lit research masters

Masters (MA) in English Literature | Northwestern SPS - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

• Post-baccalaureate
• Undergraduate
• Professional Development
• Pre-College
• Center for Public Safety
• Get Information

Program Overview

Master's in Literature

Master of Arts in Literature

Through advanced literary study, students grapple with the thought and creative vision of the world’s most remarkable minds. They rediscover and master classic texts while exploring exciting contemporary works, diverse media and genres, and cutting-edge ideas in narrative form and interpretation. Both in their coursework on a broad range of topics and in working with the guidance of a faculty advisor on their Capstone essay, students both become sophisticated interpreters of literary and cinematic texts and develop their broader ability to analyze complex information, challenge assumptions, weigh competing considerations and reach effective conclusions. Graduates of the MALit program are well prepared for application to PhD programs and for success in diverse professional areas from advertising to law. Secondary-school teachers develop a competitive edge by deepening their subject-area knowledge — a key distinction between the MALit program and more general graduate programs in education.

Earn your master's degree entirely online

You can earn your master's degree in literature from Northwestern University in a part-time online format designed to work with students' busy schedules. MALit classes are conducted as live weekly seminars meeting via Zoom. This live online seminar format will allow our students to engage from anywhere in spontaneous real-time discussion with their professors at Northwestern. Students in MALit will now be able to carry out all of the work required for an MA in literature at Northwestern entirely online. 

In a professional sense what made a big difference for me was the opportunity to study with the faculty. One in particular I still work closely with today.”

Paula Derdiger (MALit) PhD, assistant professor, University of Minnesota-Duluth

About the MA in Literature

Program goals, ma in literature specializations, tuition and financial aid, registration information, literature special events.

I had a very good experience at Northwestern. All of my professors were extremely interested in helping all of their students meet whatever their goals after Northwestern were. These have really been most academically exciting and stimulating two years of my career.”

MALit graduates benefit from an interdisciplinary  program that:

• Gives students the opportunity to work closely with Northwestern University’s distinguished world-class instructors
• Provides students with countless opportunities to engage with others who are passionate to rediscover and master classic texts while exploring exciting contemporary works, diverse genres and innovative ideas in narrative form and interpretation
• Develops students’ abilities as critical thinkers and writers, which not only gives them the intellectual tools necessary to carry out advanced literary scholarship at the graduate level, but also provides them with skills more broadly applicable to their work and intellectual life
• Prepares students for application to PhD programs by familiarizing them with a wide range of literary and cinematic genres representing multiple traditions, as well as with cutting-edge theoretical approaches to the interpretation of literature, film and culture

Students must complete nine courses to complete their Master of Arts in Literature degree. Students must complete one core course (LIT 410 Introduction to Graduate Study), seven elective courses and a capstone project. Students can take elective courses that cover a broad range of topics in British, American and world literature, theatre and film across multiple genres and traditions. (Some classes offered by other Northwestern programs may count toward your MALit degree; please consult with your academic advisor)

Students sign up for the final course in the program during the term in which they start their master's thesis. The capstone project for the MALit program is an essay of 40 to 60 double-spaced pages written under the supervision of an approved faculty member. The project presents an opportunity to research and explore a topic thoroughly. Students often elect to expand a seminar paper from a previous course. With the approval of the program director, students may create an interdisciplinary final project rather than a traditional thesis.

Current students should refer to Literature Curriculum requirements in place at time of entry into the program.

Explore Literature Courses . You can narrow your course search by day, location or instructor.

Students who wish to lend more structure to their experience can elect to complete a MA in Literature Specialization . A specialization may be especially beneficial to educators, students who are thinking of going on to a PhD program, or anyone who wants to focus their literary study more precisely. Students complete four thematically linked courses for a specialization. Choose from the five subjects below.

• American literature
• British literature
• Comparative and world literature
• Film, literature, and visual culture
• Interdisciplinary studies

The  Master's in Literature  faculty  is comprised of  dynamic   and distinguished educators.  Get to know the instructors on our Literature Faculty page.

A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the Admission page for SPS graduate programs.

Tuition for the Master's in Literature program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the Literature Tuition and Financial Aid  pages.

Already accepted into the Master's in Literature program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible to ensure maximum efficiency in your trajectory.

• COURSE SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION
• REGISTRATION POLICIES & CONTACTS

The Liberal Studies and Literature lecture series connects MALS and MALit students with Northwestern faculty presenting work from a range of engaging and thought-provoking topics. Visit the SPS events calendar to check for upcoming events. See the Literature Special Events page for summaries and video recordings of past events.

Find out more about Northwestern's MA in Literature

Related programs.