In this program, students will gain highly sought-after skills in analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving, preparing you for success in a variety of professional fields. This program focuses on the practical applications of English studies in a dynamic and ever-evolving world, through multidisciplinary project-based learning.
Our mission is to empower students with highly transferable skills in advanced analytical, critical interpretation, and effective communication through the practical application of English studies. In this career-focused online program, we prepare graduates to excel in diverse professional fields and navigate an evolving global landscape.
Navigate Emerging and Historical Issues: Learn to critically examine and respond to contemporary challenges through lenses like language, history, and communication.
Bridge Theory and Practice: Benefit from an applied focus, connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world applications and practical skills.
Develop Original Research, Creative, & Critical Works: Contribute your voice to the ongoing conversations in the multiple fields of English Studies.
Communicate with Diverse Audiences: Develop the ability to tailor your communication style to effectively engage varied audiences.
Master Pedagogy for Secondary and College Education: Explore effective teaching methodologies and strategies specifically designed for secondary and college-level English instruction.
Develop Culturally Aware Perspectives: Cultivate sensitivity and awareness of diverse cultural contexts and their influence on communication and interpretation.
Develop Flexible Transferable Skills: Cultivate a versatile skillset applicable to a wide range of careers, including communication, education, research, media, and beyond.
USI faculty and staff are dedicated to giving you the support you need no matter the modality for which you're taking classes. Check out our robust resources for online students including what online learning is, technology requirements and frequently asked questions.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution. Although applicants do not need to hold an undergraduate degree in English, preference will be given to those applicants with an educational background or work experience in English or a related field.
The MAES includes courses in Literature, Rhetoric and Writing, and Creative Writing. The Graduate Faculty in the English Department prefers to admit those students who appear to have the best chance of successfully completing the Master’s degree, and we assume the most successful students will be those whose educational backgrounds or work experiences indicate that they possess the abilities to examine, analyze, and write critically about a diverse range of texts in English.
Applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may also apply to the program, provided that the student majored in English and has a GPA in the major of 3.25 or higher.
Courses within the MAES are offered entirely online using a learning management system. Access to a reliable computer with internet access is required.
Course requirements will load when this section is opened.
Did you know that careers requiring a graduate degree — including a master’s program in English — are expected to grow by nearly 17% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics?
As a graduate of USI’s master’s degree in English online program, you can expect to find positions in K–12 schools or in higher education environments. Jobs for master’s in English graduates may include community college professor, content writer, post-secondary instructor and survey researcher or analyst.
Some of USI’s master’s program in English graduates also go on to doctoral programs. Whether you want to pursue terminal studies with a PhD or consider another career path — such as art or museum studies — our master’s degree in English online program will provide you with the knowledge and abilities to succeed in nearly any area.
Pursuing your MAES to be able to teach dual credit? If you’re interested in partnering with USI for dual credit, there may be funding available toward tuition and fees for 18 hours of the program. Contact Dana Drury for more information: dedrury@usi.edu
You may be eligible for a CAP Graduate Fee Waiver: https://www.usi.edu/cap/gfw
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
“As a student in USI’s master’s program in English, I took a wide range of classes — from Teaching Composition to Workshop in Creative Writing. I know that these courses, along with the support I received from faculty and peers, provided me with the skills and confidence to complete the program.” – Kathleen Bolander Academic Mentor, Purdue University Instructor, University of Southern Indiana
"I enjoyed my time in the MAES program. It taught me to think more broadly and organize my time well. It was difficult to complete while working full time, but I am glad I did it. After teaching for 10 years in public schools, I am now a Senior Instructional Designer for Cummins (3 years). I build eLearning training courses and curriculum programs for a global audience on systems, tools, processes, and products. I design the graphics, storyboards, and actual clickable interactions for the trainings as well as the written content. A large part of my job has been implementing a global translation process for the 21+ languages in which our work must delivered. I would say a Master’s Degree in English is always helpful in a writing-based career. Also, because I am an instructional designer, I still use learning theory daily. I would say my team leans on me a lot in that regard as many of them came directly from operations backgrounds."
"This program helped me get ready for teaching in academia more than I thought it would. The overall experience of the program was phenomenal - it was simultaneously one of the most challenging but rewarding aspects of my academic career. I felt supported by the faculty, especially from those on my thesis committee, and I know that is not the case with several programs out there. I am currently an Assistant Professor of English at Owensboro Community and Technical College. I teach mostly introductory English courses, some Intro Lit, and was able to develop my own class: Horror and Culture. We look at horror through various cultural and critical lenses including Marxist, Feminist, Psychoanalytical, and CRT. One of the more interesting facets of my job is that I am the Stage Manager/Co-Director for the theater department here at OCTC. I was brought in for my organizational skills but also my level of knowledge with Shakespeare plays. I have worked on several plays, but in relation to English, Hamlet and (currently) Twelfth Night and are my favorites so far! I frequently discuss my time in the MAES with my students and share knowledge gained from my time in the program that wasn't necessarily shared with me - like how difficult grad school is. But the work ethic that was instilled into me that only grad school can force onto somebody really helped me land this job and continues to help me in all aspects of the job. I use some of the same lessons, readings, etc. we used in our MAES classes (changed a bit for the lower level classes, of course). I learned better ways to communicate and my time in the program really made my writing reach a level I never thought possible. It also helped build parts of my CV - conferences, professional development, published work, etc."
"USI’s MAES program encourages critical thinking and engagement with all elements of the human experience, examining texts from a wide array of cultures and expanding what was once thought possible. After graduating in 2024, I went on to be an instructor in the very same department, utilizing the skills I gained to encourage a new generation of students to think deeply, ask questions, and explore the world through reading and writing."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in USI's MAES program. It was challenging in the best way. I enjoyed being part of an intimate classroom setting that fostered deeper exploration and discussion of the subject matter - whether that be teaching philosophy or contemporary writing. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been mentored by some of the best professors. They always pushed me to dig deeper and venture further in my research. I would not be the writer I am today if it had not been for USI's MAES program. I also deeply appreciated the flexibility of the program, especially once I joined the workforce. I was able to continue my education without missing a beat. I would be lying if I said that juggling the program and a full-time job wasn't challenging, however, the flexibility of the program and its professors made it possible. All in all, my time spent in the program was rewarding. It sharpened my time management and critical thinking skills, and overall made me a better researcher and writer. I would encourage anyone considering applying to the program to take the leap. Currently, I am a paralegal at a law firm. This isn't the career path I had necessarily envisioned but that is also an aspect I loved about my major. I never had one set career path in mind. I wanted to keep my options open and that allowed me the opportunity to be in the profession I am today. While an MAES was not a requirement for my position, my pursuit of my MAES made me a standout candidate during the hiring process due to my strong background in research and writing and ultimately helped me to obtain a higher starting salary than would have been offered had I not been pursuing my MAES."
