College of Arts and Sciences
Transform your love of literature and writing into a career that inspires, teaches and influences the world. Our M.A. in English program empowers students to write their own success stories, offering a flexible format and specialized tracks to prepare you to make an impact in any field.
Whether you see yourself writing novels, building digital content or shaping young minds as a teacher, Seton Hall’s M.A. in English is the perfect place to start. With evening classes and a hybrid format, the program is designed for thinkers, writers and creators who want to deepen their expertise and sharpen their skills—without hitting pause on life.
Concentrations in Literature, Writing, Creative Writing and (NEW!) Professional Writing offer adaptability based on your career, academic or intellectual interests. With a wide range of electives, students can perfect their writing skills in a niche area or gain versatile, transferable skills that can be applied in all industries.
Plus, Seton Hall is just a few miles from New York City, with opportunities to engage the worlds of literature, publishing, marketing, finance and more just a short train ride away.
Accreditation & Awards
"Students indulge not only in compelling storytelling, but also in how to apply great writing in marketing, content creation, legal writing, technical writing or management fields."
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants are required to complete our online graduate application and submit the following materials:
- Required application fee ($75, waivers available)
- Personal statement (750-1000 words)
- Resume
- Official academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
In addition to the general University requirements, the Department of English requires:
- At least 18 undergraduate credits in English and American literature and/or writing
- Literature Track only: A reading knowledge of French, German, Italian or Spanish as attested by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures*
*Subject to approval, Latin, Greek or another language may be substituted. Reading knowledge will be demonstrated through a foreign language translation examination. Students who cannot pass the language exam may take the Rapid Reading and Translation course, offered in the Spring, in its place. This course is offered in French or Spanish every other year. A final written comprehensive examination is required.
Deadlines
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Fall Semester
July 1
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Spring Semester
November 1
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Summer Semester
April 1
Applicants interested in competitive teaching assistantships are encouraged to apply by March 1 for priority consideration.
International Students Welcome!
Seton Hall welcomes applications from international students for admission into full-time graduate degree programs.
Curriculum Overview
The M.A. in English offers a comprehensive, student-centered approach to literary studies, emphasizing rigorous reading and advanced writing skills valued in many fields.
Students first complete a foundational course, Introduction to Literary Research, and then choose a concentration track based on their interests and goals:
- Literature – Deepen your literary expertise; ideal for students planning to pursue a doctoral program or those interested in further literary study.
- Writing – Designed for current or future English teachers at the secondary level, or for those interested in graduate studies in rhetoric and composition.
- Creative Writing – Develop your writing skills with mentorship; perfect for aspiring writers, those interested in teaching creative writing or aiming to pursue an M.F.A. or a Ph.D. in creative writing.
- Professional Writing – Master technical writing genres, styles and context to immediately transition into careers in public relations, publishing, journalism, science and medical writing – or a graduate Ph.D. in English.
Courses cover topics British literature, American literature and critical theory, among others.
Students can take classes either in-person or online, offering flexibility for busy schedules and working professionals. Courses can be taken from the comfort of their home or office, without the need for a commute, but with all the live and active discussion of a traditional classroom.
In all formats, students find engaging class discussions, connect with faculty mentors and receive one-on-one guidance.
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4
Specialized Tracks
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10
Average Class Size
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30+
Publications by Faculty
Experiential Learning
Attend exclusive readings and Q&A sessions with leading contemporary authors, like Juan Felipe Herrera, through our Poetry-in-the-Round series.
Career Opportunities
With an M.A. in English from Seton Hall, your career possibilities are as varied and dynamic as the stories you’ll craft. Our graduates have gone on to become leaders in a wide array of fields from publishing, law, education and many others.
You’ll find our students consistently placed in prestigious internships at venues like One Story, while alumni go on to top Ph.D. and M.F.A programs, pursue law school and take on leadership roles in marketing, grant, finance and publishing.
What else can you do with a master’s degree in English? Step directly into the fast-paced world of publishing as a copy editor or book reviewer. Or, picture yourself in your own classroom, sharing your love of literature and writing to shape the next generation of writers, thinkers and creators.
As a professional writer, you might find yourself crafting compelling content for blogs, websites or social media, helping brands tell their stories. Or, perhaps you’ll lean toward technical writing in industries like health, science or technology, translating complex information into digestible content.
In today’s digital age, the possibilities are endless as the demand for skilled writers continues to rise. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked technical writing as the second-best job in creative and media industries. Yet, despite this strong demand, Seton Hall is the only university in New Jersey whose graduate program in English has a track focused specifically on this growing field.
$73,960
Median Pay for writers and authors (BLS)
1,850,000+
Jobs held by those with an English degree (BLS)
15,000+
Projected job openings for writers and authors each year, on average, through 2033 (BLS)
Our alumni work at the best organizations around the world.
Our Faculty and Students
Seton Hall Expands M.A. in English with Professional Writing Concentration
How a Shakespeare Expert Parlayed Passion Into a Career
Former Creative Writing Student Wins O. Henry Award for Short Fiction
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.
We offer competitively funded teaching assistantship positions (including annual stipends and tuition remission) that incorporate unparalleled mentorship and training with independent experience teaching at the university level.
Applicants interested in competitive teaching assistantships are encouraged to apply by March 1 for priority consideration.
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50%
Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the M.A. in English program?
Is a thesis or capstone required as part of my studies?
- The Literature and Creative Writing tracks culminate in a thesis, or an article-length study on a literary topic on your choice chosen in consultation with an advisor.
- Students who pursue the Writing concentration are not required to complete a thesis, although the option is available.
- A thesis is not a requirement for the Professional Writing concentration; however, students are required to complete a professional internship, which offers experiential learning for students to apply theoretical knowledge into a seamless, real-word experience in their field of interest.
See all Graduate Admissions FAQs
Additional Resources
B.A. / M.A. Dual Degree
Department of English
Teaching Assistantship Application (PDF)
Request More Information
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About Seton Hall
One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.
Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.
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1856
Founded by James Roosevelt Bayley
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14
Miles from New York City
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90+
Career-Building Graduate Programs
