Best Online Master's Degrees in English 2025
Find the best online master’s degree in English from our list of accredited schools ranked by the number of English master's graduates, helping you identify where students are most successful.
Key Takeaways:
- Southern New Hampshire University Online ranks #1 for online English master’s graduates, with 480 program completers in the most recent year.
- Minnesota State University at Mankato holds the top spot for median earnings at $77,544 among English master's graduates, placing students in the top 1% nationally for salary outcomes at this level.
- Louisiana Tech University has a student recommendation rate of 96% based on reviews we've collected.
You can review our methodology to learn more about our rankings. Below, we also offer expert advice from Anannya Mukherjee (PhD) about how to successfully navigate an English master's degree online.
Best Online Master's Degrees in English 2025
| Rank | School | Graduates | Annual Tuition | Median Salary | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 480 | $18,345 | $52,651 | 69% | |
| Arizona State University, Online | 123 | $18,654 | N/A | 93% | |
| National University | 71 | $10,732 | $61,790 | N/A | |
| Ohio University - Main Campus | 44 | $12,576 | N/A | 95% | |
| Minnesota State University at Mankato | 41 | $12,720 | $77,544 | 88% | |
| East Carolina University | 40 | $16,830 | $54,390 | 92% | |
| Eastern Illinois University | 26 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $13,632 | N/A | 87% | |
| Texas Tech University | 25 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $12,402 | N/A | 92% | |
| University of Central Florida | 24 | $19,003 | N/A | 94% | |
| Mercy University | 19 | $15,600 | $49,049 | 78% | |
| University of Louisiana - Monroe | 17 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $8,250 | N/A | 91% | |
| The University of Texas at Tyler | 16 | $15,318 | N/A | 90% | |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | 15 | $10,350 | N/A | 92% | |
| Louisiana Tech University | 15 | $7,837 | N/A | 96% | |
| Gardner Webb University | 14 | $9,225 | N/A | 95% |
Analyzing Our List of The Best Online Master's Degrees in English
A master’s in English is built around advanced literary analysis, rhetorical research, writing craft, and the study of language, but what it actually does for students in terms of career opportunities varies widely. For some, it’s a path toward teaching, dual-credit certification, or preparation for a PhD. For others, it’s a foundation for writing-heavy careers in publishing, content strategy, technical communication, UX writing, education, or nonprofit cultural work.
Completing a master's degree in English online has specific advantages. Remote graduate students often scheduling flexibility, multiple start terms, asynchronous coursework, and the ability to progress without relocating or interrupting full-time work. For a field like English, online learning can enhance the graduate experience, allowing coursework to be integrated into personal research rhythms.
With that context, the programs in our list above illustrate a contemporary picture of what high-performing online English M.A. programs look like. We'll dig into the details below.
What Our Recommendation Rates Tell Us About Student Experience
Our recommendation rates come from more than 90,000 student surveys, giving us a window into the real-world satisfaction of those who have been there.
... Ohio University, East Carolina, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Gardner-Webb, UCF, and UNK all [sit] near or above the 90% mark.
Looking at this group of schools above as a whole, one pattern immediately stands out, which is that the majority of programs fall into the high-endorsement range. The strongest clusters land between 90% and 96% recommendation, with schools like Ohio University, East Carolina, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Gardner-Webb, UCF, and UNK all sitting near or above the 90% mark.
What these online schools share is structural stability:
- They all have substantial online ecosystems.
- Many report strong retention and graduation rates.
- Several offer targeted tracks, certificates, or accelerated routes that give students control over direction and completion pace.
High recommendation rates tend to correlate with clear advising pathways, predictable scheduling, and academic support. And the most-recommended universities have built reliable infrastructures for online learners. Perhaps the main takeaway here is that student satisfaction improves dramatically where structure, pacing, and support are consistent.
How Do These Online English Master's Programs Compare?
Although all of these institutions award an M.A. in English, they don’t express the degree in the same way. A spectrum of options emerge, from research-driven literary scholarship to workplace writing and digital communication.
One of the clearest dividing lines is scholarly vs. applied orientation, though most programs blend both rather than sit at either extreme. At one end, you find programs like the Master of Arts in English at the University of Louisiana - Monroe, which maintains a traditional literature core but allows students to break in one of two distinct directions: a literary studies track for research-focused scholars or a creative writing track for writers who want to produce publishable work. This option reflects two of the most popular audiences commonly drawn to an English M.A. — analysts and makers.
Other programs stretch toward educational or developmental identity. The University of Texas at Tyler builds its degree around teaching preparation, offering a Milestone in College English Studies and structured research-to-publication mentoring. Students can work in the Writing Center or pursue assistantships, which can be helpful especially for those eyeing community college teaching, dual-credit instruction, or long-term academic study.
Then, on the applied end of the spectrum, some schools have totally unique options. For example, National University offers one of the most distinctive identities on our list: a Gothic Studies specialization (reportedly the first of its kind in the U.S.) as well as a Rhetoric track that integrates noir, media analysis, and hands-on editorial experience. NU leans into genre study, rhetorical production, and editorial practice, which is a reminder that an English M.A. can be both academic and artistic without being reductively literary.
Yet beneath those variations, nearly all programs offer capstone choice — thesis, portfolio, directed research, or exams — which allows students to orient the final product toward employment, publication, or doctoral study. Most operate on flexible calendars and offer seminars, research, iterative drafting, and faculty mentorship.
Where the programs differ most is in the type of writer, thinker, or teacher they are designed to produce. Choosing among them isn’t about identifying a “better” English M.A. — it’s about deciding whether you see yourself at the front of a classroom, inside a manuscript, embedded in digital systems, or surrounded by theory and text.
Online Enrollment Data and Why It Matters in This Field
Large online student populations — such as the University of Central Florida's 3,780+ learners or Arizona State University Online's 17,156-student online ecosystem — can be beneficial in the long-run.
With online populations this huge, you can rest assured that faculty are accustomed to teaching online and tech support exists beyond business hours. It's also a good indicator that the library systems are built around digital access instead of retrofitted from campus workflows. It can also mean that there's more predictable course rotations, so you're not waiting around forever for a class that you need to graduate.
Contrast that with schools that host only a handful of online students per year. With these schools, course variety may fluctuate, or students may wait months for the one required seminar to run.
A master’s in English relies on dialogue, workshop culture, interpretation across difference. Those things thrive when enrollment is strong. Our list of online schools hosting English master's programs has online students ranging from 600+ (e.g., Gardner Webb and Eastern Illinois) to 23,000+ (SNHU Online). The bottom line is that these are all very well-established online institutions.
Expert Advice on Turning an Online English Master's Into Versatile Income
Presentation/Instructional Designer
"A great career option for English Master's graduates is to explore freelancing. The English Masters' degree offers widely-applicable communication and storytelling skills that allow graduates to stand out in freelance copywriting, ghostwriting, content editing, copyediting, technical writing, marketing, and even business administration. Personally I have self-taught design skills, so I pursued freelance presentation design.
The English Masters' degree offers widely-applicable communication and storytelling skills that allow graduates to stand out in freelance copywriting, ghostwriting, content editing, copyediting, technical writing, marketing, and even business administration.
English graduates do particularly well as freelancers because freelancing requires a lot of customer outreach, branding and marketing (including content marketing), and general storytelling, critical thinking, and communication skills. It's also likely to eventually be better remunerated than the available jobs in these fields, as highly successful freelancers make more per hour for similar jobs as permanent employees do.
Freelancing can allow graduates to explore their skills in various roles, industries, and use cases, and it has fairly low stakes at the beginning stages, making it a safe way to dip your toe into the industry space. I would recommend doing this even before finishing the Master's.
Basically, a graduate degree in English makes you a great generalist, and while you should look at narrowing your scope to ensure you fit snugly in a niche, the exploratory advantages of the early freelancing stages will ensure that the niche you find is highly specialized to your very own strengths, and you will be able to convince others of your value and professionalism through your communication and commitment."
FAQs About an Online Master’s Degree in English
What Is An Online English Master's Degree?
An online master's degree in English explores literary theory and interpretation, language, linguistics, rhetoric, pedagogy, and writing. Students develop critical thinking and communication skills, allowing them to analyze text and explain their findings in an academic setting. Coursework varies based on the concentration, from teaching English to communications and creative writing. Regardless of the area of interest, each master's degree in English teaches research methods, providing students with the expertise needed to complete thesis projects during their final year.
In the modern job market, graduates can pursue English careers as public relations and marketing specialists, writers, journalists, and teachers. Keep in mind that employers will check if the program has been evaluated for quality by a third-party education agency. Therefore, it's important that students only pursue an online master's in English if it's from an accredited school.
Still undecided? Explore the best master's degrees in communication and the best creative writing programs — all 100% online.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Master’s in English Online?
Most master's degrees, whether online or in person, are designed to be completed in approximately two years. This timeline applies to full-time students taking around 12 credits per semester. Part-time students will likely take additional time to graduate, usually between three and five years. They limit how many credits they take each semester, allowing them to work or take care of personal responsibilities while they study.
What are Specializations for Online Master's Programs in English?
The best online master's in English offers several specializations that narrow coursework to prepare students for specific career paths. If students are still determining their career path, it's best to choose a discipline based on their academic strengths or interests. Another option involves choosing an entirely different major that offers similar coursework, such as an affordable master's degree in journalism.
Here are a few examples of English concentrations available at the master's level:
- Creative Writing: A creative writing concentration features several course options, including poetry, screenwriting, and fiction. Students usually choose one or two focus areas, taking intermediate and advanced courses throughout the program. Creative writing majors will not only be prepared to make a living off their works as television scriptwriters or novelists but also be equipped to teach young students about creative writing.
- Literature: Choosing a literature specialization means having the opportunity to read, analyze, and interpret some of the most well-known books in history. Students learn about literary theory, including analysis methods and the many literary periods and movements that influenced writers working today. Graduates may find work as authors, book critics, and librarians.
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Concentrations in teaching English as a second language, or TESOL, offer students the skills to teach non-native speakers how to communicate in English. Coursework involves the study of linguistics, which explores the patterns and structures of languages, and teaching as a profession through instruction methodologies.
What Courses Do You Take in an Online Master’s in English?
During an English master's degree, students learn practical skills and undertake theoretical learning. Core coursework will likely include applied learning in communication, teaching, and writing while covering advanced literary theory and language composition. The list below provides a brief overview of courses commonly found in English master's programs.
- Linguistics: Linguistics looks at the history of language and examines the evolution of oral communication. This broad course spans studies of syntax, grammar, typology, and phonetics, among other areas. Through lectures and classroom discussions, students learn how different languages relate to one another and how they've changed over time to form the modern languages spoken today.
- Research in English Studies: This is among the first courses students take because it provides a strong foundation in research methodologies they'll use throughout their studies. Scholarship, or formal academic research into languages and literature, is a core component of this course. They'll also learn how to conduct research using the internet and public databases and how to compose research papers.
- Literary Period or Movement: Here, students study literary movements and periods in history, including how they're defined and the works they include. Coursework may cover Shakespeare's plays during the Elizabethan period or the novels of Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation. Students look at the authors, the themes they explored, and the cultural effects of their works.
- Rhetorical Theories and Practices: This course explores persuasive writing from early texts to its contemporary uses. Students learn how to analyze and interpret rhetorical language and examine its different types of uses, from speeches to essays. By the end of the course, students understand how rhetorical language is developed and how to generate their own persuasive arguments.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Master's in English?
A Master's in English online provides training for graduates so they can begin to work in roles that require writing, editing, communications, and research. Many industries offer these types of jobs, including business, government, publishing, and media. Teaching is the only job that requires additional training after graduation through state teacher certifications. To teach at the collegiate level, students must earn a doctoral degree in English, which offers concentrations such as linguistics and literature.
- who instruct English classes use their understanding of language, grammar, and literature to teach students how to write in different mediums. Most importantly, this includes academic essays that prepare students to apply to college. They prescribe reading assignments, grade grammar and language tests, and organize classroom discussions of classic literary works.
- are responsible for the daily operations of a library. They catalog materials, maintain inventories, research new books, update databases, and train library staff. They also assist readers in finding the books they're looking for, acting as a walking encyclopedia for all facility offerings. They may work in public, school, academic, legal, medical, and corporate libraries.
- translate technical information from engineers, designers, manufacturers, and developers so that it can be understood by a broader audience. This may include instructional handbooks for consumer products, computer software user guides, or corporate employee handbooks. Their work is cross-collaborative, features visual elements such as video or graphs, and often requires several revisions before reaching the finished product.
- use their expertise in language and rhetoric to write materials that generate favorable public images. They oversee media-related communications, such as press releases, conferences, and interviews, while helping to raise awareness of a company or individual to specific audiences.
How Much Money Can I Make With an English Master's Degree?
According to the (BLS), English majors in 2023 had a median annual salary of ~$60,000. Most graduates worked in educational institutions and libraries, which typically require master's degrees.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s in English?
Students who wish to apply to an online college for a master's in English must have a bachelor's in English or a similar field. Admissions counselors look at college transcripts to check applicants' GPAs, which in most cases must reach 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for acceptance. Graduate applications may also require students to submit letters of recommendation from professional colleagues or academic counselors and employment resumes.
Can You Get a Master's Degree in English 100% Online?
Yes, there are many English master's degrees available entirely online. These programs deliver coursework through learning management systems such as Canvas or Brightspace. They also feature classroom discussions and lectures led by the same professors who teach on campus, leading online degrees to be just as respected by employers as their in-person counterparts.
Is a Master's in English Worth It?
A master's is worth it for students who wish to gain a wide array of valuable skills in communication, writing, and cultural studies skills. The critical thinking and organizational experience gained during these programs offers many employment opportunities as teachers, writers, librarians, and researchers.
Here's a list of pros and cons to better understand what it means to pursue a master's in English:
Benefits
- It's the perfect mix of practical and theoretical learning. Students may spend one day speculating on the works of Faulkner or Tolstoy and the following day learning editing techniques. An English master's provides students with a well-rounded education that combines critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Writing jobs can be found in an endless number of industries. From translating technical engineering jargon to writing creative marketing copy, English graduates can use their writing skills based on their interests.
- Graduates can become authors. The coursework in English master's degrees is perfectly designed to prepare students to write their own books. Another way to achieve this would be through a master's degree in creative writing.
Drawbacks
- There is a lot of reading and writing. English students are often required to research and write papers every single week. Some individuals pursuing an English degree may have a strong preference for a practical application of their skills, such as creative writing or literary analysis, over extensive research and academic writing. They may find the heavy emphasis on research and papers less aligned with their interests and career aspirations.
- Master's degrees are expensive. This expense often includes tuition fees, textbooks, course materials, and potentially lost income if the student is not working full-time while pursuing the degree. This unfortunate reality has led many students to choose more affordable master's degrees in English to save money on rising tuition costs. Online master's degrees are also usually cheaper.
- English majors earn less than other popular majors. The BLS reports that , for example, earn a median salary of ~$69,000, compared to $56,000 for English majors.
Pursuing an English master's degree online offers several advantages, including flexibility for individuals with busy schedules, accessibility to accredited programs from anywhere, and the opportunity to develop strong research and writing skills. Online master's programs also tend to attract a diverse group of students from varied backgrounds. However, there are potential drawbacks, such as the heavy workload of reading and writing, which can be time-consuming and challenging for those with other commitments. Some individuals may also prefer a more hands-on or creative approach to learning, finding the emphasis on research and academic writing less aligned with their interests.
Student Reviews of Online English Programs
This is a higher education "turn'em and burn'em" scheme. They churn out graduates offering substandard, inconsistent, and, at times, incomprehensible education. The course and loan structure is somewhere between financial entrapment and a bait-and-switch. The whole program is horribly misleading. They talk a good game but fail to deliver. Point out obvious course design flaws... it falls on deaf ears with program administrators that are ready with excuses. Courses with professors consistently ranked... Read More
Review Date: 2/22/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
This biggest issues I have is with the Administration and the poor customer service they provide to distance education students. I'm abhorred as to the treatment that I've been subjected to by their employees, which I can only assume are mostly part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The staff is profoundly incompetent and the administration seems to care less because they're probably vacationing in Adirondacks or Cape Cod for the summer and left the inmates to run the prison. I've literally... Read More
Review Date: 6/5/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
ASU online is an extremely well supported program. It's professors are known and credible and the classes can be really engaging. They have people ready to help and assist in every aspect of the program, whether its financial, academic, or just struggles with time management. I would absolutely check out their program for continuing your education.
Review Date: 12/22/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Mercy College is a challenging program that has various modes of instruction available. For me it is great because I live in Miami, but I can still benefit from the instruction given in New York. The online programs are rigorous and really get you to think. While there is an astronomical amount of reading, it is feasible with a student who is meticulous with scheduling.
Review Date: 3/31/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
ASUs Online Masters program has been quite a blessing for me. I am a high school English teacher teaching abroad in Honduras and I may not have been able to keep working in a country and a school I have come to love while working towards my Masters if it were not for ASUs online program. The program is impressive in terms of how many classes are offered as options to fulfill each requirement. The requirements themselves span across Research, Literature, Linguistics, and Foreign Language Studies which... Read More
Review Date: 12/9/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am an online student at Arizona State University, earning a Master's degree in English studies. Their Master's of English program is the only program currently offered by a state school, as opposed to a private or for profit school. In conducting my research, the price per unit is the lowest of any online program currently available. Professors offer rigorous curriculum, but they are also readily available to help via email regardless of office hours. ASU also has 24/7 Financial Aid assistance,... Read More
Review Date: 4/10/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
SNHU'S English program stresses literary analysis, critical thinking, and written communication skills through a rigorous curriculum. I would highly recommend this university for a rewarding and enlightening learning experience! I appreciate it!!!
Review Date: 1/5/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The program is completely online, but the faculty are always accessible. The professors are willing to help and work with each student independently. The registrar office is difficult to get in touch with at times and classes are expensive.
Review Date: 4/8/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Attending the University of Phoenix virtually has allowed me the ability to help other students also obtain their education goals. I work as part-time tutor at the local community college four days' per week. Because I'm studying to become a future teacher, I study the graduate program materials in the morning, and then apply what I've learned when I'm tutoring students that afternoon. It's been an amazing experience, and I recommend the virtual program to anyone that requires flexibility in their... Read More
Review Date: 12/9/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I liked the accelerated pace of the classes because I didn't want to spend years pursuing an MA. But be warned: the classes (at least at the MA level) are no joke. I rolled into the program expecting an easy ride. But the academic rigor of the courses surprised me. I was on "academic probation" after my first class. I got a B-, but the school requires at least a B average to maintain good academic standing. It took me longer than I wanted to finish the degree because I had to repeat the "capstone"... Read More
Review Date: 9/13/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
It is an affordable program with a diverse student body.
Review Date: 2/23/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
For full time employees, the University of Phoenix is ideal for achieving a successful undergraduate education. However, for higher education, I think it is essential to change schools to both broaden horizons and challenge students. For my English MA program, I chose Arizona State University Online, which offers a wide variety of graduate programs that are identical to on-campus classes for online students.
Review Date: 11/10/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I love the accessibility of the program - my entire degree is online! I can still work full-time and get my degree to further my career, which is super convenient. I also love that tuition is the exact same for all graduate students, whether in-state or out-of-state.
Review Date: 11/5/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I've tried other online programs but SNHU is by far the best. Their financial aid department is really good and they don't give you the one around. Their academic support is wonderful.
Review Date: 11/24/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
As a pro, online university fits my hectic life, as a worker, foster parent, and student. As a con, online classes require a lot of self discipline.
Review Date: 11/2/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My graduate program of English Literature at Mercy is extremely competitive. Although I am an online student, I feel as though I am always in the know with the happenings of campus life. My professors are all rigorous and fair, who challenge me to be the best. I have been enjoying my studies thus far.
Review Date: 5/29/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The online experience makes for better scheduling and work pace, and meeting students from all over the country provides for interesting discussion. Some of the faculty are better than others, as with any school, and the turnaround time on questions to professors is sometimes frustrating.
Review Date: 2/14/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am half way through my Graduate School program. Being an online student, I cannot comment on the campus and campus life, however, academically, I am very impressed. Teachers are knowledgeable and accessible. Administration is usually responsive as well.
Review Date: 4/23/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My degree is English with an emphasis on Professional Writing. I can't really comment on anything relating to the campus life because I attend online, though I've heard Flagstaff is beautiful. Counselors are assigned to students and easy to get a hold of by phone or email. It took me a little bit of time to get used to school online only. I've only finished one semester, so far I like it. My professor and counselor told me not to work if I could help it but I found that having a part-time job helped... Read More
Review Date: 5/2/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The graduate programs are very accessible, but the admissions process is long and important classes fill up before you can register.
Review Date: 8/2/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No