Get your Master of Arts in English Near Chicago
Great writing sits at the heart of the humanities—as history, philosophy, and art unfold, writing is the epicenter. Governors State’s Master of Arts in English provides intensive study in literature, language, and theory and the real-world experience needed to hone your craft and scholarship. With sequences in Literature and Writing, the English M.A. curriculum explores great literature from a 21st-century perspective that incorporates diverse cultural and women’s voices and helps you master the written word.
Reach Your Career Goals
With an English M.A., you’ll gain valuable transferrable skills in research, project management, content creation, editing, and persuasion. The advanced study of English leads to career success in teaching, publishing, editing, social media, advertising, law, and many other professions. Many of our graduates pursue their doctoral level studies in English or education.
Why get a Master of Arts in English?
Fulfill your mission as a writer, educator, or scholar with an English M.A. You will work one-on-one with your faculty advisor in an area that interests you most—whether in literary criticism and theory, pedagogy, rhetoric, composition, or literary studies—to tailor your academic experience. As your studies conclude, choose one of two culminating assignments: a final thesis project that synthesizes your literary research interests or a comprehensive exam that assesses your complete studies in literature or writing.
Data collected in 2024 by Salary.com reported that the median annual salary for college-level English Professors was $101,268 with an average range of $82,138 – $163,599. They also report that Chicago’s median salary for college-level English Professors is $179,210.
Delivery Format
Achieve your master’s degree in as little as 18 months. Governors State’s 33-credit hour English M.A. is offered fully on-campus or in a hybrid format. Enroll full-time to jumpstart your career or part-time for added flexibility.
Testimonials
"As a graduate student in the English program, I have been presented with many opportunities to advance my research interests. As a Supplemental Instructor, I have been embedded in many first-year writing classes. This year, I presented my research on this experience on a panel with GSU faculty members at a regional MLA conference where I was excited to contribute to the discipline in a real and meaningful way."
Dan Coglianese, Graduate Assistant of Supplemental Instruction
"Students in the English M.A. program become truly global citizens as they study and research literature of cultures and languages from all over the world. Through our range of courses, students may examine topics ranging from Native American literature to Major Black Authors in a hybrid setting, or English and European literature in an online setting. Many of our students have gone on to complete doctoral studies both here at GSU or at other institutions across the country."
Dr. Rashidah Muhammad, Full Professor of English