Graduate Programs in English

Master’s degrees in English 

SUNY Cortland’s English Department offers advanced study in English literatures, professional writing, cultural studies and pedagogy.

Undergraduate students who major in English or professional writing also can join an accelerated 4+1 program that allows them to complete the requirements for a B.A. and M.A. in five years.

Apply now

Program benefits 

  • Outstanding faculty: Study with award-winning professors and accomplished scholars. 
  • Full-time or part-time schedule: Complete the program at a pace that fits best with a work schedule.
  • Affordability: Earn a valuable degree at a low cost, with special funding opportunities for out-of-state and international students.  
  • Teacher certification: Aspiring teachers can gain certification through the M.A.T. program while working teachers complete professional certification through the M.A. program.
  • Location: Graduate students who live in the Central New York, Finger Lakes or Southern Tier regions discover a campus within 45 minutes of Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton.

Career potential 

SUNY Cortland graduate students are prepared to pursue a range of meaningful careers that include education, writing, editing, business, law, non-profit work or further graduate study at the Ph.D. level.  

M.A. in English

Covering diverse genres, time periods and cultural traditions, the program requires 31 credit hours and completion of a master’s thesis. All students are well trained in literary criticism.

Learn More

M.A.T. in Adolescence Education

Offered as a full- or part-time program, the M.A.T. is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are seeking a teaching certificate in adolescence education: English (7-12).

Learn More

4+1 M.A. in English

This accelerated program allows undergraduate English or professional writing majors to complete two degrees in five years, leading up to an M.A. in English from SUNY Cortland.

Learn more

Apply now

Apply now


Contact us

English Department
Old Main, Room 114-C
607-753-2077
english@cortland.edu