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.
63% of graduates finish within
21 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
$4,125
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!
Average salary increase
$6,734*
Graduates of this program report an average salary increase of $6,734 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
English Education Courses
A curriculum designed for student success by master of education experts.
Program consists of 17 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
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.
17 Courses
Program consists of 17 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 Student Teaching.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Lesson Planning: Designed instruction to increase motivation and enhance student learning.
- Educational Assessment: Developed well-crafted assessments tailored to address specific learning goals, enabling accurate evaluation of student progress.
- Teaching: Successfully implemented diverse instructional strategies to effectively support and enrich student learning, promoting comprehensive understanding and knowledge retention.
- Differentiated Instruction: Effectively selected strategies that support differentiated instruction for all students, ensuring that individual learning needs, abilities, and interests are met, resulting in an inclusive and effective learning environment.
- Classroom Management: Devised effective techniques to promote student organization, task focus, and academic productivity, ensuring an optimal learning environment during class.
- Written Communication: Communicated ideas with clarity and precision through written communication techniques.
“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 chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.
Flexibility You Need
Students choose WGU for their online 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.
Strong Alumni Network
When you enroll in an online master's degree program at WGU, you join an impressive network of teachers. Over 13,000 students graduated from the Teachers College in 2021 alone, taking their skills and impacting the educational system all around the United States.
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.
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.
*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).
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: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 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 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 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 Student Teaching. You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in Preclinical Experiences and Student 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.
Transfer Credits
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.
Student Teaching
To help you prepare to work in classrooms, this program includes a student teaching component. Student Teaching 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 about teaching licensure.
More About the M.A. in Teaching, English Education
- More About This Degree
- More About Teacher Licensure
Teachers with a master’s degree often qualify for higher pay and more advancement opportunities than teachers with just a bachelor’s degree. Pursuing a master’s degree is a great option for current teachers with just a bachelor’s degree who want to add to their credentials and advance further in their teaching career. A master’s degree in English can qualify you for employment or advancement in the following jobs:
- Junior high school English teacher
- High school English teacher
- Junior college English professor
Yes, a master’s in English is absolutely worth it. Earning a degree in this field helps you gain analytical skills that could prepare you for success in many different future endeavors and careers. For instance, an English master’s degree might prepare you for law school or a rewarding career as a writer. A master’s in English teaching could prepare you for a rewarding job as an educator, helping instill in students a love of reading and literature.
A Master of Arts in English Education (also often known as a Master of Arts in Teaching English) prepares you to be an educator and teach English, often at the secondary level. You will learn how to teach English and language arts while working towards licensure and certification. A master’s degree in English education and teaching will get you ready to be an effective guide and instructor for students taking courses in language arts and English.
It depends on your state and which Teachers College program you complete, so it is best to ask your Enrollment Counselor. Typically, teachers with an elementary education license can teach anywhere from kindergarten through 8th grade, and secondary teachers in math, English, or science can teach anywhere from 5th to 12th grades. K–12 special education licenses typically enable teachers to work with students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
It depends on your state and your program, but for most Teachers College programs, Student Teaching is typically about the length of one full traditional school semester. Student teaching is a minimum of 12–16 weeks, but it can be longer in other programs.
WGU has a team that works with you to connect you with schools in your area, and with host teachers that will support you through your Student Teaching.
Your Enrollment Counselor can provide more details about your specific situation. While you can provide recommendations of a school you want to be placed in, generally, our Field Placement Office will be selecting and setting up the placement in the end.
Your Enrollment Counselor has access to an up-to-date database that tracks requirements and eligibility for all WGU programs and all US states and territories, so a conversation with your Enrollment Counselor can quickly verify this for you based on where you live and your desired program.
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
