Low Residency/Online MA in English

About the Program

The online MA in English program provides an opportunity for people who are not able to live in Laramie full-time to receive an MA degree through a combination of a summer residency classes and online class sessions throughout the regular school year. The degree proceeds more slowly than the on-campus MA so that students can continue with their regular employment and professional obligations while completing the program. The low residency/online MA degree has a thesis and non-thesis option (Plan-B portfolio) to help students customize their educational experience.

Courses are offered using video conferencing technology and hybrid instruction, combined with a one-week campus residency each summer. You MUST be able to attend the one-week summer residency in Laramie.

The program will focus on delivering classes with smaller numbers of students to offer more discussion and interaction between students and faculty.

Please inquire with the English department at EnglishDept@uwyo.edu to see if the Outreach MA program is currently accepting applications.

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Program Requirements

For an MA degree in English, all students will complete 28 hours of coursework. Those students who take the thesis option will write a master’s thesis under the direction of a faculty adviser during their final two semesters, enrolling in Thesis I (5960) for 4 credits and enrolling for 1 credit of continuing enrollment (5940) in spring. 

Students who take the non-thesis option (Plan-B portfolio) will take two additional courses over the final two semesters for 8 additional credits, resulting in 36 hours of coursework for graduation. Both thesis and non-thesis online students will form committees and schedule formal defenses. Online thesis students can choose to write a traditional, chapter-based thesis, or a Public-Facing Thesis portfolio. Online non-thesis students compile a portfolio of three major papers or projects from their coursework, combined with a brief pedagogical reflection essay, of at least 50 pages total.

The low residency program’s curriculum offers a wide range of courses that appeal to a variety of interests, while providing a well-rounded background in English Studies. Classes are taught by award-winning faculty of the Department of English.

Please check the Course Rotation page for proposed courses for each cohort.

Admissions Process

Please contact the English Department before beginning the admissions process to confirm that we are currently accepting applications.

• Apply online to UW and pay the $50 graduate application fee.

• Official transcripts of collegiate work completed, including any post-baccalaureate coursework. U.S. Military training transcripts that show neither grades nor degrees awarded may be submitted but are not required as part of the transcript requirement.

• A minimum of three letters of recommendation from:
  o a current or former college/university instructor of the applicant; and/or
  o a current or previous professional supervisor of the applicant.

• A statement of purpose that contains the applicant’s:
  o Professional/career goals.
  o Educational goals.
  o Statement of how the graduate program will help the applicant attain their educational and professional goals.
  o Explanation for why the applicant would choose the University of Wyoming for graduate study.

• A full resume that contains:
  o Record of all post-secondary academic work, including the names of the institutions, dates of attendance, and degrees earned.
  o Record of all professional employment including dates for each (including any military service, AmeriCorp, PeaceCorp, Fulbright, etc. work experience).
  o Any special skills or competencies (including any certifications or licenses).
  o List of publications, prizes, awards, or other recognitions.
  o List of service/volunteer activities.

• Submit a 10-15 page critical writing sample.  This paper should demonstrate your ability to construct a sophisticated argument supported by textual analysis.

The letters of recommendation, unofficial copies of transcripts, resume, statement of purpose and writing sample should be uploaded to the online application prior to the deadline.  If you have any questions about the application process, please email EnglishDept@uwyo.edu.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

• Evidence of ability to do graduate-level work in English

• GRE scores are not required

Applicants whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.0 may be considered via the Professional Experience Track Admissions process if they have had at least two years of relevant professional experience.  For more information about Professional Experience Track Admissions, please see the Graduate Admissions section under the Admissions section of the Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Entrepreneurial tuition as outlined in the UW Fee book. Search for "Distance English Master's Program" for the specific tuition rate. For more information on the estimated cost of attendance (COA), please refer to https://www.uwyo.edu/sfa/cost-of-attendance/.

Transfer Credit

The low residency/online MA in English program will consider on a case-by-case basis accepting up to 8 hours of transfer credit from outside the institution. Up to 8 hours of graduate credits earned at the University of Wyoming prior to admission in the program will be considered case-by-case toward the degree.

Career Opportunities

Students who have earned their MA in English have gone on to: complete PhD programs and secure tenure track faculty positions, teach in community colleges, become lawyers, teach high school, become grant writers, work in public relations and marketing, and work in radio, business, and non-profit organizations.

Research and Travel Support

We encourage students to participate in conferences and research experiences and will provide funding for these endeavors whenever possible. Funding requests must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies at the start of the fall semester, or at least six months before the date of planned travel. 

General Program Information

e-mail: EnglishDept@uwyo.edu