private accrediting agencies. These agencies use peer evaluations and multiple sets of criteria to assess the quality of a program, so you can feel confident in the education you will receive. While it's possible to receive a quality education from an unaccredited institution, many employers and PhD programs only accept master's degrees from accredited programs. The U.S. Department of Education can help you determine if a program is accredited through its searchable Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Location
If you're planning to attend an on-campus or hybrid program, the school's location will clearly play a part in your decision. Unless you're willing to relocate for graduate school, limit your search to programs within commuting distance.
Once you know what you're looking for, you can perform a focused search for schools that meet your basic educational format, accreditation, and location requirements. Web sites such as WorldWideLearn.com and the U.S. News and World Report's graduate school rankings can help in your search. Write down any school that meets your basic requirements to form a comprehensive list.
Step 2: Narrow Your Focus
The next step in the search process is determining what area of English you wish to specialize in and narrowing your list of schools accordingly. While all English master's degree programs will require a combination of lecture and seminar courses in literature, program offerings vary in terms of the distinct courses offered. If you're interested in a particular field of literature or type of writing, you'll want to apply only to schools that offer courses in that area. The following are the most common focus areas within English master's degree programs:
English Literature: English literature master's degree programs study literary texts written in English. Courses are often broken down by time period, region, or literary movement:
- Medieval
- Renaissance
- 18th Century
- 19th Century
- 20th Century
- American Literature
- Literary Theory
Comparative Literature: Comparative literature studies how language and literature function across cultures, countries, and time periods. Master's degree programs in comparative literature often require heavy reading in a language other than English.
Creative Writing: MA and MFA programs in creative writing emphasize the act and style of writing, though many programs also require literary analysis. Creative writing courses are generally offered by genre:
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Creative Nonfiction/Memoir
- Screenwriting/Scriptwriting
When you know what area of English you plan to focus on, use school Web sites, course catalogs, information packets, and admissions counselors to find out what courses and specializations each program offers. Remove any schools from your list that don't offer courses in your area of interest.
Step 3: Finalize Your List
By this point you should have a list of schools that align with your basic requirements and academic interests. The final step is to compare the schools to each other by researching their various attributes. Remember, the research you do now will prevent you from wasting time and money applying to schools that aren't a good fit. When comparing English master's degree programs to one another, consider the following features:
Faculty: As a graduate student, you will work closely with professors, so take some time to learn about the faculty at each school.
- Using the Internet and library search engines, look into faculty members' publication histories--make note of anyone who has published in your area of interest.
- Ask current students about their experience working with faculty. An admissions counselor should be able to put you in touch with a student willing to answer your questions.
Reputation: How is each graduate program regarded in both the professional and academic world?
- Ask professionals in the industry you wish to enter (publishing, teaching, academia, etc) what programs they recommend, and which they would stay away from.
- Determine how long each program on your list has existed.
- Ask admissions counselors or alumni officers about the success of program graduates--do they go on to prestigious jobs in the field, or do they struggle to find work?
Funding: A well-funded program can offer a variety of courses, top-notch faculty, and generous financial aid, so try to determine which schools on your list have the biggest budgets.
- Examine course catalogs to determine the number and variety of courses offered each year.
- Contact the financial aid office about available graduate-student funding and scholarships available.
- If you're looking at on-campus programs, visit the campus and English department to assess the quality of the facilities.
Acceptance Rate: Generally, the schools with the best faculty, reputation, and funding are also the most competitive to get into, so assess your chances of acceptance for each school on your list.
Find out what percentage of applicants are accepted each year. Ask admissions officers about the average GPA, test scores, and work history of accepted applicants.
Taking the above features into account, fine tune your list to include a selection of schools that offer both quality programs and a reasonable chance of acceptance. It's fine to apply to one or two schools with small acceptance rates, but make sure you also apply to those you're confident about getting into.
How to Apply for a Master's in English
Now that you have a manageable list of English master's programs to apply to, you're ready to begin the application process. Each school may require slightly different application materials, so the first thing to do is request an application or view application requirements online for each school on your list. Read the application requirements carefully and write down what you need to submit to each school. Applications to master's in English programs usually require the following materials:
- Official Transcripts: A bachelor's degree is required to qualify for master's degree programs, so you'll need to submit official transcripts from any postsecondary school you've attended.
- GRE Scores: Some master's degree in English programs require you to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test and submit your scores. Give yourself at least 2 months to prepare using a study guide or prep course.
- Letters of Recommendation: You will likely need two to three letters of recommendation written by former professors, employers, or coworkers. These letters should be thorough and thoughtful, so ask your references for their help well ahead of time.
- Personal Statement: The personal statement (or statement of purpose) is your chance to tell admissions committees why you would make a great master's degree student. This should exhibit your best writing, so write several drafts and ask a friend to proofread.
- Writing Sample: Literature programs often ask you to submit a critical essay, while creative writing programs request a writing sample in your given genre.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV): Some schools will want to know about your professional experience and/or publication history, so make sure your resume is up to date and well organized.
The application process is time consuming, but if you plan ahead and give yourself time to focus on each application you will avoid stress and put your best foot forward.
Aiming for a Career in English
From corporate press releases to fashion magazines, the written word is everywhere, and a master's degree in English can help you understand its complexities and applications. In addition to written communication, English master's degree programs emphasize the critical thinking and analytical skills employers look for. Graduates of English master's degree programs are well suited for careers in book publishing, public relations, marketing, teaching, writing, and corporate communications, among other industries. If you're passionate about writing, literature, or words in general, a master's degree in English can turn your passion into a career. Whether you attend an on-campus program or earn a master's degree online, you have what it takes to bring your education to the next level.
Sources
- CNN Money, "Working Your Degree: English"
- Columbia University, M.A. in English
- Stanford University, Comparative Literature
- University of Iowa, Writers' Workshop
- U.S. Department of Education, Accreditation
- U.S. News and World Report, English Graduate School Rankings
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