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English: Literary & Cultural Studies

Designed for those seeking to teach literature at two-year colleges, high school teachers preparing to offer dual credit or seeking continuing education, and those planning to apply to PhD programs in literature. Study in small classes with experienced specialists in a wide variety of literary specialties. Like all concentrations in the EIU English MA, this program may be completed online or on campus, full-time or part-time.

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English: Literary & Cultural Studies

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Degree Level
Master of Arts
Delivery
In Person / Fully Online / Accelerated
Time to Degree
4 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Language, Postsecondary, Editors, Writers, Authors
English: Literary & Cultural Studies students at EIU

Why Study English: Literary & Cultural Studies at EIU?

  • Study in small classes (graduate seminars are generally capped at 16) with PhD faculty who care about your success
  • Choose your experience: Our program can be completed on campus or completely online, full-time or part-time, depending on your needs
  • Our program is thesis-optional to serve the needs of those who want to undertake a solo project as well as those who find additional coursework more useful
  • Graduate assistantships are available to full-time, on-campus students on a competitive basis (apply by March 1 for the following fall if applying for an assistantship)
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
English: Literary & Cultural Studies | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, English: Literary & Cultural Studies at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • MA course projects introduce you to independent graduate-level research and analysis, but can often be customized for students with unique goals
  • A graduate-level internship class is available for interested students, with support from our departmental internship coordinator
  • Gain presentation experience at our annual student conference
Hands-On Experience, English: Literary & Cultural Studies students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The MA program in English offers you the opportunity to work closely with publishing scholars in the field of your choice. Small classes with vibrant, engaged faculty challenge and inspire you to pursue your interests and prepare for a career or further study. Our two-year program offers concentrations in literary and cultural studies, creative writing, and rhetoric and composition.

View in Catalog
$78,270
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • English Language & Literature…
  • Editors
  • Writers & Authors
  • Poets, Lyricists & Creative Writers

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook Average OutlookO*NET doesn't currently flag any of the careers linked to this program as Bright Outlook. That doesn't mean jobs aren't out there. It just means these careers aren't expected to grow quickly, don't have 75,000 or more projected openings, and aren't new and emerging.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit ArtisticArtistic interest typeYou like to create. This could mean visual art, performance, writing or music, or using design to shape objects and materials.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$15,147 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
15% of lifetime limit

$15,147 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Marjorie Worthington
Professor of English
mgworthington@eiu.edu
3321 Coleman Hall
217-581-2428
Marjorie Worthington Message Marjorie

Message Marjorie

or email mgworthington@eiu.edu directly
Angela Vietto
Professor of English and Chair, Department of English
arvietto@eiu.edu
3341
217-581-2428
Angela Vietto Message Angela

Message Angela

or email arvietto@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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