Overview

The English programme at Northern Illinois University provides a comprehensive graduate education designed to enhance critical thinking, analytical writing, and cultural understanding. Students can tailor their academic journey through specialised tracks that align with their specific career aspirations and research interests.

This advanced degree is structured to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. Those seeking a traditional academic experience can engage in on-campus study, while the General Studies option offers a flexible online or hybrid format. This flexibility ensures that educators and other professionals can advance their qualifications without compromising their current employment commitments.

The curriculum is divided into two distinct pathways.

Why English at Northern Illinois University?

The department is distinguished by its diverse range of study areas, including Literature, Film, and Culture, as well as Writing and Rhetoric. Students benefit from a supportive academic environment that offers graduate assistantships for eligible full-time on-campus participants, providing valuable professional experience alongside their studies.

The university provides robust resources such as the Writers' Workshop and the University Writing Center to support student success. Furthermore, the programme's unique General Studies track allows for a broad exploration of literary history and linguistics, ensuring graduates possess a well-rounded mastery of the English language and its various applications.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 775 per credit
National fee: USD 388 per credit
Local fee: USD 388 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to provide a deep understanding of literary analysis and rhetorical theory. Students must complete either a final comprehensive examination or a capstone project to graduate. Modules may include:

Literature, Film, and Culture
Education in English Language Arts
Writing and Rhetoric
Literature and Rhetoric
Literary History
Linguistics
Composition

Careers with English

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for a variety of professional roles across multiple sectors. Many alumni pursue careers in secondary or higher education, while others find success in professional writing, editing, and corporate communications. The analytical skills developed during the course are highly valued in industries such as media, publishing, and public relations.

The department maintains a strong focus on job placement for its graduate students, offering guidance for those entering the competitive academic or professional job markets. By fostering expertise in communication and critical analysis, the university ensures its graduates are equipped to adapt to the evolving demands of the global workforce.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

English Drama: 1660-1800
18th Century English Novel

British Romantic Period

History of the English Language
Pedagogical Grammar
Varieties of English

Semantics
Rhetoric of Prose Composition
Methods of Research in Professional Writing
Master’s Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-10 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-09-15 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2027-03-15 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

30 - 36 credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

DeKalb, United States

Disciplines

Language Studies View 856 other Masters in Language Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or one with equivalent recognition.

Achieved a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale, or the equivalent.

If you received a three-year degree awarded through the Bologna process in Europe or a three-year Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Business Administration awarded in India, you are eligible to apply (provided you are seeking admission to the MBA or OMIS program).

Transcripts

Letters of recommendation.

Statement of purpose.

Test scores (if required).

Resume or curriculum vitae (optional)

Additional materials required by your program.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

11925 USD / year

≈ 11925 USD / year
Out-of-State

5955 USD / year

≈ 5955 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

5955 USD / year

≈ 5955 USD / year

Additional Details

National and International: 878.99 per credit Local: 509.75 per credit

Living costs

DeKalb

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for English.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

DeKalb

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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