Online Master’s in English: Education Emphasis
Online Master’s in English: Education Emphasis
Start your GCU
journey today.
journey today.
We're here to help.
The Master of Arts in English with an Emphasis in Education at Grand Canyon University can prepare you to pursue a teaching career at some two- and four-year institutions of higher learning. If you enjoy rhetoric, literature and pedagogy, this graduate-level study in English will teach you the skills to become an educational leader in a world of undergraduate English education. College-level teaching typically requires a PhD or doctoral degree, though some community college instructors may qualify with a master’s degree and relevant work experience.1
Median annual wage for postsecondary English language and literature teachers as of May 20232
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
By pursuing this online MA degree in English, you can acquire professional skills relevant across multiple fields. These skills are transferable, offering flexibility to apply your knowledge in various professional settings.
Skills you will be taught in this program include the following:
To help you make an informed decision about your academic and professional goals, we’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions. These insights can help provide clarity on the program’s structure, benefits and how it aligns with your career aspirations.
A master’s degree that focuses on English language and literature is a graduate-level program that takes an in-depth look at topics such as writing theory, rhetoric, composition and the social contexts of written language. At GCU, you can earn this degree coupled with an emphasis on education. This emphasis structure is designed for students who aspire to become postsecondary English teachers.1
If you have a strong personal interest in English with a passion for teaching, this degree may be worth your consideration. You’ll explore competencies in writing and composition, along with instructional methods and pedagogy to build your teaching skills and classroom management strategies. Those who desire to turn their passion for literature into a career may indeed find this degree program to be beneficial.
This graduate program is rigorous and may be demanding, particularly for students without a strong background in English or teaching. The program requires the development of lesson plans, engaging in in-depth research and mastering advanced topics such as literature, composition, linguistics and pedagogy. While it is designed to be challenging, the support of knowledgeable faculty and the structured curriculum is aimed at helping you build the necessary skills and knowledge for a career in education. The difficulty level often depends on your prior experience and commitment to the coursework.
Prepare to share your passion for language and literature with postsecondary students and inspire them to achieve their full potential. This online MA degree in English with an education emphasis combines both literature and pedagogy, incorporating various teaching approaches and techniques that can help promote student engagement, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of literary texts and writing.
You have a range of career pathways available to you, including opportunities to influence educational practices and contribute to the field in impactful ways. You will be taught the skills needed to teach English at secondary and postsecondary levels, where you can impart your knowledge in literature, composition and language arts.
Some graduates may become postsecondary English and literature teachers at local colleges and universities. Others may find work in the research and publishing industries, as well as other higher education institutions.3 Be sure to check your state and college teaching requirements, as teaching at the college level usually requires a doctoral degree, but some community colleges may accept instructors with a master’s degree and relevant experience.1
Estimated job growth rate for postsecondary teachers from 2023 to 20334
Prepare to empower students at the postsecondary level. Build an academic framework in teaching English with a master's degree from GCU.
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university — a designation that reflects our commitment to thoroughly preparing our students to face modern workplace challenges with confidence and integrity. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become a Postsecondary Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 7, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on Aug. 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary English language and literature teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). What Postsecondary Teachers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 7, 2024.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers, retrieved on Sept. 5, 2024.
Pursue an online master’s in English degree that is designed for working professionals needing flexibility. Our advanced online learning platform offers seamless access to course materials and connects you with a diverse peer network, all while you balance your career and personal life.
This program covers essential topics that provide a strong foundation for professional growth in teaching English. Courses and topics in these areas work together to teach core competencies that can support your future work. These topics may also teach proficiencies and knowledge that may be applied to other areas of your life.
This master’s degree is built around four important domains:
This area of study teaches you how to design curriculum that meets students’ needs and aligns with academic standards and institutional programming requirements. The program will provide you with insights into best practices for teaching recent high school graduates and adult learners and will emphasize the use of remote learning tools to advance the future of online learning.
This area teaches you to apply specific writing, literature and rhetoric practices. You will have opportunities to develop materials that can engage learners and support student outcomes. In this master’s degree in English program, you will be taught to apply current theories and practices related to teaching and assessment.
This focus encourages you to practice writing for different situations. You’ll be prompted to apply various types of writing elements to recognize the expectations of genre and audience. In addition, you will be encouraged to reflect upon the ethical implications of writing.
This coursework emphasizes the role of technology in writing and vice versa. You will be taught to analyze theories of communication in order to address contemporary writing and rhetoric issues in the classroom.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s in English with an education emphasis offers advanced training in the discipline of English.
This training uses various techniques and strategies, such as:
Logical reasoning
Emotional appeals
Ethical arguments
Critical thinking
Educational research methods
Best practices in teaching
Techniques for writing and composition
