The IU Online Master of Arts in English provides broad training in the primary areas of English studies. 

As a student in the program, you explore the core principles of writing and literature pedagogy, the linguistic structure and history of English literature, and a wide variety of reading strategies associated with genre and close reading. You gain skills and knowledge to conduct archival research, develop analytical and presentation skills through the focused study of literature in a seminar format, and acquire an appreciation of current trends in the field of digital humanities.  

Specific areas of focus include:

• Linguistic structures and history of the English language
• Reading strategies and literary practices, such as close reading, analysis of style, form and genre, and rhetorical practices
• Approaches to composition and writing instruction, including the identification and evaluation of sources, use of evidence, generation of ideas, and the development and organization of argument
• Fostering discussion and developing presentation skills in a seminar setting
• Developing archival research skills and facility with electronic resources
• Developments, trends, and frontiers in the digital humanities

The MA in English has a two-part "stackable" structure. 

• You first complete an online, 20-credit-hour graduate certificate in Literature, Language and Literature, Composition Studies (Part 1), or . The certificate allows you to acquire specialized knowledge.
• After you successfully complete one of the certificates, you take an additional 16 credits of master's-level coursework that extends the breadth and depth of your knowledge.

Of Special Interest for Dual-Credit and Community College Instructors Needing to Meet HLC Standards

The stackable structure of the MA in English is ideal for dual-credit and community college teachers who need to meet the Higher Learning Commission's instructor qualification standards. These standards require teachers to hold either a master's degree in their area of instruction or a master's degree in another discipline plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

• If you hold a master's degree in a discipline other than your discipline of instruction, you can meet HLC's standards by completing one of the online certificates.
• If you need both discipline-specific coursework and a master's degree, the MA in English meets HLC standards and provides a comprehensive program of study in English.

Your IU Online MA in English prepares you for such careers as:

• High school dual-credit English teacher
• High school dual-credit literature teacher
• Community college instructor
• Other professions that value critical analysis, strong communication skills, and clarity of expression

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IUPUI, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Part I:  Completion of one of the following three Graduate Certificate options (20 credits)

Option 1 - Graduate Certificate in Literature - students must complete five graduate courses for 20 cr.

Introductory Course - Teaching Literature at the College Level

• ENG-L 503 Teaching of Literature in College

• ENG-L 553 Studies in Literature (4 cr.)

• ENG-D 600/ENG-G 655 History of the English Language (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 639 English Fiction To 1800 (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 641 English Literature 1790-1900 (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 660 Studies In British and American Literature (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 681 Genre Studies (4 cr.)

Two Electives -

• any two ENG-L courses (in addition to L 503 and L 553) (4 cr. each)

Option 2 - Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature - students must complete five graduate courses for 20 cr.

• ENG-W 500 Teaching Composition (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies (4 cr.)

Introductory Course—Teaching Literature at the College Level  

• ENG-L 503 Teaching of Literature in College (4 cr.)

• ENG-D 600/ENG-G655 History of the English Language (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 639 English Fiction To 1800 (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 641 English Literature 1790-1900 (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 660 Studies In British and American Literature (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 681 Genre Studies (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 508 Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 554 Practicum: Teaching of Creative Writing (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)

One Elective

• any ENG-L 500/600 course (4 cr.)

Option 3 - Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies - students must complete five graduate courses for 20 cr.

• ENG-W 500 Teaching Composition (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies (4 cr.)

• ENG-G 660 Stylistics (4 cr.) 
• ENG-L 646 Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 510 Computers in Composition (4 cr.) 
• ENG-W 553 Theory and Practice of Exposition (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 590 Teaching Composition: Theories & Applications (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 620 Advanced Argumentative Writing (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 501 Practicum on the Teaching of Composition in College (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)

• ENG-R 546 Rhetoric and Public Culture (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (4 cr.)

Part II:  Additional Coursework for the M.A. in English (16 credits)

To earn the Master of Arts in English, students must complete four additional graduate courses for 16 credits.    

Two Courses in Core Skills and Methods of Advanced Literary Study 

Complete two courses chosen from the following list (8 credits) (cannot duplicate certificate enrollments) 

• ENG-G 500 Introduction to the English Language (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 506 Introduction to the Methods of Criticism and Research (4 cr.)
• ENG-L 646 Readings in Media, Literature, and Culture (4 cr.)
• ENG-R 546 Rhetoric and Public Culture (4 cr.)
• ENG-W 509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies (4 cr.)

• Complete any two ENG-X 500/600 level courses. (4 cr. each)