OVERVIEW
Impact the Lives of Students Using Your English Education Master's Degree
Are you passionate about English literature, poetry, creative writing, and language? Are you ready to make a career move? Becoming an English teacher can help make a difference for students, helping them develop a passion for learning. This online English education master's degree prepares you for a teaching license and a meaningful career where you can inspire and motivate students. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, this online M.A. in Teaching, English Education degree program is your direct path to impacting young lives and becoming an English teacher with a teaching license. You'll be prepared to teach a wide variety of learners, working with their learning styles, and improving student outcomes and understanding. Learn more about teacher licensure in your state.
Students will take eight professional core courses that will prepare them to handle unique educational situations and become better teachers. These master of education courses focus on a variety of important topics including social and emotional learning, and technology and diversity inclusion in the classroom. Plus, students will get to use augmented reality experiences to give them the opportunity to practice their work before entering the classroom. These eight professional core courses are also coupled with preclinical experience to help ensure teachers are ready for their classroom.
88% of students finish within
24 Months*
Put your past knowledge and experience to work. WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,975
An affordable career change. Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. Finish faster, pay less!
Graduates who would recommend
97%
The vast majority of alumni say WGU delivered on its promises. In fact, over 50% of students found WGU thanks to a friend's recommendation.
COURSES & COMPETENCIES
English Education Courses
A curriculum designed for student success by master of education experts.
This online English Education teaching master's degree supports your curriculum planning and classroom management skills with advanced theory and practical experience. It is nationally recognized by the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE).
The WGU Master's degree in Teaching, English Education (Secondary) program is an online English teaching degree that was designed (and is regularly updated) with input from the experts on our Education Program Council. These experts know exactly what it takes for a graduate to qualify for a teacher’s license and be successful in a career teaching students in high school.
This program comprises the following courses. You will typically complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
The Master's of English Education (Secondary) is a mostly online English teaching program that you will complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 8-9 competency units each 6-month term. (One course is typically 2 units.)
19 Courses
Program consists of 19 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Professional Portfolio
Special requirements for this program
You will complete a professional portfolio, which will include your resume and Philosophy of Teaching Statement and serve as a way to showcase the skills you have acquired throughout your degree program and Demonstration Teaching.
“Doing my MAT and credential with WGU was by far the most affordable and efficient way I could have done it. I was able to work full time, and still complete my coursework in 18 months. Other schools were not going to allow me to work, estimated it would take 2 years for the program, and were going to cost nearly 3x as much. The coursework was challenging but not arduous, and the professors and staff were very supportive.”
—Kathryn
M.A. Teaching, English Education
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Why WGU?
You Aren't On Your Own
WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you set up your Demonstration Teaching, learn about teaching certification in your state, and more. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.
On Your Schedule
Students choose WGU for this online English education degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.
Licensure In Any State
WGU's online English education degree prepares you for a teaching license in any state in the United States. It's valuable to learn the other requirements in your state to know the full process for gaining licensure.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
When We Say Affordable We Mean It
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Master's Degree Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Education Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused online English teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.
"WGU has been a pleasure to work with! I recently completed my master's in teaching program and have been extremely impressed with the quality of my instructors, my program mentor, and the other WGU staff with whom I've interacted.”
—Katie
M.A. Teaching, English Education
CAREER OUTLOOK
A Master’s Degree in English Education Will Let You Put Your Passion to Work
A love of letters, literature, and language leads to an enriched life—and the crucial ability to communicate clearly is essential in an information-driven economy. Your passion for a good book, a well-crafted sentence, and a cleverly worded argument can translate to lifelong success for the students you teach. For English lovers whose bachelor's degree is in a related field—but not in K–12 education—this Master of Arts in Teaching degree program is the perfect path toward a higher degree, a teaching license, and a career you'll love.
Remember the great teachers who inspired you? You can make this same impact on the lives of your own students. If you're ready for a career change, an online English master's degree is your direct path to becoming a teacher. Change your life, and the lives of your students, by becoming an English teacher. (Grade-level eligibility will depend on your state’s corresponding license).
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
5%
Employment of all high school teachers is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU Has Alumni Teaching in Schools Across the Country
Graduates of WGU's online Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding teaching careers in classrooms at:
- Inclusionary K–12 classrooms
- Middle/junior high schools
- High schools
- Private and charter schools
Impressive Class of Graduates
Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology
- Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award
- Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award
- Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award
ADMISSIONS
English Education Master's Program Admission Requirements
To be considered eligible for enrollment into a M.A. in Teaching, English Education degree program, you must provide official transcripts that demonstrate you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized, institutionally accredited (also known as regionally accredited) university AND demonstrate readiness through one of the following:
- Option 1: Content-related undergraduate or graduate degree with GPA of at least 2.5 (or higher, depending upon your state).
- Option 2: Undergraduate or graduate degree with GPA of at least 2.5 (or higher, depending upon your state) and 24-30 hours of content specific coursework, equivalent to a major.
- Option 3: Undergraduate or graduate degree with GPA of at least 2.0 (or higher, depending upon your state), a passing score on the WGU program required basic skills test (e.g., Praxis CORE) and demonstrate content competency via one of the following pathways 1) 24-30 hours of content specific coursework, equivalent to a major OR 2) an undergraduate or graduate degree in a content-related area to which area of program you are seeking admission.
Students who are seeking initial teacher licensure in a bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, or master’s program must also pass a state-specific basic skills test for the state in which they live as a prerequisite to Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). (Registering and paying for the test is the student’s responsibility.) This requirement can be met either prior to admission or before beginning the Foundations of Teaching subject area once you are in your WGU program.
WGU’s teacher licensure programs also include Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in Preclinical Experiences and Demonstration Teaching. You must also submit to a criminal background check prior to entering the classroom for this component of your program.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
MORE DETAILS
Becoming a Licensed Teacher
State-specific licensure requirements: Each state in the U.S. has specific testing requirements that must be met or completed in addition to completing your teaching degree program at WGU. Teacher licensure requirements vary depending on state laws and may include a number of factors, such as:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree program
- Submission of transcripts
- Completion and clearance of a background check
- Passing of required entrance exams and basic skills tests
Preclinical Experiences
As part of this program, you'll participate in a wide range of in-classroom teaching experiences through at least 75 hours of in-classroom observation.
Demonstration Teaching
To help you prepare to work in classrooms, this program includes a student teaching component (we call it Demonstration Teaching, or DT). DT is a full-time, supervised, in-classroom experience of a minimum of 12–20 weeks during which you will be hosted by an experienced teacher and observed by a Clinical Supervisor. Your host teacher will evaluate your performance based on accepted professional standards. Learn more.
More About the M.A. in Teaching, English Education
- More About This Degree
- More About Teacher Licensure
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
