English Literature MA at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The MA in Literature is a flexible programme that gives students considerable freedom to choose courses in English and related disciplines, and admits a small cohort each year. It suits students without an English literature bachelor's who want to deepen knowledge of the literary canon and critical theory. No financial aid is available for MA students.

Faculty: Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of English | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

No required course structure; students choose courses in English and related fields, and interdisciplinary clusters are open to MA students.

Career pathways

Graduates have gone into secondary teaching and publishing or PhD programmes (UC Santa Barbara, USC, Miami University of Ohio); the MA is not a prerequisite for the PhD, which requires a separate application.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

However, this program appeals to a select audience, including students who may not have earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature but who want to increase their knowledge of the literary canon and critical theory. Because an MA is not a prerequisite for admission into our PhD program, students accepted into our Master's program who are interested in pursuing doctoral work must apply separately to the PhD program and compete with its annual pool of applicants.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

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