Online Master’s Degree in Literature Reading Between the Lines
36
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Study Great Works of Literature Throughout History with Liberty’s Master of Arts in Literature Degree Online
Do you love learning about other people, places, and time periods? Are you easily captivated by the power of a well-told story and excited to dive into the deeper meaning of a book, poem, or play? Does the way literature has grown and changed over time fascinate you? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then a Master of Arts (MA) in Literature may be right for you!
Liberty University’s 100% online master’s in literature program is designed to provide a well-rounded look at great literary works across the globe. In this program, you’ll explore influential authors from many different times, places, and literary genres – equipping you to think critically about culture and the way that ideas are disseminated through stories. You can also hone your writing abilities and practice crafting persuasive, logical arguments – skills that are essential in nearly all professional career endeavors.
Furthermore, this degree can help equip you to analyze literature, produce independent, scholarly research in the field, and understand how premises and presuppositions influence the conversations taking place in today’s public square – and in literary text. Partner with us and earn a flexible degree that can prepare you to communicate important ideas and share the beauty of literature with others.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in Literature Program?
Liberty has been a pioneer in distance learning since 1985. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to providing a flexible, world-class education has not. Our master’s in literature is offered 100% online with mostly 8-week courses and no set login times – giving you the freedom to continue your education without putting your life on hold. Not only that, but you can complete this program in 36 credit hours – much faster than a standard residential degree!
At Liberty, you won’t have to sacrifice quality for flexibility. We are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, our courses are taught by experts in the field who have spent years teaching at the college level, contributing to publications, and diving into niche areas of literature. By pursuing your degree from an accredited university that offers top-notch mentorship, you can better prepare to pursue your future goals.
As a master’s in literature student, you’ll have the opportunity to develop essential skills that are applicable to many different industries – skills such as writing, critical thinking, research, communication, and reasoning. Maybe you want to eventually earn your PhD, write for scholarly journals, and pass on your love of literature to the next generation as a university professor. Or perhaps you’d prefer to pursue an industry job in editing, publishing, copywriting, marketing, or another area where you can apply your expertise. Either way, our master’s in literature program can help you work toward the next step in your professional journey.
What Will You Study in Our Online Literature Degree?
Our online master’s in literature includes several core courses that cover writings from different cultures, time periods, and countries. In particular, you’ll study British, American, classical, contemporary, African-American, and world literature. You’ll also take a course dedicated to reading and examining the works of William Shakespeare.
In addition to conducting an extensive survey of literature throughout history, you’ll learn about graduate-level research and bibliography methods – so you can prepare to contribute new research and scholarship to your field. You’ll also explore literary theory as a practical tool for interpreting texts and practice analyzing literature from a variety of critical approaches.
Additionally, you will complete a research seminar – then customize your degree by either completing a thesis or taking 2 graduate-level English and writing elective courses. The thesis may be the best option for you if you plan to pursue a terminal degree, as many doctoral programs look for applicants who have completed a master’s thesis. Researching and writing a thesis could also help you get published in an academic journal – which is important if you’re considering a long-term career in academia.
Alternatively, if you’ve determined that you don’t necessarily need a thesis to pursue your particular goals, you may want to consider taking elective courses instead. Electives give you the chance to broaden your horizons and customize your degree with studies in the topics that most interest you. Some of the subjects you could explore include rhetoric, editing and publishing, writing as cultural engagement, etymology, English grammar, or grant writing. Many of these courses may be especially helpful if you want to branch into a career outside of academia.
Potential Career Opportunities
Some of the careers you could pursue with a master’s degree in literature include:
- Author
- Digital copywriter
- Digital marketer
- Editor
- Grant writer
- Professor
- Publisher
- Technical writer
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Graduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Master’s in Literature Degree Online
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liberty accredited?
Liberty University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
How long will it take to complete this literature degree?
You can complete your online literature degree in 36 credit hours!
How do I decide between writing a final thesis or taking elective courses?
Customize your degree plan by either researching and writing a final thesis or broadening your skill set through elective courses.
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