Master's in English

Advance your writing, research, and teaching skills with UNC Greensboro’s Master of Arts in English. This flexible graduate program prepares students for careers in education, publishing, communications, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, and other humanities-centered fields. Graduates also build a strong foundation for doctoral study.

Designed for working professionals and full-time students alike, the program combines personal faculty mentorship, hands-on coursework, and affordable tuition. Students can tailor their experience through one of three concentrations: Thesis, Teaching Composition, or Careers in the Humanities, aligning their studies with their academic interests and professional goals.

Master’s in English PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

UNCG’s Department of English combines rigorous academic training with personalized faculty support. Professors include published authors, accomplished researchers, and dedicated mentors committed to student success.

• Study in one of North Carolina’s top-ranked English graduate programs. UNCG’s M.A. in English ranks No. 3 among English graduate programs in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report (2025).
• Join a well-connected and respected academic community. The department maintains membership in leading professional organizations, including the Association of Departments of English, the South Atlantic Association of Departments of English, and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.
• Learn from recognized teachers and mentors. Faculty members regularly earn university-wide awards for excellence in teaching, mentorship, and student support.
• Gain leadership experience through innovative humanities initiatives. Department leaders Dr. Heather Adams and Dr. Jennifer Feather co-founded the Mellon Foundation-funded Humanities at Work program. English M.A. students can pursue graduate assistantships that support community partnerships, student engagement, and humanities career development.

THE M.A. in English STUDENT EXPERIENCE

An English master’s student completes 30 credit hours of critical literature, language, and writing studies. Our graduate programs offer paths in which students will complete internships and gain valuable real-life experience while pursuing their degree. Graduate students consistently remark on the strong sense of community in the graduate English program, with strong mentorship between students, mentors, and faculty members.

Students can focus their studies on one of three areas:

• Thesis Plan: Conduct independent research and complete a thesis under faculty guidance. This option is especially well suited for students planning to pursue a Ph.D. in English or related fields.
• Teaching Composition Plan: Develop expertise in writing instruction and composition pedagogy. This pathway prepares students to teach writing and English studies, including at the community college level.
• Careers in the Humanities Plan: Apply advanced communication, research, and critical-thinking skills to a wide range of professional settings. This flexible pathway supports diverse career goals across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Click here for more FAQs regarding English graduate programs at UNCG.

AFTER GRADUATIng with a Master’s in English

After graduating with a Master of Arts in English degree from UNC Greensboro, students are prepared to pursue doctoral study, teach at community colleges and other postsecondary institutions, or apply their advanced communication, research, and analytical skills across a wide range of professions. Graduates build careers in education, publishing, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, government, marketing, and other fields that value critical thinking and effective communication.

Potential Career Paths

• College/University Professor
• Digital Copywriter
• Editor/Editorial Assistant
• Journalist
• Secondary School Teacher
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Museum and Cultural Center Work

Get More Information About the EnGlish, M.A. Program