Master of Arts in English

Collaborative Online Degree

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

This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

Many online support services are available to assist you as you progress through the program.

The IU Online Master of Arts (MA) 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, Composition Studies, or Language and Literature. 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.

Admissions

Admissions requirements vary by campus.

Degree Requirements (36 cr.)

Students pursuing the collaborative M.A. in English will complete a two-part degree program that includes a 20-credit stand-alone graduate certificate chosen from the following three options, Literature, Language & Literature, or Composition Studies (Part I), and 16 credits of additional master’s degree coursework (Part II).

 Required courses for the online MA in English will run using the ENG subject code and carry 4 credits.

• English Graduate Certificate (select from Literature, Literature and Language, or Composition Studies) (20 cr.)
• Core Skills and Methods of Advanced Literature Study (8 cr.)
• Electives (8 cr.)

• All courses are 4 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Graduate Certificate (20 cr.)

Select one Graduate Certificate from the following:

Option 1. Graduate Certificate in Literature

1. Introductory Course | Teaching Literature at the College Level

• ENG-L 503 Teaching of Literature in College

2. History, Methods, and Practice of Literary Study

• ENG-L 553 Studies in Literature 

3. Course on the History and Development of the English Language or English Literature

Select one of the following:

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

4. Electives

• Select two ENG-L courses at the 500/600 level
  In addition to ENG-L 503 and ENG-L 553

Option 2. Graduate Certificate in Language and Literature

1. Introductory Course | Graduate Composition Studies

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 500 Teaching Composition: Issues and Approaches
• ENG-W 509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies

2. Introductory Course | Teaching Literature at the College Level

• ENG-L 503 Teaching of Literature in College

Select one of the following (4 cr.):

• ENG-D 600 History of the English Language 
• ENG-G 655 History of the English Language 
• ENG-L 639 English Fiction to 1800
• ENG-L 641 English Literature 1790-1900 
• ENG-L 660 Studies in British and American Literature
• ENG-L 681 Genre Studies 

4. Writing Pedagogy for College Instructors

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 508 Graduate Creative Writing for Teachers
• ENG-W 554 Practicum on the Teaching of Creative Writing
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
• ENG-W 682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition

5. Elective

Option 3. Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies

1. Introductory Course | Graduate Composition Studies

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 500 Teaching Composition: Issues and Approaches
• ENG-W 509 Introduction to Writing and Literacy Studies

2. Stylistics

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-G 660 Stylistics
• ENG-L 646 Readings in MEdia, Literature, and Culture

3. Applied Writing Pedagogy

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 510 Computers in Composition 
• ENG-W 553 Theory and Practice and Exposition
• ENG-W 590 Teaching Composition: Theories and Applications
• ENG-W 620 Advanced Argumentative Writing

4. Writing Pedagogy for College Instructors

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-W 501 Practicum on the Teaching of Composition in College
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition

5. Rhetoric Seminar or Capstone

Select one of the following (4 cr.)

• ENG-R 546 Rhetoric and Puglic Culture 
• ENG-W 600 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition
• ENG-W 682 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition

Additional Coursework (16 cr.)

Core Skills and Methods of Advanced Literary Study (8 cr.)

Select two from the following:

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

Electives (8 cr.)

Select two from the following

• ENG-W 609 Directed Writing Projects
  By permission only
• Any two ENG-X 500/600 course