About the English M.A. Program
Tailor the program curriculum not only to fit your academic interests and career goals
but also to intrigue and challenge you. As a graduate student in UW’s English master’s
program, you’ll gain a solid foundation in English studies and specialize in one or
more of the tracks in the following areas:
- The Literature track explores a variety of perspectives on literature and other culturally significant texts and materials such as film, social media, oral traditions and political discourse.
- The Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing Studies track explores the production of discourse, with focus areas in classical, contemporary or cultural rhetoric; post-secondary writing pedagogy and program administration; political rhetoric and activism; or other writing-related studies.
- The Public Humanities track is one of only a few in the country offered in an English master’s degree program. This concentration will prepare you for a career in nonprofit, civic and community-based cultural organizations that engage the humanities, contribute to social reform and promote the public good.
UW’s master of arts in English online is a three-year, cohort-based degree program combining a one-week campus residency each summer with online classes throughout the regular academic year. Designed for working professionals, our online master’s in English allows you to manage other obligations while earning your graduate degree. As our rankings show, we provide a high-value degree while building a strong community through discussion, interaction and personalized mentoring.
What Can You Do With an English Master’s Degree?
Whether you enroll in the master’s in English online or on campus, this graduate degree primes you for Ph.D. study or immediate careers in teaching, advising, communications and nonprofits. Our graduates, after gaining additional credentials in some cases, have gone on to attend law school or business school, work in public relations and marketing, serve nonprofit organizations, develop public policy, work in radio and publishing and much more.
- K-12 language arts teacher
- Academic adviser or college recruiter
- Grant and policy writer
- Technical writer and editor
- Global marketing manager
- Non-profit and foundation fundraiser
With additional credentialing, some of our graduates have worked in roles such as
these:
- Professor
- Lawyer
- University president
An M.A. in English is incredibly versatile! In today’s job market, employers value the strong communication, critical thinking and analytical skills this program develops. It prepares you for careers in teaching, publishing, marketing, content creation or law—and it’s also a solid foundation for a Ph.D. or further graduate study.
Absolutely! In fact, in recent years, the English master’s program at UW has experienced a 90% placement rate for all graduate students applying to Ph.D. programs.
The job outlook for English M.A. grads is full of possibilities! Whether you’re drawn to teaching, writing, marketing or publishing, the skills you gain through UW's program are in high demand. You’ll be ready to thrive in a variety of growing fields.
“The MA program . . . helped me to prepare for a career in nonprofit management by sharpening my skills in critical thinking and communication . . . . The MA program in English is rigorous. It would benefit those who are preparing to perform marketing and communications, policy-making, fundraising, or management in the nonprofit sector."
- Laurie Milford, Class of 1999