English MA

About the English MA Program at Loyola

Whether you are looking to pursue a PhD in English or to go into a broad range of fields from marketing to secondary education, the English MA program at Loyola University Chicago can prepare you to achieve your goals.

Many of our master in English graduates go on to doctoral programs in English and library science or to work in marketing, web content production/management, secondary education, publishing, marketing, editing, grant writing, and technical writing.

Through a wide array of graduate courses, you will develop your ability to think critically. You will learn in small classes that allow for lively discussions, insightful feedback on your writing, and personal connections with faculty scholars and your peers in the English MA program.

You will also expand your knowledge and skills through collaborating with faculty on research and through internships and other hands-on learning opportunities.

Program Structure

The English MA program can be pursued full time or part time. The majority of graduate seminars are offered in the evenings and late afternoons at the Lake Shore Campus, right along Lake Michigan, in a diverse and dynamic residential area.

The Loyola Master in English is a 10-course/30-credit-hour program. If you attend full time, you can complete the English MA program in a year and a half.

Why Choose Loyola for the English MA Program?

English Department

The Department of English encompasses a wide range of theoretical approaches to the study of literature and rhetoric. Find stories showcasing current students and graduates from the English MA program and learn more about why Loyola is right for you.

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the English MA program.

Loyola Stories

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the English MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide English MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2024-2025 Catalog

• English MA

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the English MA totals $34950.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,165.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

The Graduate School Funding Opportunities

Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

The Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the English MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Fall: June 30

Please note that applications will not be reviewed until after the deadline has passed.

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the English MA include:

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

• 3 Letters of Recommendation

• Statement of Purpose

• Writing Sample

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Ideally, applicants should have completed 30 semester hours of undergraduate English, including courses in both early and modern British literature, American literature and literary theory.

Statement of Purpose Details

Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals.

Writing Sample Details

Please supply a sample of your academic writing, between 10 and 20 pages in length. A good writing sample is usually an essay that engages with literary criticism or theory appropriate to its topic and makes an interpretative argument about one or more works of literature.

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.