In the midst of a challenging time and an unexpectedly heavy workload [as a high school teacher], I still found great intellectual joy and fulfillment in the… classes I've taken at Tech. Parts of my brain that felt atrophied have been revived! I can't tell you how affirming it has been to hear young students in this program speak with authority and insight about the texts and theories we've studied. The instructors have been supportive without compromising high expectations for student work, a delicate balance indeed. I have been pushed to move beyond my comfort zone, and I am proud of the work I have done as part of this program. I cannot speak highly enough of my experience at Tech.
                                                                —Jami W., online MA student (2024)

Ranked #1 of Best Online Colleges for a Master's in English

Our Online M.A. has been recognized as 2020's #1 Best Online College for Value for a Master's in English, 2023's #4 Most Affordable Online Master's in English, and 2025's #12 Best Online College for a Master's in English because of its high academic standards and affordability. Our program offers quality, affordability, and accessibility.

Same Courses, Same Professors, Same Degree

As an online student in our English Department, you will be enrolled in the same courses as our onsite students, with the same professors, earning the same quality of degree.

Please note that at this time we are no longer accepting applications for online MA students in Creative Writing.  

Application Deadlines

• The application deadline for students wishing to begin the online MA English program in the Fall semester is May 20.
• The application deadline for students wishing to begin the online MA English program in the Spring semester is November 1.
• The application deadline for students wishing to begin the online MA English program in the Summer semester is March 29.

Plan ahead to avoid delay in the assessment of your application! Applying for the online MA in English? View tips for a successful application!

The GRE exam is NOT required for any program.

Admission to our graduate programs is based on a holistic assessment of your application materials. We look for applicants who show great promise for completing the requirements for the degree and whose interests correspond with the program's strengths. We look for writing samples that exhibit strong critical analysis, well-focused statements of academic purpose, and strong letters of recommendation that speak to an applicant's strong writing skills, potential to succeed in the program, work ethic, and critical and analytical skills.

Overview of Required Application Document

Submit the following materials to the Texas Tech Graduate School Application Portal:

1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
2. 700-word statement of purpose outlining your interest in our graduate program
3. 3 letters of recommendation. (Recommenders must send their letters directly through the TTU Graduate School application portal via a prompt generated by the system)
4. 8-10 page (or longer) critical writing sample

If you have any questions concerning the materials and documents you submit to the Graduate School, please email graduate.admissions@ttu.edu or english.gradadvisor@ttu.edu for assistance.

Contact Us

As the new Director of Graduate Studies I am excited to help lead our highly ranked online MA Program. We are invested in providing a rigorous, affordable, and accessible master’s degree in English to teachers and others who are looking to hone their writing and critical thinking skills and increase their knowledge of literature. I love that our online MA program distinguishes itself by being fully synchronous and that our online MAs get to integrate with our onsite grad students in nearly all of our graduate courses. If you have any questions about the program, please contact me!  

— Dr. Wyatt Phillips