2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in English

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus (BGSU) is a public institution with a Master of Arts in English - English Teaching requiring the completion of 31 credit hours. Typically, students graduate within two years while studying at a full-time pace. BGSU also offers a Master of Arts in English - Professional Writing and Rhetoric that more directly prepares students to become professional writers.

All online courses at BGSU are delivered through the Canvas learning management system (LMS), which allows students to study 100% online through flexible seven-week courses. This online degree focuses on language, literature, and writing, with an additional emphasis on teaching fundamentals for writing and literature. Among the major requirements are Graduate Writing, Theory and Methods of Literary Criticism, and Teaching of Literature. In addition to the core requirements for each program, students must complete a capstone experience through a Master's Portfolio. Upon graduation, students are often prepared to earn a living as professional writers or teachers.

Jacksonville State University (JSU) is a public university offering a Master of Arts in English. This program requires 30 credit hours, which students generally complete in around two years on a full-time schedule.

At JSU, students use the Canvas LMS to deliver the coursework for all online degrees. Through this software, courses are delivered completely online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Students may also choose to satisfy a portion of their requirements on campus. The program has a thesis and non-thesis option, each of which requires the completion of an Introduction to Graduate Study in English course. Non-thesis students must also take a comprehensive exam. In general, graduates of a master's in English may go on to become English teachers and professional writers.

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public institution offering a Master of Arts in English requiring 33 credit hours. If studying full time, most students complete this program in around two years.

At EIU, students use the Brightspace LMS to access their core online courses, which are taught 100% online. Courses are offered both synchronously and asynchronously, depending on the instructor. The curriculum for EIU's English program varies by concentration option (Rhetoric/Composition, Literary and Cultural Studies, or Creative Writing), but its core is designed to enhance a writer's professionalism and prepare future educators. Although there are minimal required courses in order to allow students more flexibility, individuals must still complete the Intro to Methods in English Studies course. Graduates may become community college teachers, university professors, or even professional writers.

Texas Tech University (TTU) is a public university offering a Master of Arts in English that requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Typically, students complete this program in around two years while studying full time.

At TTU, students use Blackboard for their remote courses, which are fully online and involve engaging in live classroom discussions. This online English graduate program explores numerous periods and genres of literature, research and critical methods, and development issues. There's also an available Creative Writing concentration that features workshops in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students must also compile a final portfolio prior to graduation. Graduates may explore roles in teaching, publishing, and technical writing.

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus (ENMU) is a public institution with a Master of Arts in English requiring a minimum of 27 hours of coursework. Students studying full time are likely to complete the degree in two years.

ENMU uses the LMS Canvas to deliver online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees completely online and on a flexible schedule that meets their needs. Students may choose to take some classes in person. The core of this English master's program is designed to assess and develop a student's skills in critical thinking, time management, and project organization. Required classes include Pedagogy of College Writing, Fiction Writing, and Bibliography and Methods. Assistantships are also available for students interested in gaining teaching experience. Students are also required to complete a Master's Thesis that involves either creative writing or traditional literature. Career options include B2B content editing, direct response copywriting, and publishing.