Reading and writing are critical skills in any professional field, so earning one of the best online master’s in English is an excellent choice.
These degrees can provide meaningful boosts to your career, and especially in liberal arts professions. These days, you can find top-tier online options that let you finish your education from a distance. Of course, finding the right programs can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. In this guide, we’ll show you the 20 best online master’s in English programs and explain what you can do with this flexible credential.
What Is a Master’s in English Degree?
A master’s in English further specializes your understanding of the English language and the literature that enforces it. While an English degree at a bachelor’s level provides you with greater command of the rules and intricacies of the language, a master’s degree shows that you truly comprehend the subtlety of its syntax and grammar and can apply that knowledge to your own written content.
As a result, master’s degrees in English are incredibly versatile in regard to the positions they prepare you for. Those with these degrees can become teachers from the elementary to the college level, or they can become business professionals. Marketing and content creation are other avenues that allow English majors to express their creativity. All in all, a master’s degree in English is versatile and valuable.
How Much Can You Earn With a Master’s in English Degree?
Your potential earnings with a master’s degree in English depend on your chosen profession. Postsecondary teachers at the college level typically make around $78,470 per year. These jobs are valuable because of their stability and the importance they have in society.
On the other hand, you can become an editor, which will have you reviewing, planning, and revising content for publication. You can work with fiction as a novel editor, or you could become an editor for a company that double-checks all marketing copy before it is sent for publication. Editors usually make around $59,480 per year.
All in all, salaries for those with a master’s in English are quite competitive and comfortable.
What Is Required for a Master’s in English Degree?
A master’s degree in English will require that you complete several classes that provide you with advanced writing and reading comprehension. Courses will often cover subjects like:
- Communication
- Literature
- History
- Social studies
Many English degrees also allow you to specialize in a concentration, such as a type of fiction or a particular style of writing. Others might even include certification to be an English teacher in a specific state.
What Are the Best Online Master’s in English Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.