coursework load for online MA in English Literature

I know this is kind of vague but i'm curious what the course work load would be for an online MA in English. I know it would depend on what program so i'm not looking for any definitive answers. Just curious if anyone knows what to expect.

 

In general, schools will estimate that you need 15 hours of study time per week per course. A program such as English Lit is likely to be very reading/writing intensive and so the time required may depend on how quickly you read and how quickly you can crank out an essay.

 

You can expect to read, read, read, and write, write, write. Depending on the course, (based on the MAIS @ Western New Mexico University - English & Writing) you can expect to read four to six books each term and write approximately 100 pages. I would estimate that I spent about 20-25 hours of study time per week for each class. The degree was intense and challenging but very interesting. I am committed to two terms of adjunct teaching English Comp. and American Literature (with the possibility of going full-time) and the two terms of 3 courses each will pay for the degree. WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY is a fantastic school - student friendly, state school, great instructors, and cost efficient if you take six or less credit hours per term; you can take more in the two summer terms. PM me if I can give you more info on WNMU.

 

Many online programs that have 8 week terms (six terms per year) consider one course (or 3 units) part-time and two courses (6 units) full-time. If you work full-time and need financial aid to study, there won't be much flexibility with your course load (you can't go below half-time, however the school's financial aid office defines it).

As far as the work goes, English programs are very reading & writing intensive. A friend of mine who completed two online graduate English courses at SNHU said that she read, on average, two novels & two short stories (or three lengthy essays and six poems) per week for each course (she took two courses in one term) and that she had no life.

Good luck!

 

sounds like a lot of study time.

Right now I work 40 hrs a week but if I take graduate courses I'm going to try to work only 4 days a week.

has having a MAIS helped in landing a teaching job? I was contemplating an MA in English Literature or an MA in Humanities.

 

i'm probably going to take 6 credits a semester.

was it easier to get a teaching job with a MAIS? I was thinking of either an MA in English Literature or Humanities. I'm leaning towards English Literature because I like the idea of immersing myself into one discipline.

Hows the format at WNMU? I guess i'm asking how much different bachelor degree courses are from MA courses. Do you have weekly assignments? Multiple papers for each class throughout the term? If so how long are the papers?