Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
On-Campus
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.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for the English MA Program?
- Learn from scholar-teachers
- Excellent preparation for jobs for English degrees
- Receive a balanced education
- Wide range of courses across historical periods
- Training in teaching skills
- Collaborate with Loyola faculty
You will learn from nationally respected faculty who are also active scholars. They take pride in their teaching and will give you the care, attention, and support you deserve.
Whether you want to go on to a PhD program in English or pursue a career in publishing, marketing, professional writing, or teaching, you can achieve your goals at Loyola.
The English master's degree at Loyola University Chicago offers you a balanced education in literature, theory, and textual studies.
The program spans three historical subject areas in in English, American, and Anglophone literature, covering literary and critical theory, post-colonial and global literatures, cultural studies, textual scholarship, digital humanities, and the teaching of writing.
You can opt to follow a teaching track with two courses in pedagogy and a semester internship with a Loyola faculty member or at an area 2- or 4-year institution.
You will have opportunities to participate in conferences and symposia with faculty and visiting lecturers and to work with faculty on research projects. You can also pursue your own research as well as take courses in Loyola's MA program in digital humanities.
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.
Department WebsiteDepartment News and StoriesMeet 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.
FacultyEnglish Career Connections
Loyola University Chicago offers one of the best MA English programs to prepare for earning a PhD in English or a related field as well as a range of jobs for those with an English master's degree.
Specific job options include:
- Author
- Editor
- Copywriter
- Publisher
- Professor
- Librarian
- Journalist
- Advertising executive
- Content marketing manager
- Grant writer
- Technical writer
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
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.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogCosts, 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 $33750.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,125.00 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 Scholarships
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.
Schedule an AppointmentThe 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.
View all EventsVisit 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:
Fall: June 30
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the English MA include:
Transcripts
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. Please note there is a writing sample requirement that needs to be completed in addition to this section.
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.
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