English (MA/MS)
Elevate your love for literature and writing with a master's in English, where you can deepen your expertise and explore new horizons in literary analysis, creative writing and communication.
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Commerce.
- 2 years
- 30-36 credit hours
- Thesis and non-thesis options available
- Foreign language required for MA
Master the Art of Storytelling
A master's in English offers you the chance to master the art of storytelling by refining your writing, deepening your literary analysis and expanding your creative voice. Guided by expert faculty, you'll explore several genres and have the opportunity to develop the skills to craft compelling narratives while gaining a broader understanding of literature's cultural impact.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
You can pursue careers as a writer, editor, educator, literary critic or content creator in fields such as publishing, media and academia.
Careers and Salaries
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
Our program combines literary analysis, creative writing, and critical thinking to help prepare you for different writing, education and publishing careers.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Masterful Literary Analysis
Practice the ability to dissect and interpret intricate literary works, exploring their deep meanings across several genres and historical contexts.
Creative Writing Expertise
Refine your craft in storytelling, poetry and essay writing, mastering the art of voice, structure and narrative innovation.
Professional Writing Adaptability
Learn to shape your writing for various professional arenas—whether publishing, editing or digital content—ensuring your voice resonates across multiple platforms.
Innovative Pedagogy and Teaching
Cultivate the expertise to teach literature and writing with cutting-edge methodologies, preparing you to inspire and engage students across educational levels.
Taking Classes
Earning your master's degree just got easier at East Texas A&M. Our flexible program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals and future educators.
Online and Face-to-face
Our online courses allow you to attend classes when you have time each week. We also offer face-to-face courses at the main campus to fit your lifestyle and personal commitments.
Please check the schedule of classes for locations and times. Locations and times are subject to change.
Curriculum
Our program offers two areas of study toward a master’s degree. Explore which option best suits your career interests and research goals.
Thesis (MA/MS)
Interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in English? Our thesis track aims to prepare you to achieve that goal.
Non-Thesis (MA/MS)
Designed for educators and working professionals, the non-thesis track can open doors to careers in education, journalism and writing.
Areas of Study Include
Critical Literacy
- American Literature
- British Literature
- Children’s Literature
Written Discourse
- Theory and practice
- Composition
- Rhetoric
- Digital Humanities
Pedagogy
Teaching English, Reading and Writing
Adding Value with Certificates
Enhance your expertise and career prospects with a graduate certificate in areas like professional writing, literary analysis or teaching to complement your master’s degree.
Professional Advancement in English Studies Graduate Certificate
The Professional Advancement in English Studies Graduate Certificate provides students with the necessary English hours for students who wish to teach dual-credit or college-level courses in a field other than English. Students who pursue this certificate should already have a bachelor’s, master’s or PHD in a discipline other than English.
Studies in Children’s and Adolescent Literature Culture Graduate Certificate
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate
This certificate is ideal for students who either already hold a completed graduate degree or are actively in the process of earning a graduate degree and wish to earn this certificate in conjunction with their degree. In addition to the enhanced professional status that the Certificate in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) brings, this Certificate will enable the holder to meet the 18-hour SACS requirement to teach at the College level.
Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate and Minor
The Graduate Minor and Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies provide the opportunity for students to focus on the interdisciplinary study of issues that shape and define our understandings of masculinity, femininity and sexuality. The study of gender enhances knowledge of the global world historically and across cultures.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Rebecca Rowe, Ph.D.
Faculty
Charles Woods Ph.D.
Faculty
Karen Roggenkamp, Ph.D.
Faculty
Apryl Lewis, PhD
Alum
Student Organizations
Upsilon Beta Chapter
Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, is open to graduate students and offers a prestigious academic and professional development platform. As a member of the Upsilon Beta Chapter at East Texas A&M, you can gain access to exclusive opportunities such as scholarships, internships and fellowships, as well as a network of writers, scholars and educators. Membership can also provide opportunities to engage in student leadership roles, contribute to literary publications and collaborate with peers who share your passion for literature and writing.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
In no more than two pages explain;
- What is your area of study (literature, composition, etc.)?
- Why do you want to study that particular area? “I am interested in these types of questions/theories…”
- What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals? Short term education goals, long term career goals.
- Do we have any specific professors that you’d like to study under?
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Submit an academic paper no more than 10 pages in length.
Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
- Fall admission consideration: May 15
- Spring admission consideration: October 15
- Summer admission consideration: March 15
Applicants must have a completed admissions file by May 10 for fall consideration.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
In no more than two pages explain;
- What is your area of study (literature, composition, etc.)?
- Why do you want to study that particular area? “I am interested in these types of questions/theories…”
- What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals? Short term education goals, long term career goals.
- Do we have any specific professors that you’d like to study under?
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Submit an academic paper no more than 10 pages in length.
Request one signed, and dated letter of recommendation; on official agency or organization letterhead, preferably from a past professor, college instructor, or from a professional who currently supervises the applicant or who has in the past and can attest to their academic preparedness to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $33,601 USD which is less than six months old
See the Office of International Program’s “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Literature and Languages
- 903.886.5260
- [email protected]
- David Talbot Hall of Languages