Master of Arts in English Online
Develop transferable, interdisciplinary communication skills.
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Request InfoEnglish, M.A. Overview
The online Master of Arts in English program at the University of West Florida is home to a vibrant community of scholars and creative writers who are passionate about the study of literature, discourse and print culture. While specializing in literature or creative writing, you will have opportunities to work closely with faculty mentors and to pursue individual research interests. Classes are strictly limited to 20 students, which ensures that you receive individual attention from expert faculty with terminal degrees in their fields.
Our master’s in English program requires students to participate in real-time online lectures via the University’s free video-conferencing service. Through this format, students benefit from face-to-face interaction with other students and faculty in real-time while also enjoying the flexibility of online course delivery. The strengths of our online graduate program—and your success—depend on these live interactions. The live sessions are held for evening core seminars. All courses are held in the evening to facilitate attendance by working professionals, but occasional daytime events are available.
Graduates of our English M.A. program are highly successful writers, speakers, presenters, leaders and educators who possess excellent analytical and communication skills. These techniques can be applied to numerous professions including business, publishing, editing, creative writing, non-profit administration, instructional design, journalism, technical writing, teaching and many more.
Beyond preparation for future employment, the study of literature and creative writing provides exposure to the world of ideas and the aesthetics of the written word. Courses in UWF’s program cover both canonical and non-canonical works of fiction and nonfiction. You will receive broad exposure to texts from a range of historical periods and cultures. A thesis and a non-thesis track are available for students pursuing an M.A. in English.
Note: This online degree may not be available in all states. If you are not a Florida resident, please review our State Authorization Status to confirm that the program is available in your state.
Funding Options
The Department of English provides partial funding to qualified incoming students in the form of UWF Graduate Grants. Grants vary in amount, usually around $1,000, and are divided between the fall and spring of the student’s first year. In addition to grants, the department offers a limited number of teaching assistant and graduate assistant positions. Assistantships require students to work for 10 hours per week at a rate of pay of $10.25/hour and include a half- or full-tuition waiver for students enrolled in full-time study. Minimum GPA requirements apply for all financial awards.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Those who seek transferable skills for industries including business, publishing, editing, creative or technical writing, instructional design, journalism, human resources, market research, sales, public relations, customer service, film and television
- Present and future educators at the secondary or post-secondary level
You Will Be Able To:
- Demonstrate knowledge of literary theory, British literature, American literature, poetry and rhetoric
- Practice writing and workshopping fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction and creative writing
- Hone your teaching skills by teaching literature courses and composition and rhetoric courses through our writing program
- Serve as an editor or managing editor for Troubadour, a journal of creative writing by UWF students, or Panhandler Magazine, a national literary journal
Courses and Requirements
The M.A. in English program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework, 18 of which must be 6000-level courses. At the time of admission, students will indicate their choice of a program specializing in literature or creative writing. After completing 18 credit hours of 6000-level coursework, students declare whether they intend to pursue the thesis or the non-thesis track.
Students completing 18 credit hours of 6000-level coursework with a minimum 3.5 grade-point average are eligible for the thesis track. Students with a lower GPA may petition the chair of the department to be allowed to pursue the thesis track. Students petitioning the department chair for entrance to the thesis track are required to have a letter of support from a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of English. After they have completed 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, M.A. candidates in the thesis track are required to begin the thesis process by registering for ENG 6971: Thesis.
After they have completed 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, M.A. candidates in the non-thesis track must complete an additional 6 credit hours of coursework.
Graduate English Core (6 credit hours)
- ENG 5009 - Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
3.0 Credit Hours
Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
Examination of the history and current state of literary studies and introduction to current methods and resources necessary for advanced literary studies. ENG 5009 must be taken concurrently with or prior to ENG 6018.
- ENG 6018 - History of Literary Theory
3.0 Credit Hours
History of Literary Theory
Survey of literary theory from Plato to contemporary thought.
One of the following (6 credit hours)
- ENG 6971 - Thesis OR 6 credit hours of approved electives
1.0-6.0 Credit Hours
Thesis OR 6 credit hours of approved electives
Graded on satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
Choose four courses from the following (12 credit hours)
- CRW 6130 - Workshop in Fiction Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Fiction Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating fiction. Students will be expected to write original publishable fiction and critique writing produced in class. Permission is required.
- CRW 6236 - Workshop in Creative Non-Fiction Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Creative Non-Fiction Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating original pieces of creative non-fiction. Permission is required.
- CRW 6331 - Workshop in Poetry Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Poetry Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating poetry. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with both traditional forms and free verse. Permission is required.
- CRW 6806 - Workshop in Teaching Creative Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Teaching Creative Writing
The teaching of workshop methods used in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction writing classes. Emphasis on writing standards, resources, evaluation methods, publishing, and course planning. Permission is required.
- CRW 6934 - Special Topics in Creative Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Special Topics in Creative Writing
A writing workshop with a central theme such as autobiography, nature writing, the persuasive essay, biography, or studies of place. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
Choose 12 credit hours total from three of the following five blocks:
Block I
- ENL 6297 - Topics in British Literature to the Romantics
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in British Literature to the Romantics
Studies in major figures or movements in British literature until 1789.
Block II
- ENL 6298 - Topics in British Literature from the Romantics to Present
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in British Literature from the Romantics to Present
Studies in major figures or movements in British literature from 1789. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
Block III
- AML 6506 - Topics in American Literature to 1900
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in American Literature to 1900
This course examines canonical and non-canonical texts of early American literature. Emphasis on specialized study of one or more selected authors or genres. Theoretical and critical approaches current in the field will be stressed. In close consultation with the professor, students will produce a substantial body of written work reflecting their own research interests.
Block IV
- AML 6507 - Topics in American Literature 1900-Present
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in American Literature 1900-Present
This course examines canonical and non-canonical texts post-1900 American literature. Emphasis on specialized study of one or more selected authors or genres. Theoretical and critical approaches current in the field will be stressed. In close consultation with the professor, students will produce a substantial body of written work reflecting their own research interests.
Block V
- ENC 5945 - English Internship
3.0 Credit Hours
English Internship
Course description: Students will be placed in internship positions with professional businesses and non-profit organizations in which they may use their advanced skills in writing, research, creativity, and analysis within a professional environment. Students will write final evaluations of their employer site, a lengthy research & reflection paper, and a professional portfolio. 12 hours of graduate courses must be completed prior to taking course. Permission is required. Offered only Fall and Spring Semesters.
- LIT 5018 - Topics in Fiction
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in Fiction
Special topics in fiction. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
- ENC 5333 - Topics in Rhetoric
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in Rhetoric
Examination of various topics in rhetoric, composition and / or pedagogy as they apply to the history, theory, analysis, and/or practice of rhetoric. Topics change each term. Contact department or instructor for specific topic.
- LIT 5556 - Feminist Theory
3.0 Credit Hours
Feminist Theory
This course offers focused study of both the history of feminist theory and contemporary developments in feminist theory. The course will cover both pre-modern ("proto") and modern ("first-wave") feminist works by women as well as explore contemporary ("second" and "third-wave") feminist theory. Specific course readings will vary from year to year.
- ENG 5009 - Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
Graduate English Core (21 credit hours)
- ENG 5009 - Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
3.0 Credit Hours
Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
Examination of the history and current state of literary studies and introduction to current methods and resources necessary for advanced literary studies. ENG 5009 must be taken concurrently with or prior to ENG 6018.
- ENG 6018 - History of Literary Theory
3.0 Credit Hours
History of Literary Theory
Survey of literary theory from Plato to contemporary thought.
- ENG 6019 - Topics in Literary Theory
3 Credit Hours
Topics in Literary Theory
Topics in literary theory.
- AML 6506 - Topics in American Literature to 1900
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in American Literature to 1900
This course examines canonical and non-canonical texts of early American literature. Emphasis on specialized study of one or more selected authors or genres. Theoretical and critical approaches current in the field will be stressed. In close consultation with the professor, students will produce a substantial body of written work reflecting their own research interests.
- AML 6507 - Topics in American Literature 1900-Present
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in American Literature 1900-Present
This course examines canonical and non-canonical texts post-1900 American literature. Emphasis on specialized study of one or more selected authors or genres. Theoretical and critical approaches current in the field will be stressed. In close consultation with the professor, students will produce a substantial body of written work reflecting their own research interests.
- ENL 6297 - Topics in British Literature to the Romantics
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in British Literature to the Romantics
Studies in major figures or movements in British literature until 1789.
- ENL 6298 - Topics in British Literature from the Romantics to Present
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in British Literature from the Romantics to Present
Studies in major figures or movements in British literature from 1789. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
One of the following (6 credit hours)
- ENG 6971 - Thesis OR 6 credit hours of approved electives
1.0-6.0 Credit Hours
Thesis OR 6 credit hours of approved electives
Graded on satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
Choose three courses from the following (9 credit hours)
- CRW 6130 - Workshop in Fiction Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Fiction Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating fiction. Students will be expected to write original publishable fiction and critique writing produced in class. Permission is required.
- CRW 6236 - Workshop in Creative Non-Fiction Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Creative Non-Fiction Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating original pieces of creative non-fiction. Permission is required.
- CRW 6331 - Workshop in Poetry Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Poetry Writing
Writing, editing, and evaluating poetry. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with both traditional forms and free verse. Permission is required.
- CRW 6806 - Workshop in Teaching Creative Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Workshop in Teaching Creative Writing
The teaching of workshop methods used in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction writing classes. Emphasis on writing standards, resources, evaluation methods, publishing, and course planning. Permission is required.
- LIT 5018 - Topics in Fiction
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in Fiction
Special topics in fiction. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
- ENC 5333 - Topics in Rhetoric
3.0 Credit Hours
Topics in Rhetoric
Examination of various topics in rhetoric, composition and / or pedagogy as they apply to the history, theory, analysis, and/or practice of rhetoric. Topics change each term. Contact department or instructor for specific topic.
- ENC 5945 - English Internship
3.0 Credit Hours
English Internship
Course description: Students will be placed in internship positions with professional businesses and non-profit organizations in which they may use their advanced skills in writing, research, creativity, and analysis within a professional environment. Students will write final evaluations of their employer site, a lengthy research & reflection paper, and a professional portfolio. 12 hours of graduate courses must be completed prior to taking course. Permission is required. Offered only Fall and Spring Semesters.
- LIT 5556 - Feminist Theory
3.0 Credit Hours
Feminist Theory
This course offers focused study of both the history of feminist theory and contemporary developments in feminist theory. The course will cover both pre-modern ("proto") and modern ("first-wave") feminist works by women as well as explore contemporary ("second" and "third-wave") feminist theory. Specific course readings will vary from year to year.
- CRW 6934 - Special Topics in Creative Writing
3.0 Credit Hours
Special Topics in Creative Writing
A writing workshop with a central theme such as autobiography, nature writing, the persuasive essay, biography, or studies of place. Topics change each term. See department or instructor for specific topic.
- ENG 5009 - Introduction to Advanced Literary Study
Admission Requirements
Applicants will submit a portfolio of materials, detailed below, to be reviewed by the department’s Graduate Committee. For further information, please contact the department. Other criteria for successful admission include:
- An institutional undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of coursework in the baccalaureate degree
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into the University of West Florida. Review application deadlines. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
- Submit a two-page statement of purpose that details intellectual and professional goals and describes how the M.A. in English at UWF will help fulfill those goals
- Submit three letters of recommendation from instructors or, in certain instances, current employers or colleagues who can speak to the applicant’s critical thinking and writing skills
- Submission of an academic writing sample (at least 2500 words of literary analysis. In cases where a work of literary analysis is not available, an upper-division or graduate-level analytical paper in another discipline would be supportive of admission. The committee is looking for evidence of the ability to write clearly, think critically, and draw conclusions from texts or information.)
- In addition, for those interested in the creative writing concentration, submission of a creative writing sample (2500 words of fiction/non-fiction prose or 10 poems. Select your sample from your strongest genre)
Students who meet other requirements, but lack some of the required undergraduate preparation, may be granted provisional admission to the M.A. program. All students admitted provisionally must satisfactorily complete specific requirements stipulated by the departmental graduate committee before full admission.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $12,691.80-$13,845.60 |
| In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 6) | $384.60 per credit hour | $10,384.20-$12,691.80 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $34,459.92-$37,592.64 |
| 90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $15,801.39-$17,237.88 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online campus programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 24 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
After receiving your Master of Arts in English, you can pursue a career in many industries.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Writers and Authors
Writers and authors may develop content for clients, employers or publishers. They may work with various media and diverse audiences. In 2021, writers and authors made a median annual salary of $69,510, although the highest 10 percent of earners made $133,580 annually. While the job outlook is predicted to be the same through 2031, online content development skills in social media and multimedia will be highly sought after.
Editors
Editors write, research, review and correct information for publication. Knowledge of writing styles, willingness to research and strong grammatical skills make strong editors, who earned a median annual salary of $63,350 in 2021. While a bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level editing positions, a master’s degree plus experience allows the top 10 percent of editors to earn median annual salaries of more than $129,420. Job outlook for editors is projected to decline 5 percent through 2031.
Technical Writers
Technical writers communicate complex information through deliverables such as brochures, memos, presentations, reports, instruction manuals and how-to guides. These employees work in corporations, businesses, factories and other industries. In addition to writing expertise, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial. Technical writers made a median annual salary of $78,060 in 2021, and the job outlook is expected to grow 6 percent through 2031, which is faster than average.
Postsecondary Teachers
These educators teach students at community colleges, public/private universities and trade schools. In addition to teaching, most postsecondary educators also fulfill administrative, service, advising and research duties. The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $79,640 in 2021. The demand for postsecondary educators is expected to grow much faster than average, at 12 percent through 2031.
High School Teachers
High school teachers prepare their students for colleges, universities, trade schools and future employment. They develop lesson plans, teach classes, grade assignments, assess behaviors and strengths, supervise students and collaborate with other teachers. Usually, high school teachers have a specialty in one or more subject areas. These teachers made a median annual salary of $61,820 in 2021, and jobs are expected to grow 5 percent through 2031.