Bachelor of Arts (BA)
UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor of Arts in English offers a flexible, engaging path for students who want to explore language, literature, and critical thinking at a deeper level. Through focused study of British, American, and world literatures, students develop strong analytical, writing, and communication skills that translate into success across countless career fields.
Whether you’re preparing for teaching, planning to pursue graduate study, or building a foundation for careers in law, medicine, journalism, editing, communications, diplomacy, advertising, or human resources, the English B.A. equips you with the intellectual versatility and professional readiness employers value.
Bachelor’s in English, Secondary Education
North Carolina needs teachers. UNC Greensboro’s English with High School Licensure program prepares students for the needs of teaching English in grades 9-12. The University’s Department of English and School of Education work together to ensure students graduate with both the theory to support their practice and real-world experiences to prepare them once they graduate. Graduates go on to teach not only in North Carolina, but also in states with which North Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements.
Learn more about successful people with an English degree and why to study English.
master of Arts (MA)
Advance your writing, research, and teaching skills with UNC Greensboro’s Master of Arts in English. This flexible graduate program prepares students for careers in education, publishing, communications, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, and other humanities-centered fields. Graduates also build a strong foundation for doctoral study.
Designed for working professionals and full-time students alike, the program combines personal faculty mentorship, hands-on coursework, and affordable tuition. Students can tailor their experience through one of three concentrations: Thesis, Teaching Composition, or Careers in the Humanities, aligning their studies with their academic interests and professional goals.
MAster of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year residency program with an emphasis on providing studio time for the writing of poetry or fiction. As one of the oldest such programs in the country, the program has been intentionally kept small, enabling students to work one-on-one with faculty in a close-knit community of writers.
Accelerated BA to MA
Considering an MA in English? The Accelerated Master’s Program allows qualified candidates to complete the MA more quickly without as much financial cost by counting up to 12 hours of coursework toward both your BA and MA, saving time and money while still getting an advanced degree.
Qualified UNCG undergraduate students may apply for admission to the Accelerated Master’s Program in English.
PhD in English
Advance your scholarship and shape the future of the humanities through UNC Greensboro’s Ph.D. in English. This rigorous doctoral program prepares students for careers in higher education, research, writing, and other professions that value advanced expertise in language, literature, rhetoric, and critical inquiry.
Students work closely with faculty mentors while pursuing original research in one of 12 specialization areas spanning British and American literature, literary theory, and rhetoric and composition. Through a combination of advanced coursework, teaching experience, and scholarly engagement, doctoral students develop the knowledge and professional skills needed to contribute to their fields as researchers, educators, and leaders.
MA Doctoral Track
Individuals intending to continue on to doctoral studies in English at UNC Greensboro may apply to the M.A. Doctoral Track, which offers exceptionally well-qualified applicants the opportunity to gain admission to the master’s and doctoral programs simultaneously. This program is designed for students who would like to obtain their M.A. and then proceed directly to the Ph.D. program. Students accepted into the Doctoral Track must fulfill all requirements for the M.A. and the Ph.D. and will earn both degrees. Students not accepted into the M.A. Doctoral Track may still be accepted into the M.A. only.